Baton Rouge, Loiusiana -Albemarle Corp. has a new polymer chain extender which it says helps control cure rates in polyurea and hybrid spray coating systems used in truck bed liners. The agent, Ethacure 420 chain extender, is also suitable for construction coatings and systems used in adhesives, sealants and elastomeric materials, said a 2 April announcement from the speciality chemicals maker.
Ethacure 420 is an aromatic-diamine curing agent designed to allow applicators tight adjustment of cure rate. It adds to Albemarle's existing polymer additives, which include other aromatic diamine curatives such as Ethacure 100 and Ethacure 100 LC.
"Albemarle's new Ethacure 420 chain extender meets a growing demand for use in polyurea spray coating applications," said Scott Sutton, vice president of Albemarle's stabilisers and curatives division, in the company statement. "Using this product in conjunction with our industry-recognised Ethacure 100 curative or with any aromatic curing agent provides excellent cure time flexibility for the various end uses of polyurea."
According to Albemarle, key benefits for formulators and applicators include:
-- Improved "pot life" (working life) of formulations, for longer set times;
-- Easier, more consistent application of thicker spray coatings and soft elastomers;
-- Higher flow rates, for better coating adherence and rough-surface penetration;
-- Smoother, more attractive finishes (no "orange peel" effect; and
-- Excellent tensile strength for severe-service uses such as containment barriers, floors, parking garages and bridges.
Ethacure 420, manufactured at Albemarle's Tyrone, Pennsylvania, facility, is available now for sampling and in commercial quantities, said the group.
"
