Dosage of TDI – toluene diisocyanate

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a highly reactive chemical compound belonging to the isocyanate family. It is primarily used as a monomer in the manufacture of flexible and rigid polyurethane foams, but also in coatings, glues, paints, and adhesives. Due to its toxicity and volatility, TDI is classified as a hazardous substance, with irritant and respiratory sensitizing effects.

Importance of dosage

TDI testing is crucial because:

• It allows verification of the regulatory compliance of materials intended to come into contact with consumers.
• It guarantees health safety by limiting the risks associated with residual TDI emissions.
• He participates in quality control and validation of industrial processes.
• It is essential in the context of compliance with REACH and CLP regulations, as well as for certain requirements specific to materials in contact with food (MCDA).

Analytical methods

Because TDI is highly reactive, its analysis requires specific preparation, often by chemical derivatization. The main techniques used are:

• Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), offering high sensitivity for detecting TDI at trace levels.
• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), suitable for certain complex matrices.

These methods allow for the precise measurement of the presence and concentration of TDI in a wide variety of media.

Matrices analyzed

TDI testing can be performed on:

• Polyurethane foams.
• Various plastics and polymers.
• Industrial coatings (paints, varnishes).
• Adhesives, glues and construction products.

Industrial applications

Controlling the TDI is essential for:

• Manufacturers of polyurethane foams intended for furniture, bedding, insulation or automotive applications.
• The coatings and adhesives industry, in order to verify the absence of volatile residues.
• The food contact materials sector, to prevent any unwanted migration.
• Those involved in plastic recycling must ensure the absence of dangerous contaminants.

Related analyses in the YesWeLab catalog

TDI testing can be supplemented by other regulatory analyses:

• Dosage of MDI (Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate)
• Monomer assay
• Dosage of NIAS (Non-Intentionally Added Substances)
• NOGE (Nonylphenol Glycidyl Ether) dosage
• Phthalate dosage

YesWeLab Expertise

At YesWeLab, we work with a network of rigorously selected partner laboratories, most of which are ISO 17025 certified and COFRAC accredited. We support you in choosing the analytical methods best suited to your needs, matrices, and regulatory requirements. Our goal is to guarantee reliable and usable results for your compliance and quality control processes.