Aliphatic diisocyanates (ADI) are specialty intermediate chemicals used primarily to make polyurethane (PU) products – durable coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers – relied upon by many businesses and consumers worldwide. ADIs are typically not sold directly for consumer use. Rather, they are sold primarily to industrial customers who use them to make resins used in paint, binders or hardeners during manufacturing processes.
This website focuses on the three primary aliphatic diisocyanates used in PU production:
- Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI)
- Methylene dicyclohexyl diisocyanate or hydrogenated MDI (HMDI)
- Isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI)
Aliphatic diisocyanates primarily are used in paint and surface coatings such as automotive and truck refinishing, as well as industrial, maintenance and performance coatings. For example, durable coatings made with ADI can protect military, commercial and passenger planes from UV damage. They are often used to make coatings needed to combat harsh conditions, such as in military, marine or infrastructure applications (i.e. bridges).
They are part of the diisocyanates (DII) family of chemicals, which have been used since the late 1940s. Diisocyanates are divided into two types: aliphatic diisocyanates and aromatic diisocyanates. Many of the products we rely upon every day are safer and more comfortable through the use of polyurethanes made possible by diisocyanates.
Visit Fast Facts and Figures to find out more about the benefits of ADI chemistry.