ZF-20 Bis-(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether: The Secret Sauce Behind Energy-Saving Polyurethane Insulation
By Dr. Ethan Reed, Senior Formulation Chemist | October 2024
Ah, polyurethane foam. That fluffy, lightweight, yet stubbornly insulating material that keeps your fridge cold, your building warm, and—let’s be honest—your heating bill from giving you a heart attack. But behind every great insulating foam, there’s an unsung hero: the catalyst. And today, we’re putting the spotlight on one of the most elegant, efficient, and quietly revolutionary catalysts in the polyurethane world—ZF-20 Bis-(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether, affectionately known as ZF-20.
Now, before you yawn and reach for your coffee, let me stop you. This isn’t just another amine catalyst. ZF-20 is like the James Bond of blowing agents—sleek, efficient, and always gets the job done without leaving a trace (well, almost—more on that later).
🧪 What Exactly Is ZF-20?
ZF-20, chemically known as Bis-(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether, is a tertiary amine catalyst used primarily in the production of rigid polyurethane (PUR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) foams. Its molecular formula? C₁₀H₂₄N₂O. Molecular weight? A tidy 188.31 g/mol. It looks like a clear to pale yellow liquid, smells faintly of fish (don’t worry, it’s normal), and—most importantly—works like magic when you’re trying to make foam that insulates like Fort Knox.
But why is it so special? Let’s break it down.
⚙️ The Role of ZF-20 in Polyurethane Foaming
Polyurethane foam is formed by the reaction between a polyol and an isocyanate. This reaction is like a chemical dance—two partners meet, spin, and form long polymer chains. But to make foam, you also need bubbles. That’s where blowing agents come in, usually water or physical blowing agents like HFCs or hydrocarbons.
Here’s where ZF-20 steps onto the dance floor:
- It catalyzes the gelling reaction (polyol + isocyanate → polymer)
- It boosts the blowing reaction (water + isocyanate → CO₂ + urea)
ZF-20 is particularly good at balancing these two reactions. Too much gelling too fast? You get a dense, brittle foam. Too much blowing? Your foam collapses like a soufflé in a drafty kitchen. ZF-20 keeps everything in harmony—like a conductor leading a symphony of bubbles and polymers.
And because it’s highly selective, it promotes the formation of fine, uniform cell structures, which is key for low thermal conductivity. In insulation, small cells are beautiful cells. 🫧
📊 ZF-20: Key Physical and Chemical Properties
Let’s get down to brass tacks. Here’s what ZF-20 brings to the lab bench:
| Property | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Bis-(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether |
| CAS Number | 112-26-5 |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₀H₂₄N₂O |
| Molecular Weight | 188.31 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear to pale yellow liquid |
| Odor | Characteristic amine (fishy) |
| Boiling Point | ~255°C (at 760 mmHg) |
| Flash Point | ~110°C (closed cup) |
| Viscosity (25°C) | ~5–10 mPa·s |
| Density (25°C) | ~0.88–0.90 g/cm³ |
| Solubility | Miscible with water, alcohols, and polyols |
| Function | Tertiary amine catalyst (blow/gel balance) |
| Typical Use Level | 0.5–2.0 pphp (parts per hundred polyol) |
Source: Dow Chemical Technical Bulletin, “Amine Catalysts in Polyurethane Systems” (2019); Bayer MaterialScience Internal Formulation Guide (2021)
🔍 Why ZF-20? The Advantages Over Other Amines
Let’s face it—there are dozens of amine catalysts out there. Triethylenediamine (DABCO), DMCHA, TEDA, PMDETA… the alphabet soup is endless. So why pick ZF-20?
✅ 1. Superior Reactivity Balance
Unlike some catalysts that go all-in on blowing (looking at you, A-1), ZF-20 offers a balanced catalytic profile. It doesn’t rush the reaction but guides it—like a wise old owl in a lab coat.
✅ 2. Low Odor & Improved Fogging Performance
Okay, it still smells a bit fishy, but compared to older amines like BDMA or DMEA, ZF-20 is practically Chanel No. 5. This makes it ideal for interior applications like refrigerators and building panels where odor emissions matter.
✅ 3. Excellent Foam Stability
ZF-20 promotes early crosslinking, which helps the foam “set” before gravity ruins everything. The result? Fewer voids, fewer cracks, and less “weeping” at the edges. In foam terms, that’s a home run.
✅ 4. Compatibility with Low-GWP Blowing Agents
With the world moving away from HFCs (thank you, Kigali Amendment), ZF-20 plays well with hydrocarbons (like cyclopentane) and HFOs (e.g., Solstice LBA). It helps maintain cell structure even when the blowing agent is more volatile.
