TIB KAT 716

TIB KAT 716 – Bismuth neodecanoate for polyurethane systems

TIB KAT 716 is one of the most commonly used metal-based specialty catalysts for polyurethanes. With a long history of use, it serves as a benchmark catalyst for new PU formulations and as a low-toxicity alternative to organotin compounds such as DBTL.

TIB KAT 716 is suitable for automotive, industrial, and refinish coatings, as well as a catalyst for PU prepolymers and elastomer formulations. The addition of free neodecanoic acid controls the viscosity. The catalyst offers good overall reactivity. In elastomers and foams, the combination of low metal content and large ligands enables balanced curing with stable front-end/pot life and back-end/final cure. In coatings, the final cure is particularly improved by additional or exothermic heat.

Like other bismuth carboxylates, TIB KAT 716 catalyzes most PU reactions and exhibits similar selectivity to tin-based catalysts – especially towards polyol-isocyanate and water-isocyanate reactions. The product is hydrolytically stable at typical formulation moisture levels, but loses this stability as moisture increases. In general, the hydrolysis stability of bismuth carboxylates is lower than that of organotin compounds.

The typical application amount is 0.01–0.1 wt%. TIB KAT 716 exhibits higher activity than TIB KAT 720 (bismuth octoate) with the same metal content, as well as improved storage and color stability.

TIB KAT 716 is soluble in common PU solvents or can be used directly or mixed with alcohols; checking the solution stability is recommended.

Other bismuth neodecanoate variants are:

• TIB KAT 724: higher bismuth content
• TIB KAT 724 LA: higher bismuth content + reduced free acid
• TIB KAT 710 LV: lower viscosity