Dow Corning Offers Technical Seminar At Addcon World 2005

Use of organosilanes for filler and surface treatment discussed

Midland, MI – Dow Corning Corporation, a leading global supplier of silicone products and services, will give a technical paper about silane fillers and agents at Addcon World 2005 – The Eleventh International Plastics Additives and Modifiers Conference in Hamburg, Germany.

Technical Service Chemist Manfred Gloeggler of Dow Corning Germany will present Thursday, September 22, at 9 a.m. The paper, "Comparison of non-polar filler and surface treatment agents," examines the ability of various organosilanes to achieve non-polar surfaces on several common materials.

According to Gloeggler, surface treatment (particularly for fillers) with Si-H-based polymers is commonly used to improve mixing as well as compatibility, especially in non-polar polymers. Additional effects like improved compatibility of flame-retardants or easier dispersion of fillers and other solid additives can be observed. Similar results can be achieved by using silanes with linear organic groups.

The paper compares various organosilanes (including methyl and octyl) with the standard Si-H polymers, assessing their ability to achieve non-polar surfaces on materials like CaCO3, ATH or phosphates. The research used contact angle measurements as well as wetting properties to analyze the efficiency of the surface treatment.

A similar test series also evaluated silicone-based materials like functional fluids and silicone resin structures. "It can be expected that these materials are less efficient in modifying surfaces because of the increasing molecular weight," said Gloeggler. "However, the experience in other surface applications, like coatings, is promising."

Gloeggler added that some of these materials are already used as additives in polymers. "This could lead to further synergistic effects in the polymers," he said. "It is a promising area of development that Dow Corning will continue to explore as part of our commitment to providing our customers with innovative solutions."

Manfred Gloeggler has a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Fachhochschule in Reutlingen, Germany. He joined Dow Corning in 1995 where he has held roles in research and development, technical service and technical sales. He has held his current position as a technical service chemist in materials reinforcement since 2003.

SOURCE: Dow Corning