Silanes improve compounding for crosslinked polyethylene

7 September 2006

Dow Corning has introduced a family of pre-blended silanes for crosslinking polyethylene that simplifies compounding when making crosslinked PE pipe (PEX) in a one- or two-step process or making crosslinked PE wire and cable insulation (XLPE) in a one-step process.

Dow Corning® Z-6358 Silane, Dow Corning® Z-6358 B Silane, Dow Corning® Z-6398 S Silane and Dow Corning® Z-6398 B Silane are vinylsilane blend products useful for producing crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE). Dow Corning® BY27-614, Dow Corning® BY27-614 B and Dow Corning® BY27-614 LB are polyethylene based additive masterbatches used with the new silane blends for the XLPE process.

Crosslinked polyethylene is used for water pipes and wire and cable applications because of its high performance in heat, chemical and pressure resistance, weatherability and insulation properties.

The pre-blended silanes include peroxide so the user does not have to handle each separately. The blends all have a shelf life of at least six months.