Momentive Performance Materials to Launch New Niax Products

Provider of silicones and advanced materials Momentive Performance Materials plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Niax brand with the introduction of new Niax products in April at a trade event in Europe.

The Niax portfolio includes a broad range of silicone additives, catalysts and process modifiers that can be used in polyurethane foam formulations to optimize performance and processing.

Additionally at the event, Momentive will also feature a technical paper on a new generation of surfactants for hydrocarbon blown appliance foam formulations. Company officials said that the technical paper is a part of their global initiative to eliminate foam voids and improve foam quality across rigid foam segments.

“At Momentive, we are constantly researching, developing and testing new technologies that can improve the performance of slab foam found in furniture and bedding, rigid foam used in household appliances and in the construction industry, molded foam for automotive interior use, and specialty foam for a variety of microcellular applications, such as carpet underlay,” said Alberto Melle, director of global marketing for Flexible Foam Additives at Momentive Performance Materials. 

At the trade show, the Niax products that will be featured for the global polyurethanes industry include: Niax Silicone L-537XF; Niax Silicone L-2106; Niax Color Stabilizer CS-26LF; Niax Silicone L-895; Niax Silicone L-595; Niax Silicone L-595LV; Niax Silicone L-3556; Niax Silicone L-6638; Niax Silicone L-6891; and more.

Niax Silicone L-537XF is the latest in a series of all-purpose silicone stabilizers for use in polyester foam formulations. This product does not contain nonylphenol ethoxylates, which have been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as presenting potential environmental concerns.

Company officials said that this product can provide optimum stabilization and fine cell structure as well as reduce the need for organic surfactants and emulsifiers.

A new silicone stabilizer, Niax Silicone L-2106 can be used in high resilience (HR) flexible slabstock foam. It features low emission properties to meet stringent industry standards and provides wide processing latitude across a broad range of HR systems.

Company officials said that Niax Color Stabilizer CS-26LF is manufactured without the use of phenol, while Niax Silicone L-895 is a high potency silicone with low emission properties for the production of flexible slabstock foam.

Niax Silicone L-595 is a silicone surfactant that offers manufacturers of flexible slabstock polyurethane foam the potential to reduce their manufacturing costs. Also, it improves mechanical properties such as foam density and air flow distribution.

A lower viscosity version of Niax L-595, Niax Silicone L-595LV has been developed to allow easier metering in colder temperature, that offers the same potential benefits as its sister product.

Company officials said that Niax Silicone L-3556 is a new surfactant that can be considered for use in flexible TDI (News - Alert) molded foam formulations developed for use in appliances such as refrigerators.

And, Niax Silicone L-6638 is a new high performing silicone surfactant developed to deliver durable construction sandwich panels with elimination of foam surface defects.

Company officials said that Niax Silicone L-6891 is a new silicone surfactant for foam formulations for appliances that can deliver strong compatibility with hydrocarbon blowing agents, reduce voids and offer excellent thermal insulation.

In addition, the company will also introduce other innovative solutions such a new class of surfactants for open cells technologies and adhesion promotion additives, developed for new rigid foam applications.

“Since introducing the first non-hydrolyzable silicone surfactant for polyurethane foam in 1962, Momentive has steadily expanded its Niax offering for slab, rigid, molded and specialty foams,” said Tony Lanchak, director of global business for Urethane Additives at Momentive Performance Materials, and vice-chair of the upcoming American Chemistry Council's Polyurethanes 2012 Technical Conference in September.

Last month, Momentive Performance Materials announced the expansion of its manufacturing facility and application development center in Chennai, India.