Epoxy and Urethane News and
Technical Articles
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Article: |
Date: |
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Base resin supply for Epoxy and Urethane products on allocation.... |
January 6, 2005 |
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Epoxy and Urethane raw material allocation lifted... |
February 28, 2005 |
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Variable hardness Urethane is gaining acceptance by processors... |
February 28, 2005 |
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Is Bisphenol- A dangerous to your health? |
April 20, 2005 |
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New, single component, UV cure Epoxy compound exhibits excellent adhesion to
polyolefins.... |
May 4, 2005 |
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Recommended steps for evaluating new Epoxy or Urethane compounds. |
July 4, 2005 |
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Can you trust your oven temperature gauge to properly cure Epoxy or Urethane
products? |
July 4, 2005 |
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New Polyurethane Compound to repair damage caused by Woodpeckers. |
August 30, 2005 |
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Are we in for a round of price increases? |
October 7, 2005 |
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Encapsulating Powder Core Devices requires special care |
March 10, 2006 |
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Are all Epoxy and Urethane products created equal? |
March 11, 2006 |
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Was there price fixing among Urethane raw material suppliers? |
April 5, 2006 |
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How about those metal
prices....? |
July 14, 2006 |
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For other topics and articles please visit our Epoxy/Urethane Blog |
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Base resin supply for Epoxy and Urethane
products on allocation....
January
6, 2005
Late last
year, in September 2004, suppliers began to indicate expected upcoming shortages
of epoxy and urethane base resins. These resins are utilized by various
manufacturers, including epoxy and urethane formulators, employing epoxy and
urethane technology in manufacturing. The reasons given for the anticipated
shortages were increased demand from CD and urethane foam manufacturers as well
as insufficient manufacturing capacity resulting from previously depressed
prices.
Previously, the selling prices were kept in check mainly by off-shore suppliers
of epoxy and urethane base resins competing successfully with North American and
European manufacturers of these products. These off-shore suppliers, mainly from
the Far East, have since found customers, closer in proximity, due to increasing
demand for base resins in China.
The price
of base epoxy resins began to climb toward the end of 2004, some products
increasing by 50%. This was followed by raw material price increases for
polyurethane products.
Compounding the problem of price increases, several suppliers of epoxy and
urethane base resins have declared "Force Majeure" essentially placing customers
for these products on allocation. It appears that the industry is
going through another transition, with short supplies expected for the
foreseeable future, until additional manufacturing capacity becomes available.
Many
users of epoxy and urethane base resins are accumulating stock, in anticipation
of shortages, further increasing the short term demand for these materials. This
increased demand should reduce somewhat during the next six months while the
increased inventories are used up.
We expect
increasing selling prices along with a few shipment delays until the demand
levels off.
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Epoxy and Urethane raw material allocation
lifted...
February
28, 2005
As of
last week, we began to receive word from several suppliers that the restrictions
on the supply of Epoxy and Urethane raw materials are easing. We suspect that the
recent large price increases, some as high as 50%, have a lot to do with
the change the availability of these products. Formulators and consumers of Epoxy
and certain Polyurethane compounds are being squeezed by the drastic price
increases which are expected to slow somewhat but continue in the near term.
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Variable hardness Urethane is gaining acceptance by processors...
February
28, 2003
Sales
have been steadily increasing since the announcement of this new product line.
This 3 component Polyurethane system allows for higher bottom line profits
through significantly lower inventory requirements, substantially lower handling
(labor) costs as well as reduced hydro consumption.
Several
manufacturers have expressed interest in developing automated dispense equipment
to process this Polyurethane system. Equipment trials have been scheduled for
late March and early April of this year. Although the 3 component polyurethane
system is more expensive than traditional "hot cast" materials, the cost
difference is insignificant when compared to the increase in the bottom line
profits that can be achieved through the use this versatile product.
The most
successful applications to date have been in roller manufacturing and custom
cast urethane parts requiring various cured hardness.
