percent per year. To meet such demand, the company intends to create a grade slate of high molecular weight polymers that will cover most customer needs, such as high green strength or extremely low temperature applications.
Gas-phase metallocene production
Rhenman explains that such grades cannot be made through the conventional EPDM manufacturing process -it is gas-phase metallocene production that makes it possible.
In the conventional approach or suspension process, oil must be added during manufacture to enable very high molecular weight and viscosity polymers to be processed. With Nordel MG, this is no longer necessary.
Tests
Customers testing the Nordel MG grade have validated the claimed benefits, including excellent surface finish achieved in extruded products resulting from the low gel in the new-gas phase polymers.
In addition, Nordel MG grades in granular form are claimed to save compounders as much as 30% in mixing cycle time compared with baled EPDM. This also eliminates an entire step in thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) compounding, because no bale grinding is needed.
Product line
The Nordel MG product line incorporates carbon black. The new grade, designated MG 47130, extends the family of other grades (MG 47085 and MG 37060) which have already been introduced.
The new line complements the proven performance of the Nordel IP family of products that have established a new benchmark in EPDM consistency, cleanliness, colour and appearance since their introduction during 1997.