Use of carbodiimide-containing compositions for controlling pot life

A method for controlling pot life of polyurethane-based systems having a polyol and a polyisocyanate that when mixed together have a defined polymerization pot life, the method comprising:

• extending the pot life of the polyurethane-based system by separately mixing at least one of the polyol and the polyisocyanate with at least one carbodimide of the formula (I)
• R1—(O)—OC—HN—(R—N═C═N—)m—R—NH—CO—(O)—R1 (I)
• wherein:
• m=1 to 40,
• R is C6-C18-alkylene or C6-C18-cycoalkylene, and
• R1 is C1-C4-alkyl or —(CH2)h—O—[(CH2)k—O]g—R2, where h=1-3, k=1-3, g=5-20, and where R2 is H or C1-C4-alkyl,
• at least prior to mixing of the polyol and the polyisocyanate to provide a polyurethane-based system having an extended pot life;
• and
• controlling the polymerization pot life by mixing the polyol, the polyisocyanate, and the at least one carbodiimide to begin polymerization and polymerizing the components over the extended pot life of at least 420 seconds.