For
further information please contact Crosslink Technology Inc. :
Phone:
1.800.563.3769 or 905.673.0510
Fax:
905.673.0519
E-mail:
info@crosslinktech.com
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Is Bisphenol-A
dangerous to your health?
April 20, 2005
Once
again we are seeing various news publications raising the alarm about the
possible dangers posed by products containing Bisphenol-A (BPA) compounds.
The
most recent alarm is based on a paper published by Prof. Frederick vom Saal of
the University of Missouri-Columbia, who asserts that the recent studies show
BPA is harmful in very low doses. "The science is clear and the findings are not
just scary, they are horrific," vom Saal says. "When you feed a baby out of a
clear, hard plastic bottle, it's like giving the baby a birth control pill."
http://munews.missouri.edu
During the past decade, there have been numerous studies, conducted by various
organizations, some under government mandate, resulting in BPA being declared
safe under certain threshold levels.
One
must consider that, with further studies and the advancement of detection
technology, some products currently on the "safe list" may have to be
re-classified and placed on the list of hazardous materials. For the moment it
appears that, if there is danger associated with BPA, it is through ingestion.
Our
modern society demands products that contain a variety of chemicals and
combination thereof. Although it is a daunting task, it is up to the various
government agencies to determine the safety of widely consumed products that
effect the population at large.
Bisphenol-A is a precursor for raw materials used by epoxy and polyurethane
formulators developing products for various applications. Many of these
applications are not food related and include protecting electrical and
electronic components, tooling products, adhesives and automotive components.
Commonsense would dictate that BPA contained in these products would not be
dangerous to health especially if all the recommended handling precautions are
followed.
As
always, any extraordinary and startling revelation must be confirmed for
accuracy. In the mean time, we must err on the side of safety and take all
necessary precautions to protect the consumers at large. Consumer awareness is
paramount so we can make the appropriate choices about what we are willing to
consume.
Head the old saying "everything is fine in moderation", treat all chemicals with
respect, as if they were dangerous, because they may be declared dangerous
tomorrow.
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New, single component, UV cure Epoxy compound exhibits excellent adhesion to
polyolefins....
May
4, 2005
Crosslink Technology Inc. has developed a new single component, UV cure epoxy
compound with excellent adhesive properties to properly prepared polyolefin
substrates. The product may be applied by dipping or spraying the surfaces. This
epoxy system was formulated in conjunction with a company that performs reactive
gas surface modification on plastic substrates and has passed rigorous testing.
For
further information please contact Crosslink Technology Inc. via e-mail at
info@crosslinktech.com or by Phone: 1-800-563-3769
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July 4,
2005
Preparation is the key to successfully evaluate new Epoxy or Urethane compounds.
Confirming
the ultimate suitability of an Epoxy or Urethane compound in the manufacturing
environment is a relatively costly project. Especially when time is of the
essence, it is worth while to take some extra steps and get it right the first
time. Since laboratory or prototype trials often do not reflect the conditions
encountered in actual manufacturing, it is wise to completely de-bug the whole
process before full implementation. Read our recommendations on
How to successfully evaluate Epoxy or Urethane products.
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July 4,
2005
Can you trust your oven temperature gauge to properly cure Epoxy or Urethane
products?
Epoxy and
Polyurethane products that require heat to cure must reach a certain threshold
temperature to initiate the reaction. Furthermore, the specified temperature
must be held for the time specified by the supplier in order to achieve complete
cure and thus the expected cured properties.
Although
temperature controllers, employing digital technology, are extremely accurate in
so far as reading the temperature, the positioning of the thermocouple inside
the oven can cause them to provide inaccurate readings. Most commercial ovens
used to cure epoxy and urethane compounds exhibit at least some degree of
"zoning". This means that the oven is not uniform in temperature although the
temperature reading is correct in the vicinity of the thermocouple where the
reading is taken. In some cases, we noted differences exceeding 20 degrees above
and below the controller setting depending on the location in the oven.
