Polycarbonate polyols for high-performance PU dispersions
Polycarbonate diols (PCDs) are diols with carbonate units, and they enable increased durability to polyurethanes (PUs) due to high cohesion energy of carbonate units. PCDs are therefore mainly used in high end applications requiring high durability, such as synthetic leather for automotive, soft feel paint for automotive interior parts, mobile phone coatings and so on. There are two types of PCDs: solid type and liquid type. The liquid PCDs offer both flexibility and durability compared to the solid homo type PCD of 1,6-hexanediol, which is widely used in general.
In recent years, the goal of achieving a sustainable society has become an important issue, and various methods are being explored to help achieve that goal. The main approaches of urethanes have included using bio-based raw materials, recycling PUs and reducing solvents used in synthesis of PUs. In water systematization, PUDs are one of the solutions.