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Advanced catalyst transforms elastomers
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01/05/2007
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From 2008, DSM Elastomers is to start producing specialty EP(D)Ms based on a worldwide exclusive licensing agreement with Nova Chemicals.
Based on Nova Chemicals’ proprietary single site catalyst technology, DSM has achieved key breakthroughs that allow for the efficient production of EP(D)Ms with improved properties. This new technology will be branded Keltan ACE (advanced catalysis elastomers).
Radiator hoses are likely to be the first automotive products to benefit from the new materials, closely followed by V-belts, brake seals, air-conditioning and brake hoses.
DSM Elastomers president Bob Hartmayer said the new catalysts allowed specialty EP(D)Ms to be tailor-made with characteristics that cannot be reached with conventional Ziegler-Natta technology. A number of patents had been filed protecting an entirely new class of EP(D)Ms, containing very high levels of VNB (2-vinyl-5-norbornene) as third monomer, without causing gelation or uncontrolled polymer branching.
These high VNB products respond extremely well to peroxide cures allowing users to reduce by around 50% the amount of expensive peroxide while maintaining material properties. And compounds can be loaded to a much higher extent while maintaining material properties.
Additional advantages for the new high VNB product can be found in both compound processability and ageing properties. A small portion of hyper-branched chain structures accounts for extreme shear thinning behaviour, allowing for excellent processability especially in very polymer-rich formulations.
DSM has rationalised its entire Keltan EPDM reducing the number of grades from 125 to around 25 to cover all applications. Much of the work was done in consultation with customers.
Along with the repositioning of the materials comes a rebranding – Keltan Nothing Compares – and a refocused range of technical and support services.
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Author
Roger Bishop
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