Production of compounds based on polymers
Matco manufactures compounds for textile, carpet, mattress, vehicle and other industries. These customised products are based on various polymers:
- Synthetic Latex: Synthetic latex is a water-based dispersion of polymer particles created through a process known as emulsion polymerization. These polymers are typically made from various synthetic materials, such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylics, or vinyl acetate, which are suspended in water with the help of surfactants. Synthetic latex is commonly used in a wide range of applications, including paints, coatings, adhesives, and carpet backing. It offers excellent bonding properties, water resistance, and durability.
- Natural Latex: Natural latex is a milky white liquid extracted from the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis. It consists mainly of cis-1,4-polyisoprene, a naturally occurring polymer. Natural latex is known for its elasticity, flexibility, and resilience. It is commonly used to make latex products like gloves, condoms, mattresses, and foam rubber due to its natural properties.
- VAE (Vinyl Acetate Ethylene) Copolymer: VAE is a copolymer composed of vinyl acetate and ethylene monomers. It is widely used in the production of emulsion-based adhesives and paints. VAE copolymers provide excellent adhesion, flexibility, and water resistance. They are favored for their ability to adhere to a variety of surfaces, making them suitable for applications in construction, textiles, and packaging.
- PVAc (Polyvinyl Acetate): PVAc is a synthetic polymer composed of repeating vinyl acetate units. It is commonly used as a versatile adhesive in various forms, including white glue, woodworking glue, and school glue. PVAc adhesives are known for their strong bonding properties, ease of use, and relatively fast drying times. They are widely used in woodworking, crafts, and paper-related projects.
- PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral): PVB is a synthetic polymer derived from the condensation polymerization of vinyl butyral. It is known for its exceptional clarity, adhesion, and impact resistance. PVB is primarily used as an interlayer material in laminated safety glass, such as automobile windshields and architectural glass, where it enhances the glass’s shatter resistance by holding broken pieces together.
Compounds based on these polymers serve a variety of industries and applications, each with its unique set of properties and advantages. Some examples of applications of these products:
- Pre-coating: Pre-coating refers to the application of a thin layer or coating on a substrate before further processing or finishing. It is commonly used in industries such as printing, textiles, and paper manufacturing to improve the surface properties of materials, enhance printability, or provide protection.
- Adhesive Compound: An adhesive compound is a material that is formulated to bond two or more surfaces together. Adhesive compounds come in various forms, including liquids, pastes, tapes, and films. They are used in a wide range of industries, including construction, automotive, aerospace, and electronics, for joining materials.
- Pre-coating for Artificial Grass: Pre-coating for artificial grass involves applying a protective or stabilizing coating to the backing material of synthetic turf before installation. This pre-coating enhances the durability and performance of artificial grass and may include features like UV resistance, anti-microbial properties, and improved water drainage.
- Gel Foam (Ammonium Acetate and Sodium Silicofluoride): Gel foam typically refers to a foam-like substance created by mixing specific chemicals. In this case, the combination of ammonium acetate and sodium silicofluoride can generate a gel-like foam. The application of such foam can vary, including in firefighting as an extinguishing agent, in dental treatments, and in certain chemical processes.
- No-Gel Foam: No-gel foam refers to foam formulations that do not form a gel-like structure. These foams may be used in applications where the absence of a gel-like consistency is desired, such as in cosmetics, insulation, or packaging.
- Compounds for the Automotive Industry: Compounds used in the automotive industry refer to various materials and chemicals employed in the manufacturing of vehicles. This can include adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, and materials for interior and exterior components. These compounds play a crucial role in vehicle assembly, durability, safety, and aesthetics.
- Hardeners: Hardeners are substances or chemicals added to a material, typically a resin or adhesive, to promote curing or solidification. They initiate or accelerate chemical reactions, converting the material from a liquid or semi-liquid state into a solid state. Hardeners are commonly used in epoxy resins, polyurethane adhesives, and coatings to ensure proper curing and the development of desired physical properties such as strength and durability.
Production of other chemical substances and additives
Matco can produce many chemical substances and additives. These can be formulated according to specific requirements from the customer. Some examples:
- Thickeners: Thickeners are substances added to liquids to increase their viscosity or thickness. They are used in a wide range of products, including food items (e.g., sauces and soups), cosmetics (e.g., lotions and creams), and industrial applications (e.g., paints and adhesives).
- Dispersants: Dispersants are chemicals that help disperse solid particles in a liquid medium, preventing them from clumping together. They are often used in products like paints, inks, and detergents to ensure even distribution of particles.
- Soap: Soap is a surfactant that is used for cleaning and washing. It is made from fats or oils and alkali substances and is effective in removing dirt and grease from surfaces.
- Colorants: Colorants are substances added to products to give them color. They can be natural or synthetic and are used in a wide range of industries, including food, textiles, and cosmetics.
- Vulcanisation Pastes (Gel/No-Gel): Vulcanization pastes are used in the rubber industry. They contain additives that facilitate the vulcanization (cross-linking) of rubber to improve its strength, elasticity, and durability.
- Antistatic Products: Antistatic products are used to reduce or eliminate static electricity in materials and surfaces. They are commonly used in electronics manufacturing and industries where static electricity can damage sensitive equipment.
- Wetting Agents: Wetting agents, also known as surfactants, are substances that reduce the surface tension of a liquid, allowing it to spread more easily and penetrate materials. They are used in a variety of applications, including agriculture (for pesticides), textiles, and detergents.
- Gelling Agents: Gelling agents are substances that transform liquids into gels or semi-solid forms. They are often