What is MOCA in Polyurethane?

MOCA was first used as a polyurethane curative way back in 1954, TDI/MbOCA cured polyurethane has a very long track record of very successful use. It has gained strong customer confidence due to its excellent durability and technical performances while its price is very competitive. It is therefore no surprise that polyurethane processors along with their customers prefer the guaranteed quality of this system. It is specified on many component drawings as the only grade to be supplied.

Alternative polyurethane systems are typically more expensive to purchase and process. Whilst there are some alternative grades at a comparative kilo cost, such as MDI PPG grades they have a much lower tensile strength.

Newly developed alternative polyurethane curatives are relatively untested and therefore do not have the long track record of MbOCA. Any transition would require our customers to take a risk, which would incur them costs in production downtime and repairs, which has been proven through trials.

There is one classification of polyurethane material that even the highly specialist CMP team has to work hard to provide though. As the Health & Safety Executive only allows authorised companies to use MOCA in polyurethane manufacturing.

CMP is an authorised provider of MOCA polyurethane, making it a good point to explain what it is, and why it’s so sought after.

Definition of MOCA in Polyurethane

First the science bit.

MOCA is shorthand for methylene-bis(ortho-chloroaniline) or MbOCA.

This is a chemical that is artificially created, to be superior to MOCA alternatives. It is used as a curing agent (or hardener) in the formulation of polyurethane and comes supplied in a yellow, granular pellet form.

What are the advantages of using MOCA?

The reasons to use MOCA involve its ability to diversify the degree of tensile strength in polyurethane blends.

MbOCA-cured polyurethanes are tough and durable they have better all-round technical performance than polyurethanes cured with alternatives. MbOCA cured components provide
high load-bearing capacity, good abrasion resistance, high tensile strength, compression set and rebound resilience. MbOCA still remains the preferred choice in the European cast polyurethane industry, it has been this way for decades.

It is still the most widely used chain extender outside of the EEA.

MOCA polyurethane applications

From the above reasons to specify MOCA in polyurethane, you can work out many of its common uses, and see why it is the preferred option.

MOCA polyurethane is ideal for many forms of wheels – including skateboard wheels that must be 100% reliable in wet conditions.

It is also used for trustworthy and durable castors and rollers, as well as to create long-lasting and tough bushes, mounts, seals and blades.

Check out our MOCA polyurethane disclosure page.