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| The bifunctional alcohol 1,4-butanediol
is a versatile intermediate for the chemical industry. It reacts
with dicarboxylic acids to yield polyesters, with diisocyanates
to yield polyurethanes, and with phosgene to yield chloroformates.
The main applications for butanediol are the production of cellular
plastics, thermoplastic polyesters, hot-melt adhesives and plasticizers.
In the textile industry, 1,4-butanediol is an additive in sizes and
finishing baths. Similar to glycerol, it acts as a plasticizer for
water-soluble binders. Plasticized products are less tacky in a humid
atmosphere than those treated with glycerol because 1,4-butanediol
is not as hygroscopic.
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| Applications |
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The most important fields of application for 1,4-butanediol are the
manufacture of : |
| Polyurethanes |
| Polyurethanes offer more opportunities for attaching monomers
than other plastics and are, thus, suitable for numerous applications.
The most important fields of application are soft and rigid foams,
microcellular elastomers (soft integral skin foams), laminates, surface
coatings, adhesives, thermoplastics, fibers and dispersions.
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| Polybutyleneterephthalate |
| Polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT) is a thermoplastic
polyester produced by the polycondensation of 1,4-butanediol with
terephthalic acid or dimethylterephthalate. Preference is usually
given to the reaction with the ester, which can be purified more easily
to the degree required for polycondensation.
Some of the most important fields of applications for PBT are engineering
materials, where PBT is able to compete with many engineering-grade
thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics. PBT possesses superior
outdoor performance, low water absorption, good dielectric properties,
dimensional stability, satisfactory impact strength and the retention
of these beneficial properties on exposure to fluctuating humidity
or to chemicals. PBT is also used in hot-melt adhesives because of
its high temperature stability, rapid crystallization, favorable flow
at the processing temperature and good flexibility. |
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| For further information on 1,4-butanediol, refer to the
Technical Data Sheet,
1,4-butanediol Physical Properties Page or contact the appropriate
regional Diols customer representative on the Customer
Service Page. |
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