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Wacker introduces universal high-viscosity silicone Wacker Silicones has developed a range of high-viscosity silicone additives in pellet form that, for the first time, can be processed with any thermoplastic material, the company reports. Genioplast® Pellet S silicone additives are a universal carrier matrix loaded with ultra highmolecular-weight silicone. The company claims that
incorporating the pellets improves compound processing and makes surfaces scratchproof and abrasion-resistant. As well as good mechanical properties, Wacker adds that the compound has enhanced flow and one single product is needed for all polymer materials. There are no compatibility problems between thermoplastic
masterbatch carriers and thermoplastic compounds. Genioplast Pellet S is easy to meter as a dry blend with polymer pellets or together with other additives. Preferred applications for Genioplast include compounds for cable applications and mouldings for automotive parts, Wacker reports. Contact:
Wacker Silicones Website: www.wacker.com
Wacker’s range of silicone pellets developed for any thermoplastic material.
Great Lakes offers flame retardant solution in lead-free soldering applications Tests have shown that using Great Lakes Chemical Corporation’s Firemaster® CP44HF di-bromostyrene flame retardant in electronic applications employing new lead-free solder systems have demonstrated significantly improved results. Electronics applications requiring soldering will have to switch to lead-free systems in 2006, Great Lakes says, following a European Union Reduction of Hazardous substances (RoHS) directive. Because lead-free solder systems typically run at temperatures between 30°C to 50°C higher
Electronic components made using Great Lakes’flame retardant to improve thermal stability.
than traditional lead systems, manufacturers have to ensure that they use internal components with high thermal stability. According to Great Lakes, however, traditional flame retardants such as brominated polystyrene are less effective at increased temperatures because they do not distribute evenly throughout the polymer. Instead, they cluster in what the company calls ‘flame retardant domains’, where moisture can collect and expand when exposed to higher temperatures, causing the polymer to blister the surface of components. Great Lakes says that Firemaster CP-44HF flame retardant lacks the problems of brominated flame retardants because it is a co-polymer of di and tribromostyrene with glycidil methacrylate. In tests, the flame retardant domain was eliminated, improving blister resistance. Firemaster CP-44HF is also said to bond well and offers excellent flow for better processability and increased efficiency with flame retardant synergists. Firemaster CP-44HF is available in pellet form.
Contact: Great Lakes Chemical Corporation
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E-mail:
[email protected] Website: www.fr.greatlakes.com
Plastics Additives & Compounding January/February 2005