Specialty chemicals company Lanxess recently launched the new system Adiprene LFM C525 cured with Vibracure 2101 developed for the most challenging wheel applications. This MDI polycaprolactone based prepolymer offers excellent performance and great dynamics such as high tear strength, outstanding fatigue and abrasion resistance. To demonstrate the performance and reliability of this differentiated system to the market, Lanxess undertook testing comparing the material with the highest industry standard utilized in polyurethane wheels.
Proven performance and value creation
Adiprene Low Free (LF) MDI C525 is a polycaprolactone based prepolymer with a level of free MDI less than 1%. When cured with Vibracure 2101, the system delivers a 96 Shore A material. Lower hardness elastomers are also possible with variants of Vibracure 2101. Tests were carried out at different loads, speeds and wheel geometries and followed ISO industry standards. In conclusion the system has proven to perform as good as the highest performance industry standard, delivering great dynamics but also a lower rolling resistance allowing energy savings. In addition to the excellent performance Adiprene LFM C525 prepolymer is easy to process, requiring on average 16-24 hours at 115-120 °C post cure time, and it is stable at room temperature for ca. 36 month.
A differentiated low free MDI based solution
This PU system is a unique Lanxess solution, whereby the LF isocyanate technology facilitates the use of this differentiated curative. The LF technology avoids the “starring” effect which creates “star” shaped crystals within the elastomer due to curative precipitation. Along with easier handling and excellent performance, the LF technology also brings unsurpassed health and safety conditions to the processor.
A complete solution for the wheel industry
Understanding the complexity of different wheel applications, Lanxess has developed other LF MDI polycaprolactone systems based on different curative combination allowing to reach hardness from 88 to 96 Shore A. Through many years of technical experience related to PU formulations specific to wheel applications, Lanxess has developed a predictive wheel model tool, that will predict with good accuracy the wheel performance within the final application. Therefore Lanxess can support its customers in evaluating Adiprene LFM C525 in different wheel designs and/or different load/speed conditions.
Source: Lanxess
