Compatible Base Materials
Polymer Spheres compatibility with a wide variety of base materials and applications is one of its strengths. Expansion can be done in binders and fibrous materials and yield a homogeneous closed cell structure that’s lower in VOC’s compared to chemical blowing agents. Density of the material drops dramatically from 1.1g/cm to less than 0.02g/cm and because they are encapsulated there is no thermal discoloration (yellowing).
The materials below include familiar names to most people. But what many people don’t know is that Kureha Polymer Microspheres can be combined with these base materials to create unique new materials. Products that allow customers to differentiate in crowded market spaces. Expandable microspheres are one of the most cost effective tools today for precision lightweighting.
PVC Polyvinyl Chloride
PVC is the most widely used member of the vinyl family. It is used in shoe soles, roofing materials and pipe fittings. PVC offers excellent corrosion and weather resistance. It has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is a good electrical and thermal insulator.
PVC Polyvinyl chloride grade names
Primex® Vinnolit
Formolon® Inovyn™
General Temperature Use Range
Up to 80⁰C
Processing Temperature Range
150-200⁰C
Kureha Microspheres Grade
H850
EPDM
A copolymer and terapolymer combination of ethylene and propylene (EPR), combined with a third comonomer adiene (EPDM), Ethylene Propylene has gained wide seal industry acceptance for its excellent ozone and chemical resistance characteristics.
EPDM Grade Names
Dutral ® Keltan ® Vistalon ®
Buna EP ® Nordel®
General Temperature Use Range
-54 TO 150⁰C
Processing Temperature Range
170-190⁰C
Kureha Microspheres Grade
H750, H850
FKM
FKM 80% of fluoroelastomers with a vinylidene monomer provide added heat and chemical resistance over other elastomers such as nitril and neoprene, but are also more expensive. There are various FKM grades that differ in composition such as fluorine content.
FKM Grade Names
Viton® Tecnoflon® Dyneon®
General Temperature Use Range
-40 to 225⁰C
Processing Temperature Range
160-200⁰C
Kureha Microspheres Grade
S1940, S2340
PEBA
PEBA (Polyether block amide) is a high performance thermoplastic elastomer that’s used widely in sporting goods for its flexibility and energy return.
PEBA Grade Name
Pebax® Vestamid®
General Temperature Use Range
Up to 110⁰C
Processing Temperature Range
190-200⁰C
Kureha Microspheres Grade
S1940, S2340
EVA
EVA copolymer which is based on a medium proportion of VA (approximately 4 to 30%) is referred to as thermoplastic ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and is a thermoplastic elastomer material. It is not vulcanized but has some of the properties of a rubber or of plasticized polyvinyl chloride particularly at the higher end of the range. Both filled and unfilled EVA materials have good low temperature properties and are tough. The materials with approximately 11% VA are used as hot melt adhesives.
EVA Grade Names
Elvax® Escorene™ Ateva® Acryft®
NUS® Evaflex® Excellen®
General Temperature Use Range
Up to 70⁰C
Processing Temperature Range
150-220⁰C
Kureha Microspheres Grade
H750, H850
TPU Polyurethane
There are two primary types of TPU, which type depends on the type of abrasion resistance and resistance to other chemicals the application requires. Polyether for impingement or Polyester for friction or sliding applications. TPU is a multi-phase block copolymer with high tensile strength that exhibits strong resistance to oil, grease and solvents.
TPU Polyurethane Grade Names
Viton® Tecnoflon® Dyneon®
General Temperature Use Range
60-170⁰C Depending on Grade
Processing Temperature Range
190-220⁰C
Kureha Microspheres Grade
S1940, S2340, H850
Nitrile (NBR, NIR)
From the Nitrile family is a synthetic rubber copolymer which has good resistance to oil and other hydrocarbons.
Nitrile NBR, NIR Grade Names
Nipol® Krynac® Perbunan®
General Temperature Use Range
-40 to 121⁰C
Processing Temperature Range
190-220⁰C
Kureha Microspheres Grade
M330, M430
PE Polyethylene
Polyethylene’s is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyester based on polyethylene terephthalate material. PET is ductile and has low moisture absorption and good abrasion resistance. Varying grades of Polyethylene are determined by their polymer chain length.
PE Polyethylene Grade Names
ERTALYTE® HITECH®Tecapet®
General Temperature Use Range
Up to 70-82⁰C
Processing Temperature Range
200-230⁰C
Kureha Microspheres Grade
S1940, S2340
PP Polypropylene
Polypropylene has strong physical, chemical and mechanical properties and provides excellent resistance to organic solvents, degreasing agents and electrolytic attack. It has excellent resistance to acids and alkaline, but poor resistance to aromatic, aliphatic and chlorinated solvents.
PP Polypropylene Grade Names
Adstif™ SABIC® PP ExxonMobil™ PP
General Temperature Use Range
100-130⁰C
Processing Temperature Range
220-230⁰C
Kureha Microspheres Grade
S1940, S2340
ABS
ABS is derived from acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. The most important mechanical properties of ABS are impact resistance and toughness.
ABS Grade Names
Styrac-ABS, Zeon Compound, Toyolac™
General Temperature Use Range
Up to 105⁰C
Processing Temperature Range
190-260⁰C
Kureha Microspheres Grade
S1940, S2340
TPV
Thermoplastic vulcanizates exhibits both vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic properties. It’s an EPDM and Polypropylene matrix that are known for their weatherability, chemical and ozone resistance.
TPV Grade Names
Santoprene™ Garaflex® Milastomer™ Excelink®
General Temperature Use Range
-30 TO 160⁰C
Processing Temperature Range
200-220⁰C
Kureha Microspheres Grade
S1940, S2340
HNBR
Hydrogenated Nitrile HNBR is a high tensile strength elastomer. HNBR maintains its modulus at higher temperatures and depending on Acrylonitrile (CAN) percentage it exhibits excellent resistance to hydrocarbons.
HNBR Grade Names
Zetpol® Therban®
General Temperature Use Range
-30 TO 170⁰C
Processing Temperature Range
190-220⁰C
Kureha Microspheres Grade
H850, H750
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