13 Apr 2005
DuPont TM coupling agents improve mechanical performance and flame retardancy of wire and cable compounds
Distrupol adds Fusabond® modifiers to polymer portfolio
Distrupol, a member company of Univar and leading polymer distributor, technical service and solutions provider, has added several new grades of DuPont's range of Fusabond® modifiers to the extensive portfolio of plastics materials available to its customers in the UK and Ireland.
Fusabond modifiers, or coupling agents, improve both the mechanical properties and flame retardancy in halogen-free, flame retardant and low-smoke insulation and jacketing compounds used in wire and cable applications. They are supplied in a variety of base resins and are designed, primarily, for incorporation into polyethylene and polypropylene compounds.
The addition of a Fusabond coupling agent, typically, increases a wire and cable compound's tensile strength by 20-30% and elongation at break by up to 300-400%. This results in a more flexible and durable product that will allow higher filler loadings, thereby increasing the compound's flame retardancy.
"Extensive trials have shown that Fusabond coupling agents have a significant, positive influence on the physical performance and flammability characteristics of wire and cable formulations," confirms DuPont's David Wrigley. "Rigorous quality control ensures the modifiers have a minimal gel content to guarantee their homogeneity in the base polymer so that wire and cable extrusion lines are able to perform at their usual, very high speeds."
"We are delighted to distribute Fusabond modifiers to our customers in the UK and Ireland," says Andrew Canning, Commercial Manager, Distrupol UK. "Their incorporation in wire and cable formulations provides added value for both compounders and end-users, and Distrupol is committed to providing excellence in technical support and product enhancement in order to develop their acceptance in the market."
Resins in the DuPont Fusabond product line are modified polymers that have been enhanced, typically by maleic anhydride grafting, in order to improve their bonding performance in toughened, filled and blended compounds. The range includes Fusabond grades based on polyethylenes, polypropylenes, ethylene vinyl acetates, ethylene propylene rubbers and ethylene acrylate copolymers.
Flame retardant fillers such as alumina trihydrate and magnesium hydroxide show a particular affinity to Fusabond maleic anhydride grafted resins. Property improvements are also achieved when Fusabond is in combination with more common fillers, such as calcium carbonate.
Fusabond® is a registered trademark of DuPontTM.
Notes for editors
About Distrupol
Distrupol provides plastics processors with the most comprehensive link to the world’s leading polymers. Underpinning its customer-centric, Europe-wide materials distribution business is a full range of technical and application development assistance to supplement customers’ own resources. Adapted to individual needs and local conditions, Distrupol’s services give the support that delivers optimized technical and commercial solutions.
About Univar
Univar NV is a chemical distribution leader in North America and Europe, with annual sales of approximately 5 billion Euro. The company serves customers in key industry sectors from a broad-based product offering sourced from the world’s foremost chemical producers. Customer sectors include food, pharmaceuticals, personal care, natural resources, cleaning products and coatings, and they are supported through an extensive network of 195 centres located throughout the USA, Canada and 14 European countries. For more information: www.univarcorp.com.