Fastening & Assembly Solutions & Technology July 2012

and epoxy novolac resins such as Araldite
GT 7220 illustrate the wide offering of
Araldite blends.
Similarly, the company’s Araldite and
Aradur master batch concentrates can be
diluted into final formulations to provide
high quality homogeneous dispersions.
Examples of this are Aradur 1571, a viscous
dispersion of solid latent hardener
into liquid epoxy resin or the Araldite DW
series of concentrated coloured epoxy
pastes (see figure 4). Also, Araldite or
Aradur adducts allow easier introduction
into formulations or are used to provide
better control for several properties or
behaviour such as the polymerisation
time.
Formulation optimisation
One of the main characteristics of any type
of formulation is its ability to be processed
in an easy, efficient and cost effective way.
Rheology and curing kinetics are among
the most important influencing parameters:
formulators are often looking to achieve
the lowest final viscosity or for low viscosity
building blocks that allow introduction
into the formulation of larger amounts of
other components without negative influence
on the ease of processing.
Gaining control over curing kinetics is
essential for determining whether a formulation
is suitable for the intended
application and process. To help formulators
to develop their systems with ease,
Huntsman provides low to very low viscosity
building blocks: from mono or
multifunctional reactive diluents such as
Araldite DY-E or Araldite DY-T, to high
purity distilled resins such as Araldite PY
306, Araldite GY 285 or Araldite MY790
(bis-phenol A or F based resins) or the trifunctional
and structural resins Araldite
MY 0510 and Araldite MY 0610 (see
figure 5).
For adjusting the curing profile,
Huntsman also provides several chemical
families of hardeners and accelerators.
For low to medium thermal resistance
applications polyamidoamine hardeners
allow gel times at room temperature from
60 minutes (Aradur 250) to more than 15
hours (Aradur 100). For medium to high
thermal and structural applications, amine
based formulated hardeners offer gel
times from 5 minutes (Aradur 2992) to
more than 15 hours (Aradur 3489). Solid
latent hardeners and accelerators, take
Aradur 3123 imidazole for example, pro-
vide long latency in combination
with high thermal
and mechanical performances
(see figure 6).
Limiting toxic substances
The European Union, government
and company policies
concerning the toxicity
of chemicals are becoming
more stringent. REACH,
the European Community
Regulation on chemicals
provides a good illustration
of this: Companies must
register each chemical substance
they wish to sell in
Europe, and REACH also
calls for the substitution of
the most dangerous chemicals
wherever suitable alternatives
are available.
In backing the initiative,
Huntsman supports chemical
formulators by initiating
the registration all of the
substances present in its various
ranges. Huntsman is
also committed to support
customers in any kind issues
they can face in term of regulation
of chemicals.
The company has also
decided to withdraw, wherever
technically possible,
the toxic substances from its
ranges of components. For
example, Aradur 43-1 and
Aradur 46-1 are now
Bisphenol A-free hardeners.
In Rhodeftal 210
polyamide-imide resin,
NMP solvent has also been
substituted as has nonylphenol
in hardeners such as
Aradur 15-1 or Aradur 3275.
FAST JULY 2012
Figure 4: Master batch concentrates can be diluted into
final formulations
Figure 5: Comparing the viscosity of building blocks
Figure 6: Solid latent hardeners and accelerators provide
long latency in combination with high thermal and
mechanical performances
Huntsman is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals. Its
operating companies manufacture products for a variety of global industries, including
chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and coatings,
construction, technology, agriculture, health care, detergent, personal care, furniture,
appliances and packaging. Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging
and, later, for rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, Huntsman today
has more than 11,000 employees and operates from multiple locations worldwide.
The Company had 2011 revenues of approximately $11 billion. For more information
about Huntsman, please visit the Company’s website at www.huntsman.com.
HUNTSMAN ADVANCED MATERIALS +41 61 299 1111
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