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Chemicals & Polymers Blog

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New Superfund Tax Hits Chemicals in July 2022

A Superfund excise tax on chemicals has been signed into law and went into effect on July 1, 2022. The tax law is included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was signed into law on November 15, 2021. This law levies taxes on the manufacture, production, or importation of 42 specific chemicals and another 121 chemical substances.

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5 Key Facts on Polycaprolactone Polyols

When faced with improving the performance of polyurethane articles with respect to toughness, abrasion and cut-chip resistance; a broad thermal profile (low and high-temperature performance) and durability; chemical, oil, and solvent resistance; hydrolysis resistance; and processing, formulators turn to Gantrade’s variety of polycaprolactone polyol grades to maximize a broad cross-section of these parameters.

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5 Key Facts on PTMEG

Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol (PTMEG) is the premier polyether polyol used worldwide in the manufacture of high-performance polyurethane elastomers. Known for its many performance attributes and advantages, PTMEG is used in a variety of applications, including polyurethane elastomers, prepolymers, coatings, adhesives, cast polyurethane resins, TPUs, protective films, spandex fibers, and much more. 

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5 Key Facts on MPO

Gantrade offers 2-Methyl 1, 3- Propanediol (MPO), also known as methyl propanediol, to enhance unsaturated polyester resins, including both composites and gelcoats, as well as saturated polyester for coatings polyurethane, polycarbonate, and much more.

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Benchmarking Polycaprolactone Polyols Against PTMEG Polyols in Cast Elastomers and TPUs

Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol (PTMEG) is the premier polyether polyol used worldwide in the manufacture of high-performance polyurethane elastomers. Known for its unique performance attributes and processing advantages, PTMEG is used in a variety of applications across multiple industries.

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Applications of N-Butyl Acrylate

N-butyl acrylate (BA) is the largest-volume acrylate ester used in the production of all-acrylic, vinyl acrylic and styrene acrylic copolymers.  BA offers price-value and accounts for about 60 percent of the global acrylic ester monomer demand, with a consumption volume of over 2,000 kilo tons.  

For over 45 years, Gantrade has built lasting relationships worldwide, based on our ability to deliver quality products like BA consistently and cost-effectively. Let's take a look at why BA holds a special place in the market for acrylate esters.

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Applications of 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate (2-EHA)

2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate (2-EHA ) is a highly versatile building block that readily copolymerizes with a wide variety of other acrylic and vinyl monomers to tailor specific high molecular weight copolymer properties for a diverse range of non-rigid applications.

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Adipic Acid Dihydrazide – A Unique Crosslinking Agent and Curative

Adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) is an effective crosslinking agent, curative and hardener.  It is the most common dihydrazide crosslinking agent within a series of dihydrazides such as sebacic dihydrazide (SDH) and isophthalic dihydrazide (IDH).  ADH’s has a melting point of 180 °C and a molecular weight of 174; both are lower than the alternative dihydrazides SDH and IDH.

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The Benefits of Narrow Molecular Weight Distribution (MWD) Polyols in Polyurethanes

The Daicel N-series of polyols, offered worldwide by Gantrade, is a family of Innovative, very narrow molecular weight distribution polycaprolactone polyols. Key features and benefits of this unique low MWD series of polycaprolactone polyols for polyurethanes include the following:

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Making the CASE for Polyurethane Elastomers: Polyether Polyols vs. Polyester Polyols

Formulators of coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE), as well as makers of foams and elastic fiber applications, utilize a diverse family of polyols to meet specifications for product performance. These polyols include polytetramethylene ether glycols (PTMEG), polypropylene glycols (PPG), adipate- and phthalate-based polyesters, polycaprolactone polyols, and polycarbonate polyols.

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