Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-10-28 Origin: Site
Polymer hydrolysis is a silent yet devastating threat to materials containing ester, urethane, or amide functional groups. In environments with high temperature and humidity—think automotive underhood components, medical devices, or outdoor textiles—water molecules infiltrate polymer chains, attacking these bonds and triggering chain scission. The result? A rapid decline in mechanical properties like tensile strength and flexibility, shortened product lifespans, and costly failures. For industries relying on polymers such as polyester polyols, polyurethane elastomers, or biodegradable plastics, addressing hydrolysis is not just a quality concern—it’s a business imperative. This is where Carbodiimide Anti-hydrolysis Agents emerge as a transformative solution, and our company’s Bio-SAH™ series stands at the forefront of this innovation.
At their core, carbodiimides are organic compounds defined by the characteristic –N=C=N– functional group. This unique structure equips them to combat polymer hydrolysis by intercepting and neutralizing the byproducts of bond degradation. Unlike generic anti-hydrolysis additives, carbodiimides offer targeted, reactive protection, making them indispensable for polymers vulnerable to hydrolytic attack.Our company has developed a comprehensive lineup of carbodiimide anti-hydrolysis agents under the Bio-SAH™ brand, engineered to meet diverse industry needs:
| Product Model | Chemical Type | Form | Key Features |
Monomeric Carbodiimide | White Crystalline Powder | High purity (≥99%), insoluble in water, ideal for dry polymer blends | |
Polymeric Carbodiimide | Light Yellow Transparent Liquid | Viscous (1000-6000 mPa·s), water-soluble, perfect for liquid polymer matrices | |
Polymeric Carbodiimide | Light Yellow Powder | High carbodiimide content (≥12%), heat-resistant (TGA loss <5% at 330℃) |
These formulations reflect our commitment to innovation—each variant is designed to integrate seamlessly into specific polymer systems, delivering consistent anti-hydrolysis performance.
To fully grasp the value of carbodiimide anti-hydrolysis agents, one must understand the step-by-step process of polymer hydrolysis and how carbodiimides intervene:
Polymers with ester (–COO–), urethane (–NHCOO–), or amide (–CONH–) groups are prime targets for water molecules. In a humid or aqueous environment, H₂O molecules react with these functional groups, breaking them into carboxylic acids (–COOH) and corresponding alcohol or amine byproducts. For example, in a polyester chain:Polyester Chain + H₂O → Carboxylic Acid + Polyol FragmentThis chain scission is cumulative—once initiated, it accelerates, leading to catastrophic material failure.
Here’s where our Bio-SAH™ carbodiimides take action. The –N=C=N– group in carbodiimides reacts readily with the carboxylic acid byproducts formed during hydrolysis. This reaction yields a stable urea linkage (–NHCONH–), effectively “trapping” the acidic species that would otherwise catalyze further hydrolysis. The reaction mechanism is:Carbodiimide (–N=C=N–) + Carboxylic Acid (–COOH) → Urea (–NHCONH–) + CO₂By removing carboxylic acids from the system, carbodiimides halt the autocatalytic cycle of hydrolysis. For instance, our Bio-SAH™ 362Powder, with its highly reactive monomeric structure, rapidly scavenges even trace amounts of carboxylic acids, while polymeric variants like Bio-SAH™ 342Liquid and 372N provide sustained protection through multiple reactive sites along their polymer chains.
The Bio-SAH™ series isn’t just another anti-hydrolysis additive—it’s an engineered solution with multiple layers of advantage, addressing both performance and manufacturing challenges.
Mechanical Property Retention: Tests show that polymers formulated with our carbodiimides retain >90% of their initial tensile strength and elongation after 5,000 hours of accelerated aging at 85℃/85% RH—far exceeding the <70% retention of unprotected polymers.
Lifespan Extension: In real-world applications like PU adhesive or TPU shoes material, products with Bio-SAH™ agents demonstrate a 2–3x increase in service life compared to unprotected counterparts.
Broad Polymer Compatibility: Effective across ester-based engineering plastics (PET, PBT, PC), polyurethanes (TPU, CPU), biodegradable materials (PLA, PBAT), and more—making it a versatile choice for multi-material supply chains.
Traditional anti-hydrolysis agents often rely on thiourea-based manufacturing, which introduces sulfur residues, odor, and discoloration. Our proprietary isocyanate condensation process sets Bio-SAH™ apart:
Feature | Our Isocyanate Condensation Process | Traditional Thiourea Process |
Purity | ≥99% (e.g., Bio-SAH™ 362Powder) | Typically <90% |
Reactivity | High (rapid carboxylic acid scavenging) | Moderate to Low |
Residues | Sulfur-free | Contains Sulfur Residues |
Sensory Impact | Odorless, Non-discoloring | May Have Odor, Causes Yellowing |
This process ensures our carbodiimides are ideal for applications where aesthetics and purity matter—such as food-contact materials (FDA-certified grades available) or clear polymers like PC and PET.
Every polymer processing workflow is unique, so we’ve developed Bio-SAH™ in multiple forms:
Solid Crystalline (Bio-SAH™ 362Powder): Perfect for dry blending with thermoplastics like PA or PBT during extrusion. Its high purity and water-insolubility make it stable in moisture-sensitive environments.
Liquid (Bio-SAH™ 342Liquid): A viscous, water-soluble formulation designed for liquid systems like polyester polyols or PU adhesives. It disperses uniformly, ensuring consistent protection.
