US firm Finite Fiber, a provider of natural and synthetic cut fibres, pulps and flocks for the plastics and rubber industries, has recently introduced a patent-pending product that allows their customers to specialise and personalise unique rubber compound properties with a new fibre reinforcement.
Varamix is reportedly able to achieve calculable impact in terms of performance and production values. Varamix is a dry fibre, aramid-based blend with partitioning agents. Aramid is a preferred fibre due to its superior strength, abrasion and thermal properties.
The downside of aramid is that incorporating it uniformly into the rubber matrix has been difficult. The traditional solution has been to multiple-pass-mix for optimisation of fibre dispersion. Such excessive mixing can degrade the polymer. Through the use of these proprietary partitioning agents and their exclusive blending technology, Varamix reduces the tendency of the aramid to clump, allowing the fibres to disperse evenly. Uniform dispersion allows for the reduction of mix cycles and, in many cases, can eliminate the master batching process. Varamix cost savings begin in the feasibility segment of a project where trial-and-error is replaced with predictability. These savings are multiplied in the production phase by directly introducing Varamix into the rubber. The basic rubber properties are maintained, the performance of the end product is improved and formula and production costs are dramatically reduced.
Todd Johnson, Vice President of Sat Finite Fiber, quips, “While it is not promoted as the solution to every application, Varamix solves many issues and adds a high degree of flexibility.”
The Ohio-based firm says they can address specific end product property requirements by balancing various cut sizes, surface characteristics and treatments within Varamix. For years, fibre loading in rubber compounds has been considered more “art” than “science”. Finite Fiber, with Varamix and their Fibre Blend Technology, can apply predictable scientific interaction of elements to create superior rubber and plastic products.