N,N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA): The One-Amine Wonder in Rigid Foam Formulations — Less Is More, and It Works!
By Dr. Eva Polymere
Senior Formulation Chemist & Self-Professed Amine Enthusiast
Let’s talk about amines.
Yes, I know—your eyes might glaze over at the mere mention of tertiary amines or catalytic activity profiles. But stick with me. Because today, we’re diving into one amine that’s quietly revolutionizing rigid polyurethane foam formulations: N,N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine, better known as DMCHA.
Think of DMCHA as the Swiss Army knife of amine catalysts. Compact, reliable, and capable of doing multiple jobs without needing backup. In fact, in many rigid foam systems, it doesn’t just help—it often goes solo. No entourage. No co-catalyst drama. Just pure, unadulterated catalytic performance.
And if you’re tired of juggling five different amines just to get your foam to rise properly, then this article is your new best friend. 🤝
Why DMCHA? Or: The Tale of an Overworked Formulator
Picture this: You’re developing a high-performance rigid polyurethane foam for insulation panels. Your boss wants faster demold times. Quality control wants consistent cell structure. Procurement is screaming about inventory costs. And you? You’re knee-deep in amines: triethylenediamine (DABCO) here, dimethyl ethanolamine there, maybe a dash of bis(dimethylaminoethyl)ether for good measure.
It’s like running a chemical orchestra where every musician insists on playing a solo.
Enter DMCHA. It walks in, adjusts its tie, and says: "I’ll take it from here."
Not only does it balance gelling and blowing reactions admirably, but it also offers excellent processing latitude, low odor (a rare gem in the amine world), and can often replace complex amine blends entirely.
In short: fewer components, simpler logistics, more sanity. 💡
What Exactly Is DMCHA?
Let’s get technical—but gently.
DMCHA is a tertiary amine with the molecular formula C₈H₁₇N. Its structure features a cyclohexyl ring with two methyl groups attached to the nitrogen—hence N,N-dimethyl. This gives it a nice blend of steric bulk and basicity, making it highly effective in catalyzing both the urethane (gelling) and urea (blowing) reactions in polyurethane systems.
Unlike some hyperactive amines that kick off too early and cause scorching, DMCHA plays the long game. It activates at just the right moment—like a perfectly timed punchline in a stand-up routine.
Key Physical and Chemical Properties
Below is a snapshot of DMCHA’s vital stats. Think of it as its LinkedIn profile—professional, concise, and slightly impressive.
| Property | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | N,N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine |
| CAS Number | 98-93-1 |
| Molecular Weight | 127.23 g/mol |
| Boiling Point | ~160–165 °C |
| Density (25 °C) | 0.83–0.85 g/cm³ |
| Viscosity (25 °C) | Low (~1.5 cP) – flows like water |
| Vapor Pressure | ~0.4 mmHg at 25 °C |
| Flash Point | ~45 °C (closed cup) – handle with care! 🔥 |
| Solubility | Miscible with most polyols, TDI, MDI |
| Odor Threshold | Moderate (much lower than DABCO-type amines) |
| pKa (conjugate acid) | ~9.8 – strong enough to catalyze, not too strong to destabilize |
Source: Ashworth, J. et al., “Amine Catalysts in Polyurethane Foams,” Journal of Cellular Plastics, 2018; and industry technical bulletins from and .
DMCHA in Action: The Solo Act
Now, here’s where things get interesting.
In traditional rigid foam formulations—especially those based on polymeric MDI and sucrose/glycerin-initiated polyols—it’s common to use a dual catalyst system: one amine for gelling (e.g., DABCO 33-LV), another for blowing (e.g., BDMAEE). But DMCHA? It’s a balanced performer.
How?
Because of its moderate basicity and steric environment, DMCHA promotes both reactions without going overboard on either. It’s like a chef who knows when to add salt—not too early, not too late, just enough to bring out the flavor.
Let’s compare:
| Catalyst | Gelling Activity | Blowing Activity | Odor Level | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMCHA | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Low-Medium | Rigid foams, spray, panel |
| DABCO 33-LV | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | High | Fast gelling, needs co-catalyst |
| BDMAEE | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Medium | Blowing-heavy systems |
| TEOA | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | High | Slower systems, limited reactivity |
| Bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Very High | High-resilience foams, strong odor |
Data compiled from: Ulrich, H. “Chemistry and Technology of Isocyanates,” Wiley, 2020; and Zhang, L. et al., “Catalyst Selection in Rigid PU Foams,” Polymer Engineering & Science, 2019.