Powdered Polymer (Bio-SAH™ 372N): Offers high carbodiimide content (≥12%) and thermal stability (TGA loss <5% at 330℃), making it suitable for high-temperature processing like engineering plastic compounding.
The versatility of Bio-SAH™ carbodiimides shines across a spectrum of industries, each with its unique hydrolysis challenges.
Ester-based engineering plastics are workhorses in automotive, electronics, and consumer goods—but they’re prone to hydrolysis in humid conditions. For example, PET bottle preforms exposed to high-temperature wash cycles or PA66 automotive connectors in underhood environments suffer rapid degradation. Our Bio-SAH™ agents, especially the monomeric 362Powder or polymeric 372N, integrate into these resins during compounding, forming a protective barrier against water-induced chain scission. In field tests, PBT components with Bio-SAH™ maintained their dimensional stability and electrical insulation properties for over 10,000 hours in 90℃/95% RH chambers—critical for automotive electronics reliability.
From medical catheters to industrial seals, polyurethane elastomers demand flexibility and durability. Hydrolysis causes them to harden and crack, rendering them useless. Bio-SAH™ 342Liquid, with its water solubility and high reactivity, is often added during TPU synthesis. This ensures uniform distribution of carbodiimide groups throughout the elastomer matrix. In a comparative study, TPU samples with Bio-SAH™ 342Liquid retained 95% of their original tear strength after 2 years of outdoor exposure, while unprotected samples lost 50% strength in just 6 months.
The rise of biodegradable plastics is a key trend in sustainable packaging and consumer goods—but controlling their hydrolysis is a delicate balance. These materials need to resist premature degradation during storage/use but still degrade on schedule in composting conditions. Our carbodiimides, particularly Bio-SAH™ 342Liquid (for liquid formulations like PBAT) and 372N (for powdered blends like PLA), provide controlled anti-hydrolysis protection. They slow down unwanted hydrolysis during shelf life without inhibiting intended biodegradation. A recent case study with a PLA food container manufacturer showed that adding Bio-SAH™ 372N reduced in-storage hydrolysis by 70% while maintaining full compostability.
Polyurethane adhesives in footwear or automotive laminates fail when hydrolysis weakens bond strength. Bio-SAH™ 342Liquid, added during adhesive formulation, ensures bonds remain intact in humid environments. Similarly, PU synthetic leather sizing treated with our carbodiimides resists cracking and discoloration in wet conditions. Even in lubricants, where ester-based formulations are prone to hydrolysis, our agents extend fluid life by preventing acid formation.
In industries like food packaging, medical devices, or cosmetics, regulatory compliance is non-negotiable. Several Bio-SAH™ grades meet FDA food-contact standards, meaning they can be used in polymers that come into direct contact with food—such as PLA food containers or PET beverage bottles. This certification is a result of our isocyanate condensation process, which eliminates harmful residues and ensures purity. For medical applications, our carbodiimides are also being evaluated for biocompatibility, opening doors to use in hydrolytically stable medical implants or drug delivery systems.
Two key trends are shaping the anti-hydrolysis agent landscape: the rise of sustainable materials and the demand for high-performance polymers in extreme environments.
Sustainable Materials: As biodegradable plastics like PLA, PBAT, and PHA gain market share, the need for controlled hydrolysis protection (to balance shelf life and biodegradation) is skyrocketing. Bio-SAH™ is at the forefront here, with formulations tailored to these materials’ unique processing and performance requirements.
Extreme Environment Polymers: Industries like aerospace, electric vehicles, and renewable energy are pushing polymers to operate in hotter, more humid conditions (e.g., EV battery enclosures, wind turbine blades). Our carbodiimides, with their thermal stability (e.g., Bio-SAH™ 372N’s TGA performance) and robust hydrolysis resistance, are enabling these next-gen applications.
Additionally, as circular economy initiatives grow, polymers with extended lifespans (thanks to anti-hydrolysis agents like Bio-SAH™) reduce waste and support recycling efforts—aligning with global sustainability goals.
Polymer hydrolysis no longer needs to be an inevitable threat. Carbodiimide anti-hydrolysis agents, particularly our Bio-SAH™ series, offer a proactive solution—stopping hydrolysis at its source through targeted chemical reactions, delivering unmatched performance, and adapting to diverse manufacturing needs. Whether you’re formulating engineering plastics for automotive use, biodegradable packaging for consumer goods, or high-performance elastomers for industrial applications, Bio-SAH™ carbodiimides provide the durability, versatility, and regulatory compliance required to stay ahead in a competitive market.
Ready to protect your polymers from hydrolysis and unlock their full performance potential? Explore our Bio-SAH™ product range in detail, download technical datasheets, or contact our expert team to discuss customized solutions for your specific application. Let’s build polymers that last—even in the harshest environments.
A: They react with hydrolysis-generated carboxylic acids to form stable urea linkages, stopping further polymer chain scission.
A: Made via isocyanate condensation, they have high purity, no sulfur residues, and multiple forms (solid/liquid) for diverse systems.
A: Polymers with ester/urethane/amide groups, e.g., PET, TPU, PLA, PBT.
A: Match polymer form: 342Liquid for liquids, 362Powder for dry blends.
A: Some grades meet FDA standards, fit for food-contact materials.
