In Situ IR Study on Polyurethane Reactions

Understand and Optimize TPU Processes

In Situ IR Study of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Reactions

The application of in situ IR spectroscopy has been widely used in industry for decades. The method can provide more insightful information on the reaction, which includes the reaction kinetics and possible intermediate(s) involved. Such information drives innovation in process modification and optimization. Lubrizol Advanced Materials is one of the leading manufacturers of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) globally. TPUs are engineered polymers that can be tailored chemically to be used in variety of applications. They bridge the gap between rubbers and plastic due to their unique performance, flexibility and melt processability.

In this webinar, applications of using in situ IR spectroscopy to monitor the TPU reaction were discussed, including:

Optimization of the mixing method in a polyurethane reaction
Determination of the reaction endpoint by examining the residual isocyanate level
Correction of non-linear response of isocyanate level in prepolymer reaction

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The role of PAT differs drastically when it is used for development, scale-up or production purposes. With such changing roles, changes in the number of techniques and frequency of use are also observed. In this talk, these differences are described, and examples are shown for each of the roles. The talk then focusses on lab-to-plant scale-up. How can PAT be used to verify or deny a correct scale-up and, in the latter case, help in finding out why the scale-up was not successful. The fingerprint concept is explained, as well as recent advances on how to bring PAT data from the lab into the plant to allow for a Live verification and data analysis during batch scale-up.

Presenter(s): William Wang - Lubrizol Advanced Materials

Duration: 24 Minutes

Language: English

Xianghuai (William) Wang – Lubrizol Advanced Materials

Xianghuai (William) Wang received his PhD in Physical Chemistry from University of Science and Technology of China for the study of the high-resolution and high sensitivity infrared molecular spectroscopy. He then held Post-Doctoral positions at Northwestern University, UCLA and Bowling Green State University, using various spectroscopic method (IR, NIR, Raman, fluorescence, transient state UV-Vis, etc.) to study different materials. He stared his career in industry with Dow Corning, focusing on IR/Raman/NIR spectroscopy study on silicone and silane material. Currently, he is a Principal Research Scientist within the Measurement Science department at Lubrizol. His research interest is to apply in situ monitoring spectroscopic technique in process control from small lab scale to manufacture scale. He has published 40 peer-reviewed articles and submitted 6 patent applications.