Abstract: Iron contaminants are associated with a beta-dicarbonyl in an isocyanate composition that includes polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (PMDI). The association of the iron contaminant and the beta-dicarbonyl is thought to minimize a catalytic effect of the iron contaminant when the isocyanate composition is reacted with a polyol to form a polyurethane. The iron contaminant is associated with the beta-dicarbonyl in a method that includes the step of providing the isocyanate composition and the step of combining the beta-dicarbonyl and the isocyanate composition. The isocyanate composition is included in a polyurethane system and typically includes the association product of the iron contaminant and the beta-dicarbonyl.

Abstract: An isocyanate prepolymer is made by providing an isocyanate component. A phosphite that is free of active hydrogen groups is introduced into the isocyanate component. An isocyanate-reactive component and a stoichiometric excess of the isocyanate component are reacted in the presence of the phosphite to make the isocyanate prepolymer. A polyurethane foam is made by reacting the isocyanate prepolymer and a second isocyanate-reactive component in the presence of a blowing agent. A composite article is made by forming an elastomeric layer on the outer surface of the polyurethane foam core. Due to the presence of the phosphite during reaction of the isocyanate component and the isocyanate-reactive component to make the isocyanate prepolymer, more efficient use of the phosphite is made, and the full color-reducing effect of the phosphite on the polyurethane foam is realized.

Abstract: A uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition has reduced color. The uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition comprises a polyisocyanate composition having two or more isocyanate groups and comprising 4,4?-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and a catalyst for catalyzing a reaction of the isocyanate groups to form carbodiimides available for forming uretonimines and uretonimine oligomers. A first quenching agent partially quenches the reaction of the isocyanate groups to inhibit formation of the carbodiimides thereby inhibiting additional formation of uretonimines and uretonimine oligomers and a second quenching agent different than the first quenching agent quenches the reaction of the isocyanate groups to further inhibit formation of the carbodiimides thereby further inhibiting additional formation of uretonimines and uretonimine oligomers. A method of forming the uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition having reduced color and a method of forming the same is disclosed. The method of forming the uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition comprises providing a polyisocyanate composition having two or more isocyanate groups and reacting the polyisocyanate composition at a temperature in a range of from about 80° C. to about 130° C. and in the presence of a catalyst. The reaction of the polyisocyanate composition is quenched with a quenching agent and a color inhibitor having a low basicity and having at least one hindered amine group is added. The uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition has a color value corresponding to an a* value of greater than about ?10 and a b* value less than about 10 as defined by CIE L*a*b* (CIELAB) Color Space Specification and undergoes a % NCO group decrease of less than about 6 %.

Abstract: An isocyanate prepolymer is made by providing an isocyanate component. A phosphite that is free of active hydrogen groups is introduced into the isocyanate component. An isocyanate-reactive component and a stoichiometric excess of the isocyanate component are reacted in the presence of the phosphite to make the isocyanate prepolymer. A polyurethane foam is made by reacting the isocyanate prepolymer and a second isocyanate-reactive component in the presence of a blowing agent. A composite article is made by forming an elastomeric layer on the outer surface of the polyurethane foam core. Due to the presence of the phosphite during reaction of the isocyanate component and the isocyanate-reactive component to make the isocyanate prepolymer, more efficient use of the phosphite is made, and the full color-reducing effect of the phosphite on the polyurethane foam is realized.

Abstract: A uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition has reduced color. The uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition comprises a polyisocyanate composition having two or more isocyanate groups and comprising 4,4?-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and a catalyst for catalyzing a reaction of the isocyanate groups to form carbodiimides available for forming uretonimines and uretonimine oligomers. A first quenching agent partially quenches the reaction of the isocyanate groups to inhibit formation of the carbodiimides thereby inhibiting additional formation of uretonimines and uretonimine oligomers and a second quenching agent different than the first quenching agent quenches the reaction of the isocyanate groups to further inhibit formation of the carbodiimides thereby further inhibiting additional formation of uretonimines and uretonimine oligomers. A method of forming the uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lignocellulosic composite material and a method for preparing the lignocellulosic composite material are disclosed. The composite material includes lignocellulosic particles and a binder resin being a mixture of a polyisocyanate component and a release agent. The release agent is formed from a first component having hydroxyl groups and a second component having isocyanate groups in excess of the hydroxyl groups. The first component is selected from at least one of i) an acid phosphate and ii) pyrophosphates represented by those derived from the acid phosphates (i) and mixtures of the acid phosphates (i). The first component is passivated by mixing it with the second component which is preferably monomeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate selected from at least one of diphenylmethane-4,4?-diisocyanate, diphenylmethane-2,4?-diisocyanate, and diphenylmethane-2,2?-diisocyanate.

Abstract: A method produces a uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition having increased low-temperature tolerance. The method comprises providing a polyisocyanate composition comprising 4,4?-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and reacting the polyisocyanate composition at a temperature of from about 90° C. to about 115° C. in the presence of a catalyst, and optionally a co-catalyst, such that the isocyanate groups react to form uretonimine oligomers. The reaction of the polyisocyanate composition is quenched with a quenching agent to produce an intermediate composition having an intermediate isocyanate value from about 25.5 to about 28.5. A second polyisocyanate composition is added to the intermediate composition in an amount sufficient to produce the uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition having a final isocyanate value of from about 29.0 to about 29.5.

Abstract: A uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition has reduced color. The uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition comprises a polyisocyanate composition having two or more isocyanate groups and comprising 4,4?-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and a catalyst for catalyzing a reaction of the isocyanate groups to form carbodiimides available for forming uretonimines and uretonimine oligomers. A first quenching agent partially quenches the reaction of the isocyanate groups to inhibit formation of the carbodiimides thereby inhibiting additional formation of uretonimines and uretonimine oligomers and a second quenching agent different than the first quenching agent quenches the reaction of the isocyanate groups to further inhibit formation of the carbodiimides thereby further inhibiting additional formation of uretonimines and uretonimine oligomers. A method of forming the uretonimine-modified isocyanate composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lignocellulosic composite material and a method for preparing the lignocellulosic composite material are disclosed. The composite material includes lignocellulosic particles and a binder resin being a mixture of a polyisocyanate component and a release agent. The release agent is formed from a first component having hydroxyl groups and a second component having isocyanate groups in excess of the hydroxyl groups. The first component is selected from at least one of i) an acid phosphate and ii) pyrophosphates represented by those derived from the acid phosphates (i) and mixtures of the acid phosphates (i). The first component is passivated by mixing it with the second component which is preferably monomeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate selected from at least one of diphenylmethane-4,4?-diisocyanate, diphenylmethane-2,4?-diisocyanate, and diphenylmethane-2,2?-diisocyanate.