Organic Peroxides in Composite and Petrochemical Industries
03.12.2019
Organic Peroxides are Compounds Containing
-OO- bond. The -O-O bond is called the peroxide group. They are chemical substances which are capable of forming free radicals through chemical degradation and are frequently used in polymerization reactions as initiators, crosslinking agents, catalysts, hardeners in the composite and petrochemical industries.
Composite Materials
It is formed by combining the materials of the same or different group in order to gather the best features together or to create a new feature. Composite materials that are developing rapidly have entered almost every part of our lives today. For this reason, Akpa Kimya continues its development with the slogan “There is a Little Bit of Akpa Every- Where You Touch” in consideration with its production line. Organic peroxide products used in the composite industry are used in many areas such as manhole covers, buttons, kitchen worktops, car spare parts, tub-boat construction, all over the world. The most common organic peroxides which act as hardeners are the ketone peroxides group; are generally works at ambient / room temperature. The ketone peroxides comes in many combinations, when combined with resin formulations due to their different properties, can exhibit the operating capacity of the properties desired by each user.In cold processes (at ambient temperature),cobalt salts and organic amines with organic peroxides are used as accelerators, while in hot processes organic peroxide is activated by heat.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxides (MEKP)
Methyl ethyl ketone raw material is made by hydrogen peroxide affecting the gel, the monomer form of MEKP which affects the gel to a small degree but greatly improves the dimer form of MEKP which has little effect on the gel but has a great effect on curing and resolvents (dimethyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate or TXIB, IRIS) that are used to make MEKP safe combinations of components. By changing the ratio of each of these components, the gel and curing times of a resin can be varied. Peroxide solvents are in two types, phthalate and non-phthalate. Efforts are underway to reduce the use of phthalates in the world (as they are carcinogenic), and therefore studies are ongoing to develope phthalate-free products. As Akpa Kimya, we manufacture different MEKP group products as Akperox A60/A50/A1 phthalate containing products to Akperox A60PF/A50PF/A6R/ A5R non-phthalate products to serve our clients.
Acetyl Acetone Peroxides (AAP)
Unlike methyl ethyl ketone peroxides, the active ingredients of acetyl acetone peroxide cannot be altered. Since there is only one active molecule, it is extremely important to accurately determine and use the right amount of AAP. It is a highly effective polymerization initiator for the curing of unsaturated polyester resins relative to MEKP products at room temperature and provides rapid curing without significantly affecting gel times in most resin systems. It is generally suitable for other applications, such as resin transfer molding (RTM), casting polymers, due to the fast demold time. Our Akperox AAP product line is manufactured for this group.
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone Peroxides
These are effective oxidizing agents. It is generally preferred for fast gel-curing in hot processes. Suitable for worktops, roofing, continuous lamination. Akperox MIKP/ MIKP-S is within this range.
MEKP/AAP Mixtures
While both organic peroxides have favorable properties when used alone, the use of the combination of the two products has recently become popular. It can be used in both cold and hot processes. Its advantage is to minimize the disadvantages of both peroxides and to control gel and curing times much better. Akperox ER33/E34/ER37/ER73 are specially manufactured for these processes.
Hydroperoxides
Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxides (TBHP) are used as initiators in composite curing, vinyl polymerization, crosslinking in polymer, emulsion polymerization of styrene, acrylate and methacrylate’s. They also act as oxidizing agents for hydrocarbons. Akperox TBHP70 product is produced specifically for these processes.
Cumyl Hydroperoxides (CHP) and MEKP/ CHP Mixtures
Particularly suitable for curing initiation of resin systems at both ambient and high temperatures. It minimizes possible cracklings in the resin as it has a longer gel time than MEKP. (Examples of cumyl hydroperoxide group are Akperox C90/C80/C50/C45 and MEKP/CHP mixture products are Akperox CMP50/CMP75).
Diacyl Peroxides
They have a wide range of applications. In addition to unsaturated polyester and curing applications, it is suitable for cross-linking elastomers, PVC production, polystyrene and polyacrylates. Di benzoyl peroxide (BPO), as one of these peroxides is used with unsaturated polyesters and acrylic monomers at room temperature. BPO powder (granular) forms are preferred as catalysts in road marking paints, EPS (expanded polystyrene) applications, foams used in thermal insulation, cosmetics (acne treatment).While BPO paste or liquid suspensions, it can be also used as hardeners in car body fillers or as bonding adhesives in marble applications. (Examples of BPO powder group includes Akperox BP75 Powder/ BP50 Powder, BPO Paste group products include Akperox BP50 Paste in white, red and blue color, and Akperox BP15/BP17/BP20 Paste products in black and gray color).Simge Arık - Ar-Ge Sorumlusu / R&D Responsible - Akpa
