Butanediol (BDO)
INVISTA uses its Butanediol (1.4 BDO) to make a variety of esters, including monomeric plasticizers. It is also used in the engineering of plastic polybutylene terephtalate (PBT) and polyester glycols with low molecular weight.
BDO is used in the hard segments of polyurethanes, particularly those made with MDI. Because BDO produces a good balance between hardness and low temperature flexibility, it is used a cross linker and a chain extender. BDO is also found in the soft segments of polyurethanes, acting as polyesterdioles, such as polybutylene adipate glycol. When BDO reacts with various dibasic acids, such as adipic and sebacic acid, polyester glycols in polyurethanes and are formed.
Polyesters such as poly (butylene adipate) glycol yield urethanes with excellent resistance to oils, solvents and ultraviolet light. These urethanes also have responsive mechanical properties at room and elevated temperatures, as well as high resistance to flexing and abrasion. Urethanes made from polyester glycols are polar and generally show better metal adhesion than those derived from polyethers.
