Trimethylolpropane TMP Tris(hydroxymethyl)propane; Trimethylpropane CAS 77-99-6

Tree Chem Trimethylolpropane (TMP) is a white crystalline solid featuring three hydroxyl groups, providing high functionality for various chemical reactions. Produced under refined hydrogenation and purification control, our TMP ensures low water content, minimal residual acids, and high thermal stability.

We manufacture and supply TMP for coating resins, PU elastomers, plasticizers, lubricants, and UV-curable systems, supporting industrial and specialty applications globally. For technical data and support, please contact info@cntreechem.com.

Спецификация

Основная информация

Технические характеристики

Приложения

Coating Industry

Alkyd Resin Coatings

• Trimethylolpropane (TMP) acts as a multifunctional polyol providing high crosslinking density in alkyd resin coatings. Its three primary hydroxyl groups enable stronger molecular networks, resulting in coatings with excellent hardness, abrasion resistance, and durability. Compared with glycerol and neopentyl glycol, TMP improves resistance to hydrolysis and oxidation, enhances alkali resistance, and increases gloss and film flexibility.
• TMP-modified alkyd resins are widely used for metal coatings, architectural paints, and anticorrosive layers. Typical modified formulations use 18–20 % TMP of total polyol content in castor-oil alkyds, or 7–11 % TMP for high-penetration alkyds. Silicone-modified alkyds containing 10–14 % TMP deliver superior thermal stability up to 100 °C and excellent weathering resistance.
• In processing, TMP reacts with fatty acids and phthalic anhydride through esterification at 180–230 °C under nitrogen protection. Proper temperature control and water removal are critical to obtain acid values of 8–12 mg KOH/g and viscosities of 200–400 s (Ford #4 cup).

Polyurethane Coatings

• TMP functions as a crosslinker in both two-component solvent-borne and waterborne polyurethane coatings. Its triol structure reacts efficiently with isocyanate groups, forming three-dimensional networks that improve chemical resistance, gloss, and mechanical strength.
• In two-component systems, TMP is commonly used in TDI-TMP or HDI-TMP adducts to regulate NCO/OH ratios. The resulting cured films exhibit high hardness and resistance to solvents and abrasion. In waterborne systems, small TMP additions (≈ 0.5 %) increase tensile strength to 20 MPa and elongation to 108 %, while reducing water absorption to about 2 %.
• TMP-based polyurethane coatings are widely adopted in automotive clear coats, floor coatings, and industrial equipment finishing due to their balance of toughness and flexibility.

Powder Coatings

• In powder coatings, TMP is a critical component in polyester resin synthesis for low-temperature curing systems. Its presence increases branching and carboxyl-end reactivity, enabling full cure at only 150 °C within 15 minutes.
• Typical formulations include neopentyl glycol, TMP (≈ 10 %), terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and adipic acid, with TGIC as the curing agent. The resulting films reach 98 gloss units and pass both forward and reverse impact tests. TMP thus allows energy-saving, environmentally friendly powder coatings for metal furniture, appliances, and architectural panels.

Resin Industry

Alkyd Resins

• TMP is the preferred polyol for high-grade short-oil alkyd resins. It reacts with polyacids to form stable ester linkages, providing enhanced film hardness, adhesion, and durability. Water-dispersible alkyds synthesized with TMP, phthalic anhydride, and fatty oils exhibit excellent storage stability and low viscosity.
• Self-drying alkyds containing 80–200 parts TMP and 400–550 parts linoleic acid yield coatings with strong gloss retention and fast drying. TMP also facilitates compatibility with amino and epoxy resins in hybrid coating formulations.

Polyester Resins

• In polyester resin synthesis, TMP provides branching and multiple reaction sites, increasing crosslinking density and mechanical strength. It is widely used in amino-baking enamels and coil-coating resins. A typical hydroxyl-terminated polyester uses TMP (1.1 mol), neopentyl glycol (4.4 mol), isophthalic acid (3.0 mol), and adipic acid (2.0 mol), producing a resin with 20 % hydroxyl excess for flexible yet non-gelled performance.
• TMP-containing polyesters exhibit excellent weather resistance and adhesion, making them essential in automotive and appliance coatings.

Acrylic Resins

• TMP serves as the raw material for multifunctional acrylate monomers such as trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTM).
• TMPTA, synthesized from 20 kg TMP, 38 kg acrylic acid, 4 kg p-toluenesulfonic acid, and 80 g 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, achieves ester contents > 95 %. It is a highly reactive crosslinker for UV-curable coatings and inks, providing fast curing, abrasion resistance, and high gloss. TMPTM serves in PVC crosslinking, anaerobic adhesives, and modified rubber applications, contributing hardness and solvent resistance.

Lubricant Industry

Synthetic Ester Lubricants

• TMP is the dominant triol for synthetic ester lubricants used in aviation, automotive, and industrial applications. Its esters possess low pour points, high flash points, and excellent oxidative stability.
• In aviation turbine oils, TMP accounts for 30–75 % of total polyol feedstocks, combined with 25–70 % pentaerythritol. The resulting TMP esters deliver service temperatures above 200 °C and outstanding antiwear and anticorrosion properties.
• TMP-based palmate or oleate esters synthesized at 180 °C under 0.09 MPa vacuum show esterification rates > 80 % and acid values < 2 mg KOH/g, with flash points around 238 °C. These lubricants meet strict requirements for compressor oils, refrigeration fluids, and environmentally friendly machinery oils.

