Birch Vale, UK -- Dow Hyperlast has introduced a comprehensive range of sub-sea pipeline-insulation and field-joint systems for use in water depths of up to 3000 m (10 000 ft). These systems incorporate polymer and glass syntactic materials with solid polyurethane elastomers.
The company says its latest systems differ from the previous formulations in that no mercury catalyst is used, allowing environmental concerns about these materials to be met.
The recently introduced Hyperlast Low Density Syntactic Polyurethane (LD512E) is only available without a mercury catalyst, said the company.
Meanwhile, the remainder of Dow Hyperlast's range of sub-sea products now have the option of non-mercury catalysts -- without any loss of physical and chemical properties or change in their "excellent hydrolytic resistance," according to a company statement.
Development of deep-water oil and gas production is increasing, commented Dow Hyperlast, which feels it is a leader in "developing materials and technology that help to improve flowline design, reduce thermal loss and value the environment."
Dow Hyperlast is part of Dow Polyurethane (PU) Systems, a business group of Dow Chemical Co., and a leading developer of polyurethane materials.
With facilities in the UK, supported by the global reach of Dow Polyurethane (PU) Systems' manufacturing capabilities and technical support, Dow Hyperlast said it is able to provide "an exceptionally high level of support to its offshore oil and gas customers across the world."
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