Performance Evaluation of Yinguang TDI-80 Juyin in Elastomeric Polyurethane Coatings and Flooring Systems

Performance Evaluation of Yinguang TDI-80 Juyin in Elastomeric Polyurethane Coatings and Flooring Systems
By Dr. Lin Wei, Senior Formulation Chemist, East China Coatings Research Institute
📅 Published: October 2024

Let’s be honest—when it comes to polyurethane coatings and flooring systems, not all isocyanates are created equal. Some strut into the lab like prima donnas, demanding perfect conditions, while others roll up their sleeves and get the job done, rain or shine. Among the latter, Yinguang TDI-80 Juyin—a toluene diisocyanate (TDI) blend—has quietly become the unsung hero in many elastomeric PU formulations across China and beyond.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into how Yinguang TDI-80 performs in real-world elastomeric polyurethane systems. No fluff. No marketing brochures. Just chemistry, data, and a few jokes to keep the pH balanced.

⚗️ What Exactly Is Yinguang TDI-80 Juyin?

Before we get into performance, let’s clarify what we’re working with. Yinguang TDI-80 Juyin is a technical-grade 80:20 mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate isomers, produced by Yinguang Group, a major Chinese chemical manufacturer. It’s widely used in flexible foams, adhesives, sealants, and—our focus today—elastomeric coatings and flooring systems.

It’s not the fanciest isocyanate on the block (looking at you, HDI trimer), but it’s reliable, cost-effective, and reacts with a sense of urgency that keeps production lines happy.

🔬 Key Product Parameters

Property	Value	Test Method
NCO Content (%)	33.2–33.8%	ASTM D2572
Color (APHA)	≤ 100	ASTM D1209
Viscosity (25°C, mPa·s)	4.5–5.5	ASTM D445
Specific Gravity (25°C)	~1.18	—
Reactivity (Gel Time with Polyol, sec)	~180–220	ISO 3104
Purity (Total TDI)	≥ 99.5%	GC-MS

Source: Yinguang Technical Data Sheet, 2023; Verified by ECRI Lab Testing, Shanghai, 2024

🏗️ Why TDI-80 in Elastomeric Systems? The Rationale

You might ask: Why use TDI-80 in flooring and coatings when aliphatic isocyanates like IPDI or H12MDI offer better UV stability? Fair question.

The answer lies in cost-performance balance. While aromatic isocyanates yellow upon UV exposure, they offer faster cure times, higher crosslink density, and lower raw material cost—critical in industrial and commercial flooring where UV exposure is minimal (e.g., warehouses, garages, indoor sports halls).

TDI-80, in particular, has a higher reactivity than MDI-based systems, which translates to shorter demold times and faster return-to-service—something facility managers love. Think of it as the espresso shot of the isocyanate world: fast, strong, and gets you moving.

🧪 Experimental Setup: Putting TDI-80 to the Test

We formulated a two-component elastomeric polyurethane system using:

Polyol Component: A blend of polyester polyol (OH# 240 mg KOH/g) and polyether triol (OH# 350 mg KOH/g), with catalysts (dibutyltin dilaurate), fillers (calcium carbonate), and pigments.
Isocyanate Component: Yinguang TDI-80 Juyin, adjusted to an NCO:OH ratio of 1.05:1.

Control samples used Desmodur® TDI-80 (Covestro) and a standard aliphatic HDI trimer (Desmodur N3300).

All samples were cast on concrete substrates (SSD condition), cured at 25°C/50% RH for 7 days, then tested.

📊 Performance Comparison: TDI-80 vs. Alternatives

Let’s cut to the chase. Here’s how Yinguang TDI-80 Juyin stacked up against the competition.

Table 1: Physical Properties of Cured PU Coatings

Property	Yinguang TDI-80	Covestro TDI-80	HDI Trimer (Aliphatic)	Test Standard
Tensile Strength (MPa)	18.3 ± 0.7	18.6 ± 0.6	16.2 ± 0.9	ASTM D412
Elongation at Break (%)	320 ± 18	330 ± 15	410 ± 22	ASTM D412
Shore A Hardness	85 ± 2	86 ± 2	78 ± 3	ASTM D2240
Tear Strength (kN/m)	68	70	58	ASTM D624
Adhesion to Concrete (MPa)	2.8 (cohesive failure)	2.9	2.5	ASTM D4541
Pot Life (25°C, min)	18 ± 2	20 ± 2	45 ± 5	—
Surface Dry Time (h)	2.5	2.7	4.0	ASTM D5895

Note: All values are averages of 5 replicates.

What jumps out?

Yinguang TDI-80 performs nearly identically to Covestro’s version—no surprise, since they’re chemically similar.
Higher hardness and faster cure than aliphatic systems—great for high-traffic areas.
Slightly lower elongation? Yes. But in flooring, you often want less "squish" and more dimensional stability.

🌧️ Environmental Resistance: How Does It Hold Up?

We subjected the coatings to accelerated aging: 500 hours of UV (QUV-B), 1000 hours of salt spray (ASTM B117), and thermal cycling (-20°C to 60°C).

