Kaneka MS Polymer™: Your Vision, Our Technology

Introduction

Kaneka took a groundbreaking step in the industry approximately 40 years ago by introducing silane-terminated polyethers (STPE) to the Japanese market. The first Kaneka MS PolymerTM classes were launched as high-elasticity, low-modulus sealant materials for use in earthquake-prone regions. The inadequacy of existing silicone and polyurethane sealant solutions created a significant market need for new and innovative technology. Kaneka researchers successfully combined the advantages of silicones and polyurethanes to produce a new polymer, which they named Modified Silicone Polymer or MS PolymerTM. High elasticity, paintability and superior UV resistance brought MS PolymerTM to great success in Japan and many other markets. Kaneka's endless passion for innovation enabled a broad portfolio encompassing sealant materials, adhesives and coating applications.

Technology

Kaneka MS PolymerTM distinguishes itself from other silicones and polyurethanes through its functional polyether main chain and silane end groups. In its moisture-cured system, curing occurs only when both catalyst and water are present; Mixing MS PolymerTM with only one of these results in a non-reactive mixture. This enables the achievement of a raw material with long-term durability and stability. After MS PolymerTM is added to the formulation, the moisture content must be carefully controlled to prevent curing within the cartridge, container or other packaging materials.

From Sealants to Adhesives

While the polymer portfolio in the 1970s was limited to high-elasticity sealants, recent years have seen increased demand for stiffer adhesive classes. First acrylic-modified MS PolymerTM classes, then high-strength classes were introduced to the market. A wide range of applications exists for both sealant and adhesive classes. In addition to the versatility they offer in terms of mechanical performance, MS PolymerTM-based sealants and adhesives also deliver superior adhesion performance. In addition to primer-free adhesion characteristics known in the industry for metals, they also offer superior adhesion performance for plastics. As the automotive and transportation sectors increasingly turn to lighter materials, demand for structural adhesives that bond well to plastics and composite materials continues to grow. The newest high-strength MS PolymerTM classes are capable of meeting these demanding applications.

Properties

Kaneka MS PolymerTM has been rapidly and firmly accepted in Japan and Europe with its balanced properties and performance that are difficult to achieve with other technologies. Through continuous new polymer development work over the past 40 years, a very broad portfolio has been obtained. Depending on the required properties and application area, specific polymers or combinations are preferred. The most important properties of Kaneka MS PolymerTM-based sealants and adhesives are: • Can adhere to a wide variety of surfaces without primer, • Environmentally friendly: Contains no isocyanates or solvents, low volatile organic compound (VOC) content and can be used in formulations of unlabeled products, • Available in a range of low-to-high viscosity polymers, enabling use for various products spanning from sprayable or easily pourable products to putty-type sealants/adhesives, • Climate resistance: Offers high UV, heat and moisture resistance, • Retains high elasticity even at temperatures below 0°C, • Easy to use even at very low or very high temperatures, • Easily paintable with water or solvent-based paints, • Provides long shelf life due to stability during storage, • Does not form gas during curing, therefore does not cause bubbles, • Can have a hardness ranging from very soft to hard.

Applications

The properties mentioned above mean that Kaneka MS PolymerTM-based sealants and adhesives find application in a wide range of uses: •Do-It-Yourself (DIY) and Consumer Products: Multi-purpose sealants and adhesives, high-strength repair adhesives, mirror adhesives, plumbing sealants, strong adhesives. •Flooring: Parquet, wood, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), mosaics, tiles. •Building and Construction: Exterior facade joints, natural stone and perimeter joints, panel bonding. Additionally, waterproofing for comprehensive repairs, adhesives for bitumen, EPDM/TPO sheets and roof sealants. All these construction sealants and adhesives provide wind, air and watertight structures, offering suitable solutions for low-energy-consumption buildings. •Industrial Applications: Semi-structural adhesives specific to the automotive and transportation sectors, such as windshield and panel adhesives, sealants for refrigerated containers and flame-retardant sealants. While new applications such as MS Foam continue to be developed, pressure-resistant adhesives can also be produced or developed using Kaneka MS PolymerTM.

Conclusion

Kaneka's current and unique MS PolymerTM portfolio addresses sealant, adhesive and even coating needs. The technology kit offered facilitates the work of formulators and enhances the quality of their products. With 40 years of experience in moisture-cure technology, Kaneka, a science fiction company, is putting all its effort into making your dreams come true. Jo Indesteege Director MS Polymer Division Kaneka Belgium NV