Stannous Octoate (T9 / T-9) is the standard tin catalyst for continuous flexible slabstock polyurethane foam. Ambizent supplies T9 to foam manufacturers worldwide, with a Certificate of Analysis on every shipment.
Stannous Octoate — sold industry-wide as T9 or T-9 — is the standard tin catalyst behind continuous flexible slabstock polyurethane foam. Ambizent supplies T9 to foam manufacturers worldwide, matched with the amine catalysts and isocyanates that make up a complete, balanced system.
What is Stannous Octoate T9?
Stannous Octoate is tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (CAS 301-10-0), an organotin compound supplied as a light yellow to amber, oily liquid with a typical tin content of roughly 28%. It is insoluble in water and hydrolyses in its presence, which is central to both how it is used and how it must be stored. Commercially it is sold under names including T9, T-9 and Tin Octoate, and it is the catalyst most flexible-foam producers mean when they specify a "tin catalyst" in a slabstock formulation.
How T9 works — and why it is paired with an amine catalyst
T9 is strongly gel-selective: it accelerates the reaction between isocyanate and polyol (building the polymer network) far more than the reaction between isocyanate and water (generating the CO2 that expands the foam). Left on its own, a gel-heavy system without enough blow activity risks a tight, under-expanded foam. That is why T9 is almost always balanced against a blow-active amine catalyst — commonly Amine Catalyst A33 — so the gel and blow reactions proceed at rates that give the target cell structure, rise profile and cure speed. Getting that balance right is one of the most important formulation decisions in flexible slabstock production; see our guide on troubleshooting flexible foam defects for how an imbalance shows up as collapse, shrinkage or splitting.
Applications
Flexible slabstock foam — the standard gel catalyst for continuous foam-blowing lines.
Moulded flexible foam — including high-resilience (HR) systems.
Polyurethane coatings & elastomers — cure catalysis in cast and coating systems.
CASE applications — used alongside amine catalysts in adhesives and sealants.
Typical properties
Property
Typical value
Chemical name
Stannous Octoate (Tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate)
CAS number
301-10-0
Appearance
Light yellow to amber, oily liquid
Tin content
~28%
Solubility in water
Insoluble; hydrolyses on prolonged contact
Packaging
25 kg drums; IBCs or bulk for larger volumes
Values are typical and for guidance only; a batch Certificate of Analysis is provided with every shipment.
Why source T9 from Ambizent
Certificate of Analysis on every shipment — verify tin content and grade before you use it.
Worldwide supply from our UAE hub — the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and beyond.
Balanced systems — source T9 alongside Amine Catalyst A33 and your isocyanate/polyol from one partner.
Documentation handled — SDS, certificates of origin and Incoterms end to end.
Stannous Octoate, commonly sold as T9 or T-9, is tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (CAS 301-10-0), an organotin gel catalyst used in polyurethane foam. It is a light yellow to amber, oily liquid with a typical tin content around 28%, and is the standard tin catalyst for continuous flexible slabstock foam production.
What does T9 do in a foam formulation?
T9 is a strongly gel-selective catalyst — it accelerates the isocyanate-polyol (gel) reaction with much less effect on the isocyanate-water (blow) reaction. Formulators balance it against an amine catalyst such as Amine A33 to control the relative rates of gelling and blowing, which determines cell structure, rise profile and cure speed.
Is Stannous Octoate the same as Dibutyltin Dilaurate (DBTDL)?
No. Both are organotin polyurethane catalysts, but they are different compounds with different reactivity and stability profiles. Stannous Octoate (T9) is the standard choice for flexible slabstock foam; DBTDL is more commonly used in coatings, sealants and some rigid or CASE systems. They are not directly interchangeable without reformulation.
How should Stannous Octoate be stored and handled?
Stannous Octoate hydrolyses on contact with moisture, so it should be kept sealed, stored in a cool, dry area away from water and incompatible materials, and used promptly once opened. It should not be pre-mixed into a polyol premix containing water for extended storage, since hydrolysis reduces its catalytic activity over time.
What packaging is T9 supplied in?
Stannous Octoate is commonly supplied in 25 kg drums for smaller volumes, with IBCs or bulk available for larger, recurring orders. Ambizent matches packaging to your volume, route and handling capability, with a Certificate of Analysis on every shipment.
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