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].

RT Dygert released upgrades to its F-7036 75 durometer fluorocarbon compound, including Underwriters Laboratories' approvals.

These upgrades include:

• UL 87C & UL 2586C (DEF Fluid) for static and dynamic applications

• UL 50 / 50E for electrical enclosures

• Approval for MTBE & ETBE /gasoline blends up to 20 percent

• Improved temperature Range (Max 200C)

RT Dygert said F-7036 already is tested and recognized by UL's Category JMLU2, “Gasket and Seals Materials—Components.” It is approved for use in gasoline, gasoline/alcohol blends, kerosene, natural gas, LP gas, diesel fuel, biodiesel and diesel/biodiesel blends and atmospheric ozone.

Additionally, RT Dygert also offers a variety of fluorinated and nitrile compounds that are recognized under UL Category JMLU2 (Gasket and Seal Materials—Components).

For more information about the firm's UL certified products is available here.

Dow Chemical Co.'s Dow Elastomers unit introduced its Infuse Olefin Block Copolymers for use in the athletic shoe midsole.

Infuse OBCs help improve rebound, compression set, comfort and dimensional stability, Dow said, while providing the most lightweight material option available.

Dow said midsoles dictate the life of a shoe, including durability and the quality of the runner's ride, while protecting the runner's foot, absorbing shock from jumping and running during a workout and lessening the impact and stress on the body.

Formulators using Infuse OBCs are seeing midsoles with enhanced flexibility, adhesion and foaming compared to conventional EVA-based midsole foams, Dow said, and Infuse provides improved resilience with similar hardness. Additionally, it gives a more stable performance over a broader temperature range and reduced shrinkage and compression set at elevated temperatures. The technology also can drop into existing foam processes with minor adjustments by the manufacturer, eliminating the need to retool or alter the production process.

Dow said Infuse OBCs were awarded the 2012 ICIS Product Innovation Award because of the technology's unique blend of flexible polymer blocks with hard blocks of high-melting-point polymer, an innovation never before achieved or thought possible, in the plastics marketplace.

More information about Dow can be found at its website.

Master Bond Inc. said its EP21AOLV-2Med is often selected for bonding, sealing, coating and encapsulation applications in the medical device industry because of its biocompatibility and cytotoxicity certifications.

The EP21AOLV-2Med is a two-component epoxy system that withstands a variety of sterilization methods, including EtO, radiation and many cold sterilants.

EP21AOLV-2Med is thermally conductive and electrically isolating with a smooth consistency and good flow properties, Master Bond said, and it bonds well to metals, composites, glass, ceramics, plastics and many rubber materials.

The system offers a high tensile modulus of 450,000-500,000 psi, a compressive strength exceeding 18,000 psi and very low shrinkage upon curing. EP21AOLV-2Med's viscosity and low coefficient of thermal expansion enable it to be suitable for potting and encapsulation applications. It also resists many chemicals, including water, oils and fuels. This medical grade product is serviceable over the temperature range of -60°F to +250°F.

Featuring a one to one mix ratio by weight, a 100 gram batch of EP21AOLV-2Med has a working life of 4-6 hours at room temperature, Master Bond said. Part A is gray and Part B is off-white and can be easily applied with a spatula, knife, trowel, brush or paint roller.

This system cures at room temperature or more rapidly with the addition of heat. Master Bond said EP21AOLV-2Med has a shelf life of six months in its original, unopened containers and is available in half-pint kits, pint kits, quart kits, gallon kits and 5 gallon kits.

Master Bond EP21AOLV-2Med meets USP Class VI and ISO 10993-5 specifications for medical device applications and is thermally conductive and a competent electrical insulator.

Read more about Master Bond's electrically insulative systems here.