ChemSpec is now offering Dispersix silicone processing additives following a new distribution deal with Spherix Mineral Products.

The recently-announced partnership with Spherix Mineral Products allows ChemSpec to offer medical device manufacturers and suppliers with additives that can improve silicone products.

Dispersix is used in high consistency rubber (HCR) silicone cure chemistries. Aluminosilicates are recovered from various mining and post-industrial byproduct streams and converted to micro-spherical ceramics by a patented thermo-oxidative process. Once returned to their pristine mineral state they are size classified and modified with inorganic and organic reactants for faster processing and improved material properties. The product line can be tailored to specific applications, based on particle size and surface treatment. The processing materials offer engineering value by adding property gains without significant changes in overall physical properties. Dispersix offers reduced mixing and energy consumption, as well as higher mixing, extrusion, and molding rates compared with untreated silicone. In addition, the line promises improved product uniformity.

The sustainability and reduced waste could be valued by medical device manufacturers. The line is derived from recycled, post-industrial byproducts. They are not produced in environmentally hazardous chemical processes like many other polymer compounding additives in the market.

Dave Moreland, ChemSpec’s president, pointed to Spherix Mineral Products’ innovative processing and technical support as a valued addition to customers in the polymer compounding industry.

For example, Spherix recently completed in-depth testing on this product line in HCR silicone. The results were positive in that the testing indicated that the HCR silicone compounds containing Dispersix microspheres consistently processed cleaner, quicker and with better dispersion. The microspheres acted in a ball bearing-like effect to break down the raw materials and improve dispersion. This had a dramatic improvement in the mixing cycle time. The cycle time improvement was especially true regarding formulations that have a higher level of reinforced filler being added. Further, when molding slabs for testing the compounds, the compounds that included the Dispersix microspheres showed a better release from the mold.