K 2007 - Düsseldorf, Germany, October 24-31, 2007
DuPont Performance Elastomers - Hall 06 Stand 06/D27

FIFTY YEARS OF VITON® AND LATEST FILM PROCESSING AIDS HIGHLIGHT DUPONT PERFORMANCE ELASTOMERS AT K2007

Viton® FreeFlow™ Z210 and Z110 process aids for plastics masterbatchers and producers of extruded sheet, films, pipes and other thin-walled structures offer cost saving opportunities from faster elimination of melt fracture and reduced die build-up at significantly lower dosage levels than conventional process aids, and improved film quality.

 

After 50 years of development, a key market for Viton® fluoroelastomers is the automotive industry where its outstanding permeation resistance to aggressive fuels helps motor manufacturers meet stringent global evaporative emissions legislation for a greener future.

A key focus of DuPont Performance Elastomers’ (DPE) exhibit at K2007 was the launch of Viton® FreeFlow™ Z210 and Z110 process aids for polyolefins, tailored primarily for plastics masterbatchers and producers of extruded sheet, films, pipes and other thin-walled structures. These important additions to the company’s proprietary Z Technology™ products offer potential cost savings from faster elimination of melt fracture and reduced die build-up at significantly lower dosage levels than conventional process aids, and improvements in film quality. DPE also celebrated the 50 th anniversary of the commercialization of Viton®, which led to the birth of the fluoroelastomers industry, and showcased Hypalon® chlorosulfonated polyethylene, Neoprene polychloroprene, and Vertex™ seal technology.

Latest Viton® FreeFlow™ Z210 and Z110 process aids

According to DPE, the latest Viton® FreeFlow™ process aid extensions will offer masterbatchers all the cost and productivity benefits of the established Z Technology™ products already enjoyed by resin manufacturers, and take advantage of the company’s proprietary large-particle fluoroelastomers technology and PCL or PEG interfacial agents.

Viton® FreeFlow™ Z210 and Z110 process aids are optimized for moderate mixing conditions, including direct dosage during production of solution LLDPE; high concentration masterbatches with over 2 per cent process aid, especially with LDPE carrier; blown film using 1 to 3 MI (Melt Index) LLDPE and LL/LD blends, and extrusion under low shear mixing conditions. All DPE’s Z Technology™ process aids are compliant with food contact regulations in Europe for use in finished film-type food packaging materials.

World’s first fluoroelastomer

DPE celebrated the 50 th anniversary of Viton® — the world’s first commercial fluoroelastomer, and the birth of fluoroelastomers — together with industry representatives during K2007. Since the first commercial application of Viton® in the aerospace industry in 1957, fluoroelastomers have made a major contribution to fluid sealing and containment in sectors as diverse as aerospace and automotive, chemical, petrochemical, food and pharmaceutical processing, and construction. Fluoroelastomer is now a global industry with total annual sales volume expected to reach an estimated 20 thousand tons in 2007.

Today, one of the most important markets for Viton® fluoroelastomers is the automotive industry where its outstanding permeation resistance to aggressive fuels helps motor manufacturers meet stringent global evaporative emissions legislation. And reporting from the super-competitive world of Formula 1 motor racing — an environment that puts vital components to the supreme test — the increasingly successful BMW Sauber F1 team relies on critical fuel-/engine oil-/gearbox oil-/water-/hydraulic system seals and driveshaft boots of Viton® fluoroelastomer for its 2007 season race cars.

Service life of 25 years

Also on show, DPE’s Hypalon® chlorosulfonated polyethylene continues as the material of choice for in automotive, wire and cable, inflatable boat and single ply roofing applications, and in flexible geomembrane liners and covers for raw and potable water storage, as exemplified by the recently commissioned Forest Lake Reservoir in California, USA.

The reservoir liner meets stringent leakproofing, soil stabilizing and environmental demands, in line with new operating permit requirements of the California Department of Water Resources Division of Safety of Dams. Consisting of three layers of Hypalon® and two layers of woven fabric scrim, the high-performance liner material is expected to have a service life of at least 25 years.

Neoprene polychloroprene and Vertex™ seal technology, an innovative Cure-In-Place-Gasket system, completed DPE’s K2007 line-up.

 

About DuPont Performance Elastomers