Polyurethane-26 is an inorganic chemical compound, a segmented block copolymer derived from urethane and synthesised from isocyanates. Isocyanate residues are neutralised with acetic acid.
The name describes the structure of the molecule:
- "Polyurethane" is a term that describes a class of polymers widely used in various applications due to their versatility and desirable properties such as durability, flexibility and abrasion resistance and temperature variations.
- "-26" is a reference to the specific type or grade of polyurethane, which can be characterized by such factors as the types of isocyanates and polyols used, their relative amounts, and the presence of any additives. . This is a designation used to differentiate different molecular structures or variants of the polymer. In cosmetic chemistry, these numbers can help formulators identify specific characteristics or behaviors of a given ingredient, particularly when a chemical family has multiple derivatives or forms.
Significant substances used in the production method:
- Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy Difluorohydroxyethyl Ether, 3-diethylamino-1,2-propanediol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, acetic acid.
- Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy difluorohydroxyethyl ether. This acts as the main hydroxyl-terminated polymer forming the backbone of the polyurethane. It also imparts water and solvent resistance properties due to its perfluorinated units.
- Isophorone Diisocyanate (IPDI). Provides the isocyanate groups necessary for polyurethane formation reaction.
- 3-Diethylamino-1,2-propanediol. Introduces additional hydroxyl and amine groups into the polymer network.
- 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol. The capping of any residual isocyanate groups.
- Acetic Acid. As a neutralizer.
Step-by-step summary of industrial chemical synthesis process.
- Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy difluorohydroxyethyl ether and 3-diethylamino-1,2-propanediol are reacted with isophorone diisocyanate to form a polyurethane prepolymer.
- 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol for the capping of any residual isocyanate groups
- Acetic acid. The resulting polymer is neutralized with acetic acid.
What it is used for and where
Cosmetics
Film-forming agent. It produces a continuous ultra-thin film with an optimal balance of cohesion, adhesion and stickiness on the skin or hair to counteract or limit damage from external phenomena such as chemicals, UV rays and pollution.
Hair conditioning agent. A large number of ingredients with specific purposes can co-exist in a hair shampoo: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, mattifying agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersing agents that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioners includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners.
Skin protectant. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to defend it from harmful substances, irritants, allergens, pathogens that can cause various inflammatory conditions. These products can also improve the natural skin barrier and in most cases more than one is needed to achieve an effective result.
CAS: 328389-90-8
Si presenta sotto forma di polvere bianca o liquido incolore.
Sicurezza
Uretano (chiamato anche carbammato di etile) è un prodotto secondario della fermentazione ed è ritenuto un agente genotossico.
I poliuretani sono materiali piuttosto complessi, inerti e biostabili, utilizzati anche in applicazioni biomediche. Sono sintetizzati in genere tramite reazione di un glicole o un poliolo con poliisocianato o diisocianato. E' noto che l'esposizione agli isocianati può causare asma, allergie da contatto, irritazione congiuntivale e cutanea. Tuttavia uno studio del Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel nel 2017 ha ritenuto che le percentuali di residui dannosi non siano significativi per la salute umana.