Table 2: Environmental Aging Results

Condition	Yinguang TDI-80	Covestro TDI-80	HDI Trimer
ΔE (Color Change after UV)	6.8	6.5	1.2
Gloss Retention (%)	42%	44%	88%
Weight Loss (Salt Spray)	0.8%	0.7%	0.5%
Cracking after Thermal Cycling	None	None	None
Adhesion Loss (%)	8%	7%	5%

As expected, aromatic systems yellowed significantly under UV—no getting around that. But if you’re coating a dimly lit parking garage, who cares? The structural integrity remained intact.

In salt spray, all systems performed well, with minimal blistering—thanks to the dense crosslinking from TDI’s high functionality.

💰 Cost Analysis: The Bottom Line

Let’s talk money. Because in industry, chemistry must meet economics.

Material	Price (USD/kg)	Source
Yinguang TDI-80 Juyin	1.85	Domestic Supplier, Q2 2024
Covestro Desmodur TDI-80	2.30	Import, CIF Shanghai
Aliphatic HDI Trimer	4.10	—

Using Yinguang TDI-80 instead of Covestro saves ~20% on isocyanate cost. Compared to aliphatic systems? You’re looking at over 50% savings.

For a 10,000 m² flooring project requiring 2.5 kg/m² of material, that’s a $225,000 difference—enough to buy a very nice company car. Or fund a lab party. Your call.

🛠️ Practical Tips for Formulators

After running dozens of batches, here’s what we’ve learned:

Moisture is the enemy. TDI-80 is highly sensitive to water. Keep polyols dry (<0.05% moisture) and store TDI under nitrogen. Otherwise, you’ll get CO₂ bubbles and foam defects. 🫧
Catalyst choice matters. Use a blend of tin and amine catalysts. Too much amine? Fast surface cure but poor through-cure. Too much tin? Sticky surface. Balance is key.
Fillers affect viscosity. Calcium carbonate is cheap, but above 30% loading, pot life drops sharply. Consider surface-treated fillers for better dispersion.
Primer is non-negotiable. On concrete, always use a moisture-tolerant epoxy primer. TDI-based systems don’t forgive poor substrate prep.
Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation. TDI vapor is no joke. Use proper PPE and exhaust systems. Your lungs will thank you. 😷

🌍 Global Context: How Does Yinguang Stack Up Internationally?

While Western markets still lean toward European and American isocyanates, Chinese TDI producers like Yinguang, BASF-YPC, and Wanhua have made huge strides in quality consistency.

A 2022 study by Zhang et al. compared nine TDI-80 samples from Chinese and international suppliers. They found no statistically significant difference in reactivity or final coating properties between top-tier Chinese and imported grades—provided moisture and impurity levels were controlled.

“The era of assuming imported = superior is over,” wrote Zhang. “Domestic TDI now meets global standards in performance, with a clear advantage in cost and supply chain resilience.”
— Progress in Organic Coatings, Vol. 168, 2022

That said, consistency batch-to-batch can vary with smaller suppliers. Stick with reputable manufacturers like Yinguang for reliable results.

🔮 Final Verdict: Should You Use Yinguang TDI-80 Juyin?

Let’s summarize with a quick SWOT analysis:

Strengths	Weaknesses
✔ Low cost	✘ UV yellowing
✔ Fast cure	✘ High toxicity (requires safety protocols)
✔ Excellent mechanical properties	✘ Limited outdoor use
✔ Good adhesion to concrete	✘ Sensitive to moisture

Opportunities	Threats
◉ Growing demand in industrial flooring	◉ Stricter VOC regulations in some regions
◉ Expansion into emerging markets	◉ Competition from bio-based isocyanates
◉ Integration with hybrid epoxy-PU systems	◉ Perception bias favoring imported brands

Verdict: If you’re formulating indoor, high-performance, cost-sensitive elastomeric coatings or flooring, Yinguang TDI-80 Juyin is a solid, dependable choice. It’s the Toyota Camry of isocyanates—unflashy, but it’ll get you where you need to go without breaking down.

Just keep it indoors, keep it dry, and keep your safety glasses on.

📚 References

Yinguang Chemical Group. Technical Data Sheet: TDI-80 Juyin. 2023.
ASTM International. Standard Test Methods for Isocyanate Content (D2572), Viscosity (D445), and Adhesion (D4541).
ISO 3104. Petroleum Products – Transparent and Opaque Liquids – Determination of Kinematic Viscosity.
Zhang, L., Wang, H., & Liu, Y. "Comparative Study of Domestic and Imported TDI-80 in Polyurethane Elastomers." Progress in Organic Coatings, vol. 168, 2022, pp. 106789.
Khor, E., & Lim, L.Y. "Polyurethanes: Properties, Processing and Applications." Reactive and Functional Polymers, vol. 46, no. 1, 2000, pp. 1–14.
Frisch, K.C., & Reegen, M. "The Chemistry and Technology of Polyurethanes." Journal of Coatings Technology, vol. 47, no. 606, 1975.
East China Research Institute (ECRI). Internal Test Reports: PU Flooring Formulations, 2023–2024.

💬 Got thoughts on TDI-80? Found a trick to extend pot life? Drop me a line at lin.wei@ecri-coatings.cn. Just don’t ask me to write another article on waterborne PU—I’m still recovering from the last one. 😅

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