Propylene oxide (PO) is the third largest propylene derivative besides polypropylene and acrylonitrile. It is an important basic organic chemical synthesis raw material and is mainly used for the production of polyether, propylene glycol, etc. It is also the main raw material for fourth-generation detergent non-ionic surfactants, oil field demulsifiers, and pesticide emulsifiers. Propylene oxide derivatives are widely used in industries such as automobiles, construction, food, tobacco, medicine and cosmetics. Nearly 100 kinds of downstream products have been produced, which are important raw materials for fine chemical products.
1. Polyether polyol
Propylene oxide is mainly used to make polyether polyol (PPG). Polyether polyols are derived from propylene oxide and organic materials containing two or more hydroxyl (OH) groups. Some polyether varieties contain suspensions of micron-sized polymer particles.
The main use of polyether polyol is in the manufacture of polyurethane plastics; secondly, it is used as a surfactant, as a foam stabilizer, defoamer in paper industry, crude emulsifier, acid treated wetting agent for oil wells, and effective cleaners with low foaming, etc .; also as lubricant, hydraulic fluid, heat exchange fluid and extinguishing agent, latex foam, various cutting and stretching parts and special solvents, etc.
Propylene oxide is mainly used in China for the production of polyether polyols (PPG). The produced polyether can be divided into soft foam polyether, rigid foam polyether and elastomeric polyether, by the different types of starting cartridges. Soft polyether foam is mainly used as soft polyurethane foam, in mattresses, sofas, furniture and car cushions, etc .; rigid polyether foam is mainly used as rigid polyurethane foam for heat storage, refrigerator, etc. Elastomeric polyether is mainly used as polyurethane elastomer, which is used in sports fabrics, coatings, adhesives, sealants, etc.
2. Propylene glycol
The second main use of propylene oxide is in the manufacture of propylene glycol, alcohol ethers and propylene carbonate, which can be used in storage containers, bathroom utensils, bowls, etc. , Dipropylene Glycol (DPG) and Tripropylene Glycol (TPG).
Propylene glycol is a raw material for the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins, epoxy resins and polyurethane resins; there is also an intermediate step for the manufacture of surfactants as emulsifiers and demulsifiers; Due to its low toxicity, it can also be used as food pigments, perfumes and cosmetics. Solvents; can also be used as tobacco moisturizer, antifungal agent, and astringent preservative; in the pharmaceutical industry, in the pharmaceutical industry, propylene glycol is widely used as an auxiliary cream and moisturizer for liquid medications or ointments; in the food industry, propylene glycol fatty acid esters can be used as food emulsifiers, propylene glycol is also an excellent solvent for flavorings and pigments; in dyes, pigments, and everyday chemistry, propylene glycol is used primarily to make plasticizers, solvents, and thickeners (such as toothpaste).
3. Propylene glycol ether
Propylene glycol ether is a low toxicity organic solvent bath with a wide range of uses, widely used in coating industry, brake fluid, antifreeze, jet engine fuel additives, soil polish, printing ink, products electronic chemicals, cleaning agent, mineral processing agents, skin processing, photosensitive liquids, short-acting plasticizers, dyes, pesticides and other fields for PS sheet. At the same time, glycol ethers are widely used in the synthesis of alcohol ether acetates.
4. Other industries
In addition, propylene oxide is also used in small amounts in coatings, non-ionic surfactants, oilfield demulsifiers, flame retardants, pesticide emulsifiers and wetting agents. Propylene oxide can also be used directly as a packaged fumigant for dried fruit and a bulk fumigant for foods such as cocoa, spices, cold meats, starch and gums.