WCA September 2008

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Elastomers to improve flexibility and ease processing of compounds

Metallocene-based Vistalon EPDM rubber provides added flexibility and improved processability in medium- and low-voltage compounds with the inherent metallocene property of cleanliness. recently introduced Vistalon™ EPM (ethylene propylene monomer) rubber 722, which can improve processing costs and cable flexibility in medium- and low-voltage wire and cable applications. Compared to conventional EPDM, this metallocene-based product can provide processing improvements while exhibiting similar performance. It offers improved flexibility at low temperatures compared with cross- linked polyethylene (PE). With many consumer electronics manufacturers now specifying the use of PVC-free and halogen-free cables, ExxonMobil Chemical’s Exact plastomers are proving successful as a blend partner for ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) in thermoplastic halogen-free flame retardant (HFFR) formulations. When used in combination with other polymers, Exact plastomers increase flexibility while exhibiting low density, good mechanical properties, high toughness and excellent environmental stress crack resistance. They accept high filler loadings, which is important for HFFR formulations, and process well on thermoplastic extrusion lines. Exact plastomers are being used in a range of electrical applications including insulation, jacketing and semi-conductive compounds. Santoprene TPVs compounds are ready-to-use for electrical insulation and jacketing applications. Benefits include environmental resistance to ozone, chemicals and UV; resistance to extreme temperatures (–60ºC to +105ºC); better low temperature flexi- bility than thermoplastic polyolefins (TPOs) and PVC; good oil resistance; high dielectric strength and good wet electrical properties. ExxonMobil Chemical Company – USA Fax : +1 330 849 5599 Email : elastomers.sales@exxonmobil.com Website : www.exxonmobilchemical.com ExxonMobil Chemical

compositions. In addition, these cost competitive speciality elasto- mers are available in pellet form for easier processing. All are compliant with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directives, and many grades are Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved.

ExxonMobil Chemical presented a broad portfolio of speciality elastomers for wire and cable applications at Chinaplas 2008. Vistalon™ EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber, Exact™ plastomers and Santoprene™ thermo- plastic vulcanizates (TPVs) are said to improve flexibility in polyolefin-based

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Wire & Cable ASIA – September/October 2008