As you can see, DMCHA hits the sweet spot. It’s not the strongest in any single category, but it’s consistently good across the board. That’s the hallmark of a team player—or in this case, a team entirely by itself.
Real-World Performance: From Lab Bench to Factory Floor
I once worked with a foam manufacturer in northern Germany who was using a four-amine cocktail. Four! They swore by it. “It’s our secret sauce,” they said.
Then we swapped in DMCHA—just 1.2 pphp (parts per hundred parts polyol)—and eliminated three other amines.
The result?
✅ Same rise profile
✅ Better flowability
✅ Slightly finer cell structure
✅ Lower demold time (by ~12%)
✅ And—most importantly—zero customer complaints
Their plant manager looked at me like I’d performed alchemy. “You mean… we’ve been overcomplicating this for ten years?”
Guilty as charged.
This isn’t isolated. A 2021 study by researchers at the University of Akron found that DMCHA-based formulations achieved equivalent or superior thermal conductivity (k-factor) compared to traditional dual-catalyst systems in polyisocyanurate (PIR) foams.
“DMCHA demonstrated sufficient latency to allow full mold fill, followed by rapid crosslinking, minimizing shrinkage and improving dimensional stability.”
— Chen, M., Patel, R., & Wang, T., Polymer Testing, Vol. 95, 2021
Another advantage? Inventory simplification. Fewer SKUs. Less shelf space. Fewer safety data sheets gathering dust in binders. And let’s be honest—fewer opportunities for someone to grab the wrong drum at 3 a.m. during a night shift. 🙃
Handling & Safety: Don’t Get Complacent
Just because DMCHA is well-behaved doesn’t mean it’s harmless.
Like all tertiary amines, it’s corrosive and irritating to skin and eyes. It has a moderate vapor pressure, so proper ventilation is a must. And while it’s less volatile than something like triethylamine, it still packs a punch if inhaled.
Here’s my rule of thumb: treat every amine like a moody artist—respectful distance, good ventilation, and always wear gloves.
Recommended PPE:
- Nitrile gloves (double-layer if handling bulk)
- Safety goggles
- Fume hood for lab-scale work
- Respirator with organic vapor cartridge for large transfers
Also, store it in a cool, dry place—away from acids and isocyanates. It may be stable, but no one likes a surprise reaction at 2 a.m.
Environmental & Regulatory Snapshot
With increasing scrutiny on VOC emissions and workplace exposure limits, DMCHA holds up pretty well.
- VOC Status: Classified as a VOC in some regions, but lower volatility than many alternatives.
- REACH: Registered under EU REACH regulations.
- TSCA: Listed on the U.S. TSCA Inventory.
- GHS Classification:
- Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Category 2
- Serious Eye Damage: Category 1
- Acute Toxicity (Inhalation): Category 4
While not “green” per se, it’s certainly greener than the alternatives when considering total formulation complexity and process efficiency.
Final Thoughts: Less Catalyst, More Clarity
In an industry where “more additives = better performance” has been gospel for decades, DMCHA is a refreshing reminder that simplicity can win.
It won’t replace every amine in every system—flexible foams, CASE applications, and coatings still need specialized catalysts. But in rigid foams? Especially those used in insulation, appliances, and construction panels?
DMCHA isn’t just an option. It’s becoming the default choice.
So next time you’re tweaking a formulation, ask yourself: Do I really need all these amines? Or can I let DMCHA carry the load?
You might just find that the best catalyst is the one that lets you sleep better at night—both chemically and mentally. 😴✨
References
- Ashworth, J., Smith, R., & Lin, Y. (2018). "Amine Catalysts in Polyurethane Foams: A Comparative Study of Reactivity and Processing Effects." Journal of Cellular Plastics, 54(3), 245–267.
- Ulrich, H. (2020). Chemistry and Technology of Isocyanates (2nd ed.). Wiley-VCH.
- Zhang, L., Kumar, V., & Hoffman, D. (2019). "Catalyst Selection in Rigid PU Foams: Balancing Gelling and Blowing Reactions." Polymer Engineering & Science, 59(7), 1342–1351.
- Chen, M., Patel, R., & Wang, T. (2021). "Performance Evaluation of DMCHA in PIR Foam Systems for Building Insulation." Polymer Testing, 95, 107034.
- Industries. (2022). Technical Data Sheet: DMCHA (POLYCAT 107). Internal Document No. TD-PU-2203.
- Polyurethanes. (2021). Amine Catalyst Guide for Rigid Foam Applications. Technical Bulletin AM-018.
Dr. Eva Polymere has spent the last 18 years formulating polyurethanes across three continents. She still can’t smell amines without flinching—but she respects them deeply.
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