A weekly look at new products, innovations

Editor's Note: Each week, Rubber & Plastics News will take a look at some of the rubber industry's new products and innovations on www.rubbernews.com. Does your company have a new product or new innovation? To be considered for inclusion in this recurring feature, email [email protected].

Dymax Corp. has introduced two UV/visible light-curable, form-in-place and cure-in-place gasketing resins.

Dymax said these resins are formulated with high-visibility black (GA-140-B) and green (GA-140-G) color enabling easy confirmation of correct placement of the gasket. These products demonstrate excellent bond strength to metals, glass and most plastics. They are typically used in sealing applications on fuel cell plates and stacks, automotive door handles and side-mirror assemblies, and appliance housings, as well as in critical electronic assembly and device applications.

These materials resist high-temperature and high-moisture environments, Dymax said, while maintaining superior adhesion and flexibility. They exhibit low shrinkage, resulting in reduced stress on the fuel cell plate, stack housing, appliance housing, or electronic assembly.

For additional information, visit www.dymax.com.

ExxonMobil Chemical has unveiled Vistamaxx PBE Part Sample Library, a virtual library that allows customers to search and discover a range of commercial applications in which Vistamaxx propylene-based elastomer is used to add value in different ways.

The potential benefits of Vistamaxx PBE in application include: new levels of performance, low total cost solutions and simplified processing; along with help to deliver more sustainable solutions for polypropylene modification and compounding applications because its low density relative to many other polymers can allow lightweight products to be designed.

ExxonMobil said when Vistamaxx PBE is used in a polyolefin blend, it can contribute to less overall waste in the manufacturing process, as any scrap produced during processing can be recycled.

The library is available as an app and online at: www.exxonmobilchemical.com/k2013.

Master Bond Inc. has released catalog on adhesives, sealants and coatings for the electronic industry.

The 32-page catalog offers performance and processing data on Master Bond's line of epoxy, silicone, polyurethane, silicate based and light curing compounds. These products provide solutions to PCB assembly, die-attach, conformal coating, surface mount, lid sealing, chip and wire bonding applications. Convenient, efficient and reliable packaging options are also reviewed.

Products are available as liquids, pastes, films and preforms. Electrically insulative, thermally conductive and electrically conductive grades are listed. Pertinent mechanical, electrical, thermal and chemical resistant properties are shown. Additionally, information is provided on viscosity, cure speed, working life, color, etc.

This catalog is available for immediate download in PDF format or in print. They can be requested at http://www.masterbond.com/catalog/adhesives-electronic-applications.

Master Bond also announced its Master Bond EP21NDFG bonds, Its non-drip two component epoxy features a thick paste consistency, which bonds well to a variety of substrates including metals, composites, glass, ceramics and many types of rubbers and plastics.

Master Bond said unlike many high viscosity systems, EP21NDFG is non-drip and will not run or sag, even when applied to vertical surfaces. It produces high strength, durable bonds that resist thermal cycling as well as chemicals including water, oils, fuels, acids, bases and salts.

Once cured, EP21NDFG is an electrically insulative system and is serviceable over the temperature range of -60°F to +250°F.

Qualitest International Inc. has launched Moving Die Rheometer, a cost-saving and reliable device that effectively measures changes in the stiffness of rubber samples.

Qualitest said Rheometer features custom-designed MDR software, developed to provide an intuitive, user-friendly and customizable interface that can be configured for a wide variety of tests, the company said. This software also includes an automatic data backup system to protect test results.

Moving Die Rheometer offers both sealed die and un-sealed die type configurations to suit a wide range of needs.

Qualitest also has introduced its DigiTest II Automatic Motorized Hardness Testing System, a Shore/IRHD hardness tester with a modular design.

Qualitest's DigiTest II provides the accurate results while remaining cost effective and adaptable, Qualitest said, because of its extensive range of accessories and its automatic testing procedure.

More information is available at http://www.worldoftest.com/index.htm.

Wacker Chemie A.G. introduced various new products.

• Genioplast Pellet P plus: a high-performance additive for the compounding and processing of thermoplastics. Genioplast Pellet P plus improves the viscosity and flow properties of the polymer compound, allowing the compound to be processed more efficiently and at lower cost. It also ensures smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces, according to the company.

• Elastosil Film: an extra thin and immaculate film, is available as roll stock in thicknesses down to 20 microns. It is manufactured in cleanroom conditions without the use of solvents. Elastosil Film also can be used as an electroactive polymer. Under certain conditions, EAPs can alter shape when a voltage is applied.

• Elastosil R 781/80: a silicone rubber filled with tiny magnetic particles—roughly 10 micrometers in size—that are made of ferrimagnetic magnetite material. These are firmly integrated into the silicone rubber matrix and are capable of being magnetized in the presence of a strong magnetic or electromagnetic field, Wacker said. Together with other magnets, this magnetic effect is particularly pronounced.

The new silicone elastomer offers diverse application possibilities. The cured silicone is extremely heat-resistant and withstands temperatures ranging from –40°C to +200°C.

• Elastosil LR 3022/60: a silicone rubber for making seals fully suited for cooling systems. The addition-cure liquid silicone rubber features a very low compression set. The silicone rubber's lasting resilience ensures consistently high leak-tightness in the seal groove. Molded parts made of the new silicone grade can be used as seals or gaskets even when they are directly exposed to hot coolants.

In addition, the silicone rubber exhibits very good low-temperature flexibility down to -45°C. With this combination of temperature and coolant resistance, it offers an alternative to organic elastomers, according to the company.

• Elastosil R 756: solid silicone rubber grades are designed in such a way that their properties unfold by interaction with the heat stabilizers added to the base rubber during the compounding process. The thermal stability of the vulcanizate is influenced by the type and amount of the chosen stabilizer. The new grades can be processed via compression molding, injection molding or extrusion. The latter method, however, requires the use of a suitable heat stabilizer that is compatible with the crosslinker. The Elastosil R 756 can be used both as a base rubber blend without additives and as a ready-to-process compound that already contains effective heat stabilizers.

• Lumisil LR 7600: product range consists of liquid silicone rubber grades that cure to form highly transparent elastomers. Unlike highly transparent thermoplastics such as polycarbonate and polymethyl methacrylate, Lumisil LR 7600 does not tend to yellow, but remains colorless even at high temperatures and under long-term exposure to artificial or natural light, including ultraviolet radiation, Wacker said. In combination with light emitting diodes, entirely new designs and housing structures are possible. Furthermore, the product enables the development of energy- and cost-efficient solutions, for example in general lighting and car headlights.