Excessive "zoning" can can cause the epoxy or urethane to cure too fast in one
area of the oven while not reaching the required temperature to fully cure in
another. Further complications can occur if the components must be pre-heated
prior to casting with epoxy or urethane. Oven zoning can be the cause of
cracking problems or insufficient cured properties.
The only
way to determine the effect of "zoning" is to place the actual components in the
oven and periodically checking the actual component temperature with a surface
probe or thermocouples embedded in the components. Do not assume that the
oven temperature is what the gauge indicates. It is best to check the actual
component temperatures, note any errors or differences and compensate for them
in production.
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New Polyurethane Compound to repair wood utility poles damaged by Woodpeckers
Crosslink Technology Inc. first introduced its new, easy to use polyurethane
pole repair system two years ago. The product, with its unique delivery system,
has been gaining popularity since then. Development was focused on Lineman's
safety and the ease with which it can be applied under difficult circumstances,
while providing a cost effective solution for utility companies. This
polyurethane product has the following unique features;
> Safe for climbing.
> Maximum
internal flow & minimal leakage.
> No
pre-mixing required.
> Easy to
use Manual or Automated Dispense Gun.
> Install
and dispense the repair cartridge in less than 2 minutes.
> Bonds to
cavity walls sealing out moisture, fungi, insects, woodpeckers etc.
> Extends
the life of damaged utility poles.
Although the system was specifically developed to
repair the large cavities created by nesting woodpeckers, it is also suitable
for the repair of other types of damage sustained by wooden utility poles.
The package is marketed under the registered trade
name PeckerPatch®
and technical details are available at
www.crosslinktech.com The product will be demonstrated at the upcoming ICUEE
show in Louisville, Kentucky to be held September 27 - 29, 2005.
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Are we in for a round of
price increases?
Whether
we like it or not, the escalating oil prices will have a major impact on all
consumable items. Epoxy and Polyurethane compounds are no exception.
The
market for epoxy and polyurethane raw materials has been relatively stable
during the past five years with mostly downward pressure on prices caused by
increased competition as off-shore suppliers entered the North American market
in increasing numbers. About two years ago, we began to see the effects of
increased demand from China. Certain raw materials were in short supply and
prices began to escalate. Most suppliers of finished products using these raw
materials held off increasing their prices hoping that the market would soon
stabilize.
Then came
the wild upward swings in the price of crude oil. The North American oil
companies saw this as a golden opportunity to make some extra profits and
gasoline prices began to rapidly escalate. Since epoxy and polyurethane products
are oil based, raw material costs began to increase again. Then came Rita and
Katrina, knocking out a reasonable portion of the North American refining
capacity. Whether justified or not, the prices of epoxy and urethane raw
materials have continued to increase steadily since then. We are currently
receiving one or two price increases almost every week.
Just
about everything we consume is, at one time or another, transported on board
ships, trains, airplanes or trucks. Since we can not live without food or
gasoline, the price of oil has a major impact on our standard of living. The
increase in the cost of living causes workers to ask for higher wages which
cause an increase in the cost of goods we consume etc. and thus, the
inflationary cycle begins..
Governments, in their wisdom, attempt to control inflation by raising interest
rates hoping to slow demand for goods and services. Can we reduce our need for
food and fuel enough to comply?
Of course
the situation is far more complex than it appears on the surface and it seems
that we are in for the next round of increasing prices which will probably last
a year or more.
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Encapsulating
Powder Core Devices requires special care
Epoxy and
Polyurethane compounds are especially suited to the protection of powder
core devices but special care must be exercised in material selection.
The ideal compound would have the
following properties:
-
Hard enough to prevent
mechanical damage and keep out contaminants
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Soft enough not to squeeze the
core during the curing process
-
Low thermal expansion
characteristics, not to exert pressure on the core when it is hot
-
High heat dissipation
capabilities to dissipate the heat being generated by the device in operation
-
Crack resistance during thermal
cycling
-
Low exotherm not to damage the
device or other insulation involved
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Hard enough to prevent
excessive losses
-
Good dissipation factor
Although the above properties
would be ideal, almost all of them oppose one another and require appropriate
trade-offs to obtain the best combination of cured properties. Depending on the
shape and configuration of the device, a customized formulation may be in order.
