Using the broad range of unique polycaprolactone polyols available from Gantrade and Daicel Corporation, formulators can custom-tailor polyurethanes to achieve greater levels of performance. Polycaprolactone polyols in polyurethanes can enhance the capabilities of existing polyurethanes or enter new applications by displacing other material systems, such as rubber and epoxies.
We have written in this space about different performance polyols used to achieve the desired performance of elastomers in various applications. In addition to the disocianate type, polyols offer formulators an ability to achieve a variety of processing and performance advantages.
Caprolactone monomer is a reactive cyclic-lactone ester which is easily ring-opening polymerized to produce a wide variety of performance intermediates with advanced polymer architectures based on the polycaprolactone unit.
All polyol classes used in polyurethanes have a set of unique attributes that make them useful as the soft-segment in specific polyurethane elastomer applications.
Polycaprolactone polyols are a special class of polyester polyols preferred in polyurethane elastomer applications where high dynamic durability, broad temperature profiles, very good hydrolysis resistance, and exceptional elastomeric properties are required. Polyester polyols, as a class, are generally selected for urethane applications where high tensile strength and tear resistance, sliding abrasion resistance, flex fatigue resistance, oil, grease and solvent resistance, and high temperature and oxidative stability are needed.
Polycaprolactone polyols are considered a special class of aliphatic polyester polyols, used as the soft block segment of high-performance polyurethane elastomers. The polycaprolactone polyols can be produced with very low acid values; perfect end-termination functionality; and narrow molecular weight distributions (MWD). These features manifest themselves in polyurethanes characterized by the following property profile, many of which are best-in-class performance attributes.
