Magnesium-based additives supplier Kisuma Chemicals says its new test data shows that its hydrotalcite-like DHT-4 additive can significantly enhance the heat, fluid and ageing resistance of chloroprene (CR) and epichlorohydrin (ECO) rubbers.
In addition to acting as an efficient acid scavenger and improving both the mechanical and the chemical resistance of rubber compounds, this offers manufacturers an alternative to partially replace fluorine rubbers (FKM) in light of upcoming regulations expected to ban the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
DHT-4 is especially targeted at European and North American rubber compounders, OEMs, tier suppliers, gasket, sealing and hose manufacturers in market sectors such as automotive, industry, fluid handling, who are impacted by REACH and other regulatory initiatives addressing particularly the production and use of PFAS.
As a tested and proven PFAS-free additive, it enables formulators and sustainability-driven material specifiers to reduce or eliminate the use of fluorinated elastomers like FKM, thus reducing the reliance on materials flagged as hazardous to human health and the environment.
With DHT-4, Kisuma is positioning itself as a forerunner in supporting PFAS-free rubber formulations that also contribute to the United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals 12 (Responsible Consumption) and 13 (Climate Action) by improving production safety, regulatory compliance and long-term material sustainability.
Claudia Aguilar Carvalho, Technical Sales Manager Europe for Kisuma, says, “The dual role of DHT-4 as a protective and enhancing additive enables different rubber matrices to bridge the performance gap to FKM, providing an efficient future-ready solution for low-PFAS elastomer systems at low dosage levels.”