Epoxy and polyurethane product
can be easily modified to obtain the best combination of cured and handling
properties to protect such devices. Product selection will depend on the
following criteria:
1.
The shape and size of the device
2.
The frequency involved
3.
The amount of epoxy or urethane to be
poured
4.
The type of container (size and
material)
5.
The gauge of the wire used (in the
case of coils, chokes etc.)
6.
The thermal cycle temperatures that
must be met
7.
The environmental contaminants that
will be encountered
8.
The desired handling parameters
9.
The maximum heat capabilities of the
device
10.
Other important details.
Having provided most of the above
information, a good supplier will be in a position to select a suitable material
to evaluate. Because very few applications are identical, the chosen product
will probably require some fine tuning to be successful. Without the above
information, expect lots of rejects and a lengthy evaluation process.
For further information or assistance please contact
us at
Crosslink Technology Inc.
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Are all Epoxy and
Urethane products created equal?
Many
engineers, manufacturers and processors consider
Epoxy and
Urethane
products as
similar commodities, widely available, all being suitable for the device or
manufacturing process being contemplated, provided the products fall into the
desired processing criteria.
We,
at Crosslink Technology Inc., frequently get requests such as "give me something
black that cures at room temperature" or "do you have something that sticks to
plastic?" without revealing any other information about what is to be done. The
truth of the matter is that there are a lot of different epoxy or urethane
products available in black and many of those will stick to plastic but not
equally well and many will have widely different cured properties.
The
fact of the matter is that 99% of the epoxy and urethane formulations were
invented because someone needed a specific material for a specific job. This
being the case, the formulations probably work really well in the process they
were designed for and probably not as well in other applications. That is not to
say that each formula is only suited to one application but we can safely say
that each formula, without any modifications, is best suited
to the application it was originally developed for.
The
logical consequence of the above is that using an existing product, designed to
fit a different application, will not work as well unless it is "fine tuned" to
meet the subtleties of the application at hand. Taking this reasoning a step
further, the best product for a given application is one that was developed or
fine tuned for the process at hand. Everything else will require unnecessary
trade-offs making the new process less efficient and more expensive than it
should be.
Unfortunately, unlike
Crosslink Technology Inc., many suppliers of Epoxy and Polyurethane products
are not willing to fine tune "standard" formulations to provide the best
possible scenario for the customer and promote "standard" products that will do
the job but require unnecessary trade-offs in the process.
As a
rule, "fine tuning" a material does not involve a major effort on the part of
the supplier and should be done routinely to provide the best possible product
for the application. Although developing a new product is significantly more
involved, this may be the best way to go for unique requirements.
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Was there
price fixing among Urethane raw material suppliers?
Recent rumor has it that several, if not all, of the major manufacturers of
polyurethane raw materials have been subpoenaed by the US Department of Justice
for possible price-fixing. There are also rumours of class action lawsuits
against some suppliers.
We
have been receiving regular price increases on TDI and MDI based raw materials
since January 2005 with some products placed on allocations. Our company,
Crosslink Technology Inc., is not a major user of these raw materials in
comparison to companies involved in the urethane foam business, nevertheless the
increases had a major impact on our pricing structure. For awhile we had to
scramble to keep our customers for
specialty polyurethane compounds supplied.
Supplies have eased during the recent months and we certainly hope that the
current suspicions turn out to be false although the saying is "where there is
smoke there is usually a fire".
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How
about those metal prices....?
As one might have
noted, the price of metal products have been going through the roof, reaching
all time high prices during the last two month to three months. This is
especially true for all the important stuff like gold, silver, copper and
aluminium used in just about everything important to us. It seems that no one
really knows the cause. Various prominent publications fix the blame in
different places. Some say it is due to world demand, others blame strikes in
various parts of the world and some fix the blame on heavy investments by Mutual
Funds.
Whatever the reasons
are the impact on manufacturers have been drastic.
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