New Dow products for adhesives

Dow Polyurethanes, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, has launched Vorasil silane modified polymers (SMPs). A cost-effective breakthrough in adhesive and sealant solutions, Vorasil SMPs are a proprietary, unique hybrid comprised of a polyurethane backbone and silane end groups, allowing for a balance of low viscosity and fast ambient cure time. These polymers allow adhesive and sealant manufacturers to formulate materials to reach targeted performance results while also achieving silicone-like properties without silicone cost, the company said. Vorasil 602 and 604 SMPs were unveiled at a private luncheon at the Adhesives and Sealants Conference in the second half of October in Louisville, KY, US. These new products offer substantial handling and sustainability advantages over other conventional industry options and were rigorously tested with adhesive and sealant customers. Vorasil SMPs can be tailor formulated to achieve the following performance characteristics: • Improved balance of viscosity and cure time • Versatile in property space with ability to tailor to specific needs • Cost-effective • Tunable final properties without proc- essing compromise • Hydrophobicity • Enhanced mechanical performance • UV stability and weatherability • High temperature stability • Oil and hydrocarbon resistance "Dow is committed to providing our customers with the newest innovative solutions by utilising our materials science and polymer technology," said Bill Reeves, North American business director, Dow Polyurethanes. "Our new Vorasil delivers the high-quality product characteristics that customers want without the high-end cost associated with many premier products such as silicone. The versatility and cost-effectiveness behind this offering are based fully on our customers' needs." Vorasil 602 and 604 SMPs both provide advantages in performance and production. They can be used separately or blended to provide a wide breadth of properties, providing manufacturers with unprecedented freedom of design. Dow Polyurethanes offers expertise to work with customers to develop the right formulation that meets their needs.