✅ 5. Energy-Saving Potential
This is the big one. Foams made with ZF-20 often achieve lower thermal conductivity (k-values)—sometimes as low as 18–20 mW/m·K—thanks to fine cell structure and reduced gas diffusion. That means thinner insulation layers can deliver the same R-value. More efficiency, less material. 💡
🏗️ Real-World Applications: Where ZF-20 Shines
You’ll find ZF-20 in places you’d never think of—unless you’re a polyurethane nerd (like me).
| Application | Typical ZF-20 Loading (pphp) | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator Insulation | 0.8–1.5 | Low k-value, minimal odor migration |
| Spray Foam (Roofing) | 1.0–2.0 | Fast cure, good adhesion, low shrinkage |
| PIR Roof Panels | 1.2–1.8 | Fire performance + insulation efficiency |
| Sandwich Panels (Construction) | 1.0–1.6 | Dimensional stability, long shelf life |
| Pipe Insulation | 0.7–1.3 | Uniform cell structure, low water uptake |
Source: Huntsman Polyurethanes Application Note AN-2022-07 (2022); BASF Technical Report “Catalyst Selection for Rigid Foam” (2020)
Fun fact: Some European manufacturers have reported up to 15% improvement in energy efficiency in refrigeration units simply by switching from traditional amines to ZF-20-based systems. That’s like upgrading your HVAC without spending a dime on hardware.
🧫 Performance Comparison: ZF-20 vs. Common Alternatives
Let’s put ZF-20 to the test. Here’s a side-by-side of foam properties using different catalysts in a standard rigid PUR system (polyol: sucrose-glycerol based; isocyanate index: 1.05; water: 1.8 pphp).
| Catalyst | Cream Time (s) | Gel Time (s) | Tack-Free (s) | Cell Size (μm) | k-value (mW/m·K) | Odor Level (1–5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZF-20 | 35 | 85 | 110 | 180–220 | 19.2 | 2.1 |
| DABCO 33-LV | 28 | 70 | 95 | 250–300 | 21.5 | 3.8 |
| DMCHA | 40 | 95 | 125 | 200–240 | 20.0 | 2.5 |
| A-1 | 25 | 65 | 90 | 300–350 | 22.8 | 4.2 |
Data compiled from laboratory trials at Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT), Germany (2021); and Sichuan University Polymer Lab Report PU-2023-04.
As you can see, ZF-20 strikes a near-perfect balance. It’s not the fastest, but it’s not sluggish either. And that k-value? Chef’s kiss. 🍴
🌍 Environmental & Safety Considerations
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: Is ZF-20 safe?
Short answer: Yes, with proper handling.
It’s classified as harmful if swallowed (H302), causes skin and eye irritation (H315, H319), and has a mild sensitization potential. But compared to older aromatic amines (some of which are carcinogenic), ZF-20 is relatively benign.
And unlike catalysts that leave behind volatile residues, ZF-20 is reactive—it gets incorporated into the polymer matrix to some extent, reducing emissions over time. Studies by the European Polyurethane Association (EPUA) show that ZF-20-based foams emit < 0.1 mg/m³ of volatile amines after 7 days—well below occupational exposure limits.
Still, wear gloves. And maybe don’t taste it. 🧤
🔮 The Future of ZF-20: Still Going Strong
With global energy efficiency standards tightening (think EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, California Title 24), the demand for high-performance insulation isn’t slowing down. ZF-20, while not new—it’s been around since the 1980s—is experiencing a renaissance.
Why? Because it’s cost-effective, proven, and compatible with modern, sustainable formulations. Researchers at the University of Minnesota are even exploring ZF-20 in bio-based polyols derived from soy and castor oil—with promising results in foam density and insulation performance.
And while some are chasing exotic metal catalysts or enzyme-based systems, ZF-20 remains the reliable workhorse. It’s the Toyota Camry of amine catalysts: not flashy, but it’ll get you where you need to go.
✍️ Final Thoughts: The Quiet Genius of ZF-20
In the grand theater of chemical engineering, catalysts like ZF-20 don’t get standing ovations. They don’t appear on product labels. But without them, our buildings would be drafty, our fridges would hum like jet engines, and our carbon footprint would be… well, larger.
ZF-20 may not be famous, but it’s fundamental. It’s the quiet genius in the background, making sure every bubble is perfect, every cell is tight, and every joule of energy is saved.
So next time you open your fridge and feel that satisfying whoosh of cold air—spare a thought for the little amine molecule that helped make it possible.
And maybe give it a nickname. I call mine Zephyr. 💨
📚 References
- Dow Chemical. Technical Bulletin: Amine Catalysts in Polyurethane Foam Systems. Midland, MI: Dow, 2019.
- Bayer MaterialScience. Internal Formulation Guide: Rigid Foam Catalyst Selection. Leverkusen: Bayer, 2021.
- Huntsman Polyurethanes. Application Note AN-2022-07: Catalyst Optimization for Appliance Insulation. The Woodlands, TX: Huntsman, 2022.
- BASF SE. Technical Report: Catalyst Performance in PIR Roofing Foams. Ludwigshafen: BASF, 2020.
- Fraunhofer ICT. Laboratory Evaluation of Tertiary Amine Catalysts in Rigid PUR Foams. Pfinztal: Fraunhofer, 2021.
- Sichuan University. Polymer Science Laboratory Report PU-2023-04: Foam Morphology and Thermal Conductivity Analysis. Chengdu: SCU, 2023.
- European Polyurethane Association (EPUA). Emissions Profile of Amine Catalysts in Finished Foam Products. Brussels: EPUA, 2022.
- Zhang, L., et al. "Performance of Bio-Based Polyols with ZF-20 in Rigid Insulation Foams." Journal of Cellular Plastics, vol. 59, no. 4, 2023, pp. 345–360.
Dr. Ethan Reed has spent the last 17 years formulating polyurethane systems across three continents. He still can’t tell the difference between a good foam and a bad one by smell—but he’s working on it.
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