MDI (Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate) — Polyurethane Isocyanate
MDI is the isocyanate component used in high-performance polyurethane elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethane, adhesives and coatings. Allzone supplies MDI grades to Canadian manufacturers with the grade confirmed against supplier documentation and full safety documentation provided.
At a glance
- Product
- MDI (Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate)
- Grades
- Polyurethane Isocyanate
- Typical applications
- Cast polyurethane elastomers and rollers · Thermoplastic polyurethane production · Structural adhesives, binders and sealants
- Packaging
- Packaging confirmed at quotation
Handling notice. This product requires review of the supplier technical data sheet and safety data sheet before purchase and use. Request both documents for the exact grade under consideration.
- • Certificate of Analysis is provided against the confirmed shipment, grade and batch.
- • Manufacturer TDS and SDS are subject to grade and supplier confirmation and are available on request.
- • Grades, packaging and origin above are indicative sourcing options and are confirmed at quotation.
Available grades from container-direct sourcing
Polyurethane Isocyanate
Grade and specification confirmed against supplier technical data sheet at quotation.
Typical applications
- Cast polyurethane elastomers and rollers
- Thermoplastic polyurethane production
- Structural adhesives, binders and sealants
- Coatings and specialty polyurethane systems
Why Canadian buyers choose us
- Container-direct sourcing coordinated through our Ontario logistics partner
- Supplier documentation (TDS, SDS, COA) requested and shared before order confirmation
- Specifications confirmed in writing at quotation stage — no assumed values
- LTL and FTL freight across Ontario, Quebec and Western Canada
- Quantities reviewed per enquiry, from smaller lots to full container loads
Typical industries served
Material identity
MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) — identifiers and the names buyers use
- CAS
- 101-68-8 (4,4'-MDI)
- CAS
- 9016-87-9 (polymeric MDI)
- Formula
- C15H10N2O2
Also searched as
Abbreviations
Industry terminology
Identifiers are published for material identification. The exact specification of any offered grade is confirmed against supplier documentation at quotation.
Buyer intent coverage
MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) — what it is, where it is used, how it is chosen
MDI is the isocyanate component of polyurethane chemistry, supplied as pure 4,4'-MDI or as polymeric MDI with a distribution of higher functionality oligomers. It is the A-side of virtually every rigid foam, adhesive, elastomer and engineered-wood binder system, and its NCO content and functionality determine the crosslink density and therefore the mechanical outcome of the finished part.
Primary uses
- Rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate insulation foam
- Binder resin for engineered wood panels and composite boards
- Structural adhesives, sealants and elastomer systems
- Coatings and cast elastomers requiring high mechanical strength
Applications
- Insulation panel and spray-foam manufacturing serving Canadian construction
- Oriented strand board and particleboard plants in the forestry corridors of Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia
- Automotive and transportation components in the Ontario manufacturing cluster
- Cast elastomers, rollers and industrial wheels
- Refrigeration and cold-chain insulation systems
Advantages
- Lower vapour pressure than TDI, which simplifies workplace exposure control
- Polymeric grades deliver high crosslink density for rigid foam and boards
- Broad formulation latitude across foam, adhesive and elastomer chemistries
- Well-established processing knowledge across the polyurethane industry
Limitations to consider
- Reacts with moisture, so containers and lines must stay dry and blanketed
- Pure MDI solidifies at cool ambient temperatures and needs controlled thawing
- Classified as a respiratory sensitiser — engineering controls and training are mandatory
- Limited shelf life relative to most industrial resins
How to choose the right grade
- Start from the NCO content and functionality the system formulation requires
- Choose pure MDI for elastomers and high-performance cast parts, polymeric MDI for rigid foam and boards
- Match viscosity to the metering equipment already installed
- Confirm the site can handle, store and reheat isocyanate safely before ordering
Typical grades
- Pure 4,4'-MDI
- Polymeric MDI across a viscosity range
- Modified / prepolymer MDI
- Emulsifiable MDI for wood-panel binding
Comparable materials — how MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) sits against alternatives
- TDI for flexible foam systems
- HDI or IPDI for light-stable coatings
- Formaldehyde-based resins in wood panels where the emissions profile is acceptable
Comparable-material reference. Grade selection is confirmed at RFQ against your process.
