DABCO® T 12

DABCO® T 12 finds greatest use in the manufacture of rigid polyurethane foams. In demanding applications where amine catalysis alone is inadequate, the extra activity obtained by the synergistic combination of organometallics like DABCO® T 12 with an amine catalyst permits the required rapid catalysis. Examples include high density structural foam, spray-up wall insulation and rigid boardstock run at high line speeds. Even when used at levels as low as 0.1 phr based on polyol, DABCO® T 12 is especially effective in promoting rapid gel and tack-free times. Tetravalent diorganotins like DABCO® T 12 are known throughout the industry as promoters of the reaction of isocyanates with polyols to form polyurethanes, and of the secondary crosslinking reactions to form allophonate and biuret linkages.
Because of this selectivity for polymerization, DABCO® T 12 is often a benchmark in the catalysis of polyurethane systems including two component adhesives and moisture-cure coatings, where the oxidative stability of tetravalent tins permits masterbatching of components.
Use-life and retention of catalytic activity of such a masterbatch are dependent upon the presence of amines, moisture and other additives as well as on the storage temperatures. Organotin carboxylates will hydrolyze like any ester, so applications demanding specific pot lives should be laboratory screened first.