MITSUI Chemicals and Mitsui Fine Chemicals, a wholly-owned subsidiary is set to do a series of tests on new silicone surface modifier, which transforms surfaces to be silicone-rich when added in small amounts to polyolefin.
The product, Exfola, uses Mitsui Chemicals’ proprietary catalyst and synthesis technology.
Its compatibility with film and sheet moulding, injection, blowing, and inflation, assures wide applications. It is expected to be used in automotive, building, medical and industrial materials, electric and electronic materials, and food packaging.
With good polyolefin (polyethylene, polypropylene) compatibility, Exfola can be added in small amounts during moulding to modify surfaces to assume the characteristics of silicone, including release properties, water repellency, oil repellency, and abrasion resistance, according to Mitsui.
Moreover, Exfola is said to possess features not found in conventionpal silicone-based modifiers, and resolving issues such as contamination and transfer caused by bleed out, changes over time, incompatibility with polyolefin materials, and poor formability.
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