Procurement coverage
How to specify, order and receive MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate)
Written for procurement, quality and technical buyers in Canada and the United States. No numeric price, MOQ, stock or lead-time value is published — those are confirmed per shipment in the quotation and against the confirmed batch.
How buyers specify at RFQ
- NCO content and average functionality
- Viscosity at the process temperature
- Isomer distribution for pure grades
- Acidity and hydrolysable chlorine limits
- Transport classification and receiving-site constraints
Packaging options (industry-standard)
- 250 kg steel drum under a dry nitrogen blanket
- IBC or isotank for continuous foam and panel lines
- Packaging options and available pack sizes are confirmed with each quotation.
Storage & handling
- Store within the recommended temperature window under a dry inert atmosphere
- Never allow water ingress — the reaction generates carbon dioxide and pressurises containers
- Provide respiratory protection, ventilation and spill neutralisation procedures at every transfer point
Documentation available
- Technical data sheet (TDS) for the offered grade
- Safety data sheet (SDS) in the format required for Canadian import
- Certificate of analysis (COA) against the confirmed batch
- Transport and dangerous-goods documentation for the shipping mode
- Documentation is confirmed per batch at quotation; availability depends on the grade and supplier offered.
RFQ checklist for mdi-diphenylmethane-diisocyanate-canada
Include these fields to receive an accurate Canada-landed quotation
- System type (rigid foam, board binder, adhesive or elastomer)
- Required NCO content, functionality and viscosity
- Drum, IBC or bulk intake, and whether heated storage exists on site
- Annual volume and volume per shipment
- Packaging format your plant can receive
- Documentation and regulatory letters required
- Delivery province or port of discharge
Technical & procurement detail
Functional role of mdi (diphenylmethane diisocyanate)+
The isocyanate is the reactive half of every polyurethane system: it reacts with polyol hydroxyl groups to build the urethane linkage and with water to generate the carbon dioxide that blows a foam. Pure MDI's low vapour pressure and controlled reactivity make it the choice for elastomers and TPU where property consistency matters.
Selecting the right grade+
Isomer ratio, NCO content, functionality and whether the product is pure, modified or a prepolymer determine reactivity and end properties. System type, processing window and equipment determine what is quoted, and handling requirements are reviewed as part of the enquiry.
Documentation and specification+
Properties differ between producers and between grades of the same material. Allzone confirms the applicable grade with the supplier before quoting and shares the technical data sheet and safety data sheet for the exact material offered, so the values you evaluate are the values you receive.
Frequently asked questions
Do you provide safety documentation for isocyanates?+
Yes. The supplier safety data sheet for the exact grade is provided before order confirmation, and transport and handling requirements are confirmed with the material.
Which grade will I be quoted?+
The grade is set by your specification. Share the target performance, process conditions and any customer or regulatory requirement in the RFQ and the matching grade is confirmed with the supplier before quotation.
What packaging is available?+
Packaging is confirmed with the supplier at quotation for the grade and quantity discussed.
Can you deliver across Ontario and Quebec?+
Yes. LTL and FTL freight is arranged across Ontario, Quebec and Western Canada, with container-direct supply for repeat volumes.
Technical knowledge for MDI Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate Supplier — Canada
Engineering and purchasing guidance written for this material — understand it, apply it, compare options, specify a grade, and fix production problems.
Foundation Articles
Application Guides
Comparison Articles
Troubleshooting Guides
Related products
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Need a quote on MDI (Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate)?
Request pricing, TDS/SDS and available documentation. We usually acknowledge enquiries within one business day; samples are subject to supplier availability and product classification.