Metalworking Fluids

• TMP esters such as TMP oleate and TMP caprylate provide superior lubrication and biodegradability in cutting and forming oils.
• In semi-synthetic cutting fluids, 20–30 % TMP oleate base oil combines with 15–25 % non-ionic surfactant, 10–15 % rust inhibitor, and 0.5–1 % biocide, with the remainder water. Such formulations achieve strong lubricity and corrosion resistance while reducing operator exposure to mineral-oil fumes. TMP esters replace traditional sulfurized lard oils, offering clean, low-odor machining performance.

Polyurethane Industry

Polyurethane Foams

• As a crosslinking agent in polyurethane foams, TMP increases hardness, dimensional stability, and load-bearing strength. In high-resilience foams, 14–16 parts TMP per 100 parts polyether polyol yield flexible yet durable materials suitable for automotive seats and mattresses.

Polyurethane Elastomers

• TMP serves as both chain extender and crosslinker in elastomeric systems. Formulations combining 18–20 parts TDI, 14–16 parts TMP, and 100–150 parts polyester diol produce products with tensile strengths up to 20 MPa and elongations around 100 %. Such elastomers are used in wheels, coatings, and sealing materials requiring toughness and elasticity.

Polyurethane Adhesives

• TMP enhances strength and heat resistance in polyurethane adhesives. During synthesis, TMP reacts with diisocyanates alongside diols such as diethylene glycol, forming strong inter-chain linkages. In waterborne grades, TMP improves crosslink density and film integrity, yielding flexible adhesives with excellent adhesion to plastic, metal, and fabric substrates.

Other Applications

Surfactants and Emulsifiers

• Partial esterification of TMP with fatty acids followed by ethoxylation yields nonionic surfactants with high emulsifying and wetting efficiency. These are used in cosmetic creams, pharmaceutical emulsions, and textile finishing.

Plasticizers and Stabilizers

• TMP esters with aromatic and C₅–C₉ fatty acids act as heat-resistant plasticizers compatible with PVC and other polymers. They improve flexibility and thermal stability and resist hydrolysis. TMP also serves as a heat stabilizer in PVC resins, extending processing windows.

Inks and Electronics

• In printing inks, TMP functions as a diluent and viscosity modifier, improving flow, adhesion, and drying balance. TMP-derived TMPTA is a critical UV-curable monomer for electronic coatings, encapsulants, and circuit materials requiring fast curing and strong chemical resistance.

Textiles and Additives

• TMP derivatives are employed as textile auxiliaries that enhance fabric softness and antistatic performance. In emerging fields, TMP is utilized in biodegradable polymers, photo-curable resins, and green energy materials such as lithium-battery electrolytes and photovoltaic coatings.

Хранение и обработка

• Store in a dry, well-ventilated area, away from heat sources and moisture.
• Keep containers sealed tightly to prevent water absorption.
• Avoid direct contact with oxidizing materials and acids.
• Recommended storage temperature: below 30 °C.
• Maintain clean, dry packaging для предотвращения загрязнения.

Уведомление об использовании

• Avoid dust generation; handle with appropriate PPE (gloves, goggles, mask).
• Prevent inhalation or prolonged skin contact.
• Do not mix with strong oxidizers to avoid reaction hazards.
• Clean spills promptly with dry absorbent materials.
• Dispose of residues in accordance with local environmental regulations.
• In castor-oil alkyd coatings, 16–17 % castor acid, 18–20 % TMP, and 21–23 % phthalic anhydride are reacted in xylene solvent at 180–230 °C to produce resins with acid values of 8–12 mg KOH/g.
• In silicone-modified alkyds, 21–25 parts isononanoic acid, 10–14 parts TMP, and 7–8 parts silicone oligomer form flexible high-temperature-resistant coatings.
• In polyurethane topcoats, 50 % TDI-TMP adduct, 35 % TDI trimer, and 15 % butyl acetate yield curing agents containing 6.5 % NCO and 45 % solids.
• In waterborne polyurethane coatings, 0.5 % TMP relative to polyol increases tensile strength to 20 MPa and reduces water uptake to 2 %.
• In low-temperature-cure polyester powder coatings, 10 % TMP enables complete cure at 150 °C for 15 minutes with 98 gloss.
• In hydroxyl-terminated polyesters, 1.1 mol TMP, 4.4 mol neopentyl glycol, 3.0 mol isophthalic acid, and 2.0 mol adipic acid produce non-gelled resins with enhanced branching.
• In TMPTA synthesis, 20 kg TMP and 38 kg acrylic acid react under p-toluenesulfonic acid catalysis to form esters with > 95 % purity for UV-curable coatings.
• In aviation lubricant base oil formulation, TMP and pentaerythritol esters constitute > 60 % of polyol feed, providing thermal stability above 200 °C.
• In metalworking fluids, 20–30 % TMP oleate, 15–25 % non-ionic surfactant, and 10–15 % rust inhibitor form biodegradable coolants with excellent lubricity.
• In polyurethane foam formulations, 100 parts polyether polyol and 14–16 parts TMP yield high-resilience foam with stable dimensions.
• In polyurethane elastomers, 18–20 parts TDI, 14–16 parts TMP, and 100–150 parts polyester diol produce materials with 20 MPa tensile strength and 108 % elongation.
• In epoxy-modified polyurethane adhesives, TMP added at 60 °C enhances crosslinking and heat resistance.
• In surfactant manufacture, TMP reacts with fatty acid and ethylene oxide to yield nonionic emulsifiers with strong wetting properties.
• In plasticizer production, TMP and mixed C₅–C₉ fatty acids form esters providing high-temperature stability and PVC compatibility.
• In UV-curable inks, TMPTA derived from TMP is blended with photoinitiators to enable instant curing and high-gloss printing films.

Упаковка

• 25 kg woven bag with inner liner
• Custom packaging available upon request