Paul Boughton
DSM Elastomers has successfully started its first Keltan EPDM production run using Keltan ACETM technology. This next generation advanced catalyst technology is claimed to combine high catalyst activity, the potential for significant energy savings and new product opportunities.
In March 2007 the company announced its plans to implement advanced catalyst technology in one of its existing plants in Geleen (The Netherlands) to support the development and commercialisation of a new range of Keltan EPDM products. These new products contain relatively large amounts of 2-vinyl-5-norbornene (VNB) as the diene third monomer.
“Keltan products with a high content of VNB can be advantageously applied in peroxide cure applications,” Herman Dikland, Keltan ACE Business Manager, explained. “Typically 30 up to 70 per cent of cross-linking peroxide can be reduced from compound formulations, depending on the type of EPDM to be replaced. Apart from the obvious savings on the cross-linking peroxide, low peroxide dosages are beneficial to prevent blooming of peroxide decomposition products and reduce volatile emissions thereby positively affecting odour, taste, fogging and shrinkage characteristics. Moreover, the high-temperature performance characteristics of products based on VNB-EPDM are excellent, resulting from a low degree of residual unsaturation in the final article”.
Many more advantages with high VNB products have been identified. One example is the improved Mooney scorch behaviour offering enhanced processing safety of peroxide compounds based on VNB-EPDM. Another example is the unique processing features that offer a combination of high zero shear viscosities with high shear thinning. This combination allows smooth extrusions and injections, without sacrificing dimensional stability of processed parts.
The company will start an internal evaluation of its first Keltan ACETM production run and based on the results will start the sampling of its first high-VNB product in the course of 2009.
For more information, visit www.keltan.com
In March 2007 the company announced its plans to implement advanced catalyst technology in one of its existing plants in Geleen (The Netherlands) to support the development and commercialisation of a new range of Keltan EPDM products. These new products contain relatively large amounts of 2-vinyl-5-norbornene (VNB) as the diene third monomer.
“Keltan products with a high content of VNB can be advantageously applied in peroxide cure applications,” Herman Dikland, Keltan ACE Business Manager, explained. “Typically 30 up to 70 per cent of cross-linking peroxide can be reduced from compound formulations, depending on the type of EPDM to be replaced. Apart from the obvious savings on the cross-linking peroxide, low peroxide dosages are beneficial to prevent blooming of peroxide decomposition products and reduce volatile emissions thereby positively affecting odour, taste, fogging and shrinkage characteristics. Moreover, the high-temperature performance characteristics of products based on VNB-EPDM are excellent, resulting from a low degree of residual unsaturation in the final article”.
Many more advantages with high VNB products have been identified. One example is the improved Mooney scorch behaviour offering enhanced processing safety of peroxide compounds based on VNB-EPDM. Another example is the unique processing features that offer a combination of high zero shear viscosities with high shear thinning. This combination allows smooth extrusions and injections, without sacrificing dimensional stability of processed parts.
The company will start an internal evaluation of its first Keltan ACETM production run and based on the results will start the sampling of its first high-VNB product in the course of 2009.
For more information, visit www.keltan.com
