Modern Manufacturing Processes and Advanced Applications benefit from innovative Araldite® Technologies

Patricia Albisser 27/10/2010

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At K 2010, Huntsman Advanced Materials will showcase Araldite® Digitalis, a rapid manufacturing machine capable of producing large numbers of parts simultaneously at speed and with a high degree of accuracy. Based on entirely new micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) technology, Araldite® Digitalis is superior to any other radiation curing technique on the market.

Also at the show, Huntsman will be displaying its innovative epoxy and benzoxazine thermoset resins and new, one-component adhesives based on silyl-terminated polymers for a wide range of indoor and outdoor applications.

Huntsman is a leading supplier to the world’s major industrial sectors, offering an integrated rapid, manufacturing solution alongside a comprehensive portfolio of synthetic and formulated polymer systems for high performance materials which outperform the properties, functionality and durability of traditional materials.

In addition to the Araldite® Digitalis machine, the products that will be on the stand at the K exhibition, include:

Araldite® benzoxazine thermoset resins: A new generation of halogen-free materials for a broad range of advanced, fire-resistant applications

The demand for advanced thermosetting resin systems that meet the performance and environmental requirements for use in industries including civil engineering, aerospace, oil exploration and electronics is at an all time high.

The new Araldite® benzoxazine thermoset resins from Huntsman Advanced Materials complement the broad line of multifunctional epoxies, cyanate esters and bismaleimides for which the company has long been known. These products represent a new class of polymers for application interiors, where phenolic resins need to be replaced short term due to their toxicological issues. Araldite® Benzoxazine thermoset resins feature a unique combination of flame retardancy, dimensional stability, low water absorption, low dielectric constant and high temperature resistance.

Uncured phenolic resins contain highly toxic substances like phenol and formaldehyde which evolve during the curing (polycondensation) reaction. The curing mechanism (polyaddition) of Araldite® benzoxazine thermoset resins does not release any gases, eliminating any environmental or processing issues. Included amongst the industries that are reaping the benefits of these innovative materials are composites, coatings, adhesives and encapsulants manufacturing.

Araldite® epoxy resins: Enabling high performance formulations

Also on show are the latest additions to the Araldite® epoxy resin range; Araldite® MY 816 and Araldite® MY 0610. Araldite® MY 816 is a bi-functional resin which provides a good balance between temperature resistance and toughness together with lower water uptake and good flame resistance.

In comparison to other multifunctional resins, Araldite MY® 0610 offers improved stability and much lower viscosity. These two products add to Huntsman’s existing range of speciality epoxy resins, which are suited for making high performance formulations for composites parts manufacturing in high end applications, such as Aerospace and Formula One Racing.

Huntsman will also unveil its patent pending epoxy resin based masterbatch technology, which contains up to 70% by weight of titanium dioxide and can be used for formulating all kinds of white hybrid powder coatings. With this new technology, full opacity of the coating (containing 30% of TiO2 on final formulation) can be reached at 45-50 micron film thickness, therefore saving up to 50% of coating material versus standard technology.

Araldite silyl-terminated polymers for highly flexible composite material

The recently introduced, one-component, moisture curing adhesives – Araldite® 2060 and Araldite® 2061 – can also be seen on the stand this year.

In contrast to the high-strength epoxy and methacrylate-based systems that Huntsman also offers, these one-component adhesives provide outstanding flexibility and elastic recovery combined with high adhesion properties due to their silane modification. Combining good ‘paintability’, weather resistance and outdoor durability, as well as ease of application, these silyl-terminated polymers are free of any isocyanates and do not carry any hazard symbols.

For further information please contact;

Patricia Albisser
Huntsman Advanced Materials (Switzerland) GmbH
K-401.5.77
Klybeckstrasse 200
CH-4057 Basel
Switzerland

Phone: +41-61-299 2664
Fax: +41-61-966 8130
E-mail :patricia_albisser@huntsman.com