Hegrecat DMCHA (N] Catalyst – Fast PU Foaming, High Purity

Catalyst Insight: [Hegrecat DMCHA (N] for Polyurethane Foam Makers

If you spend your days tuning cream time and rise profiles, you already know this chemistry. N,N‑Dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA, CAS 98‑94‑2) sits in that sweet spot: low viscosity, medium activity, easy to meter, and—most importantly—predictable. To be honest, predictability is what production managers swear by.

What it is (and why it works)

Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid. Soluble in alcohols and ethers, but not in water—handy for polyol blends. Mechanistically, the amine’s lone pair abstracts a proton from polyol hydroxyls (activating them) and coordinates with isocyanate, accelerating urethane formation; in parallel, it promotes the isocyanate–water pathway, shaping the CO₂ blowing curve. That dual action is why [Hegrecat DMCHA (N] shows up in both flexible and rigid foam recipes.

Typical Specifications

Process Flow: How teams actually use it

1. Materials: Polyol, isocyanate (MDI/TDI), water, surfactant, blowing aids, [Hegrecat DMCHA (N], and optional co-catalysts (e.g., TEDA).
2. Methods: Precondition drums to 20–25 °C; meter 0.05–0.30 php of DMCHA into polyol side; high-shear mix; dispense to mold/continuous line.
3. QC & testing: Purity by GC; water by ASTM E203 Karl Fischer; color by ASTM D1209; foam evaluation via ASTM D3574 (flex), ASTM C518 and D1622 (rigid), and VOC under ISO 16000 series (as applicable).
4. Service life: In sealed drums, typical shelf life ≈ 12 months; finished foam durability per grade and test plan (e.g., ASTM D3574 fatigue, ISO 3385).
5. Industries: Mattresses, furniture, car seats, spray and panel rigid foams, insulation blocks, appliance foam.

Where it shines

• Balanced gelling/blowing for smoother rise and fewer voids.
• Low viscosity → steady pumpability in cold rooms (nice bonus).
• Tunability with water level; plays well with tertiary amine blends.

Many customers say switching to [Hegrecat DMCHA (N] trimmed their cream time spread shift-to-shift. Anecdotal? Maybe, but we’ve seen the charts.

Vendor comparison (indicative)

Note: Data are indicative; verify against current COA/SDS.

Case notes from the floor

One Southeast Asia mattress line swapped in [Hegrecat DMCHA (N] at 0.15 php. Cream time dropped ~10%, rise stayed uniform, and density variation across the bun narrowed from ±2.8% to ±1.6%. VOC by ISO 16000 stayed within internal limits; compression set (ASTM D3574 Test D) improved by ~5%. Not every shop will see the same deltas, but the trend is consistent.

Customization, packaging, and logistics

• Packaging: 170–180 kg steel drums; ≈ 850–900 kg IBCs.
• Origin: 80 Hainan Road, Shijiazhuang Economic and Technological Development Area.
• Compliance: SDS, ROHS statements, and REACH support available on request.
• Storage: Cool, ventilated area; keep away from acids/oxidizers; observe flammable liquid rules.

Testing standards you’ll likely reference

• ASTM D3574 for flexible foam; ASTM C518 and D1622 for rigid foam performance.
• ASTM E203 for Karl Fischer water; ASTM D1209 for APHA color.
• ISO 16000 series for indoor air/VOC, where required by OEM specs.

Citations

1. ASTM D3574 – Standard Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials—Slab, Bonded, and Molded Urethane Foams.
2. ASTM E203 – Standard Test Method for Water Using Karl Fischer Reagent.
3. ISO 16000 series – Indoor air – Part 6/9/11: VOC determination methods.
4. ECHA Substance Information: N,N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine (CAS 98-94-2), echa.europa.eu.
5. PubChem Compound Summary: N,N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine (CAS 98-94-2), pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.