React flexibly to new challenges
The ultimate solution for sealing and protection with butyl rubbers
Butyl rubber is an elastic polymer which is produced through the copolymerization of isobutylene and a small amount of isoprene. It is characterized by its excellent weather resistance, chemical resistance, and low gas permeability.
Due to its low permeability to gases like oxygen and nitrogen, butyl rubber is commonly used in the production of tire inner tubes. This property ensures efficient sealing and prevents the escape of air from the tire, resulting in increased durability and reduced pressure loss.
Butyl rubber is also known for its chemical resistance. It is highly resistant to various acids, bases, and solvents, making it suitable for applications where exposure to aggressive chemicals is a concern. Industries such as the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors rely on butyl rubber for sealing and containment applications in pipelines, tanks, and valves. Its ability to withstand corrosive substances contributes to the longevity and reliability of these systems.
Furthermore, butyl rubber possesses good weather resistance. It is resistant to UV radiation, ozone, and weathering effects, making it frequently used in the construction industry for sealing windows, doors, roofing membranes and waterproofing systems.
Polybutene (PB) - A versatile polymer for various applications
Polybutene is a versatile polymer that belongs to the family of polyolefins. It is produced through the polymerization of butene monomers and finds applications in various industries due to its outstanding properties such as high heat resistance, chemical resistance, flexibility, and transparency.
Polybutene is typically used as plasticizers and lubricants and is available in different grades, mainly differentiated by their molecular weight and viscosity. It can withstand a variety of chemicals, acids, and solvents, making it a preferred material in industries dealing with corrosive substances. Furthermore, polybutene shows excellent flexibility and can adapt to different shapes and structures, making it ideal for manufacturing flexible packaging materials, such as films and bags.
Another important application of polybutene is in the manufacturing of adhesives and sealants. Due to its bonding capabilities and flexibility, it is a preferred choice for creating strong and reliable adhesives that can adhere to various surfaces. This makes polybutene-based adhesives suitable for construction, packaging, and automotive applications, among others.
Our TER PIB and TER PIB LMW series offer a comprehensive range of low molecular weight polybutenes. A full product overview is available upon request via our contact form.
SureMix functional processing aids for rubber applications
Manufacturers need to adapt to meet the regulatory, environmental, and customer demands of the day. In the mechanical rubber goods industry, conventional process aids can compromise performance and durability. They are often used to improve compound processability, yet they can cause equipment fouling and compromise ply and rubber-to-metal adhesion.
SureMix helps to provide best-in-class processability while optimizing vulcanization performance and durability. It increases productivity, by eliminating mixing passes and increase mixing capacity by up to 40%. Furthermore, SureMix supports global sustainability initiatives by reducing VOCs (Ethanol) and 25-35% silane reduction. By being able to reduce mixing time, rework, scar, and energy consumption, SureMix saves time and money.
Rubber in danger
Besides several harmful conditions during the use of rubber goods the biggest threat for a rubber compound is ozone. Ozone is a highly reactive molecule containing three oxygen atoms. Ozone cannot only be found in the upper atmosphere but also at ground level. Highest levels occur in industrial and urban environments. Under the influence of UV light ozone breaks apart and forms aggressive oxygen radicals. These radicals attack rubber goods like tires and harm the rubber polymers. While rubber is usually protected from direct UV light by the addition of carbon black and highly effective stabilizers, ozone attacks are faced by the addition of antiozonant waxes to the rubber blend.
Safe with antiozonant waxes
Antiozonant waxes are specialty blends based on paraffin waxes and contain well balanced portions of short and long chained, linear and branched alkanes. In general, one to three percent of these waxes are added to a rubber compound. Once a rubber part is in motion or a tire rolls down the highway, wax starts to migrate from the rubber blend towards the surface of the rubber part. Here, the wax forms a thin protective layer on the surface. If the oxygen radicals start to attack the rubber, they will oxidize the paraffin instead, that keeps the rubber well protected. While the oxidized wax will be washed away over time, new wax will migrate to the surface and ensure long lasting protection.
Ter Hell Paraffin – the composition does the trick
Depending on the length of the chain and their branched character the wax migrates slower or faster to the surface. The migration also depends on the rubber blend and the surrounding temperature. Ter Hell Paraffins function very well to protect rubber goods from ozone attack. Due to their very well-balanced composition, they are effective antiozonant waxes for a variety of different applications in different environments.
Microspheres – Useful fillers
The TER Chemicals portfolio has been expanded to include expandable microspheres in order to meet the constant demand for innovative products. Expandable microspheres are hollow polymeric spheres each of which comprises a thermoplastic shell encapsulating liquid hydrocarbon.
When heated to a temperature high enough to soften the shell, the increasing pressure of the hydrocarbon will cause the microsphere to expand, increasing the sphere volume.
Our MICROSPHERE products are microspheres that can be added to TPR/TPE/TPU/TPV/TPO/HDPE etc. as well as elastomeric materials.
This allows for the following advantages:
1. lower density, usually by adding 1% of microspheres the weight of the products can be reduced by 10-25%.
2. increase elasticity, the physical properties of the products, especially tear strength are improved
3. uniform and dense foaming
4. improved process control, good stability, high controllability, low equipment, and process requirements
5. Reduce costs, polymer can be saved due to the enclosed cavities.
Any questions? Please contact me!
Jens Vinke
Head of BU CASE
Phone: +49 40 300 501 8013
E-Mail: j.vinke@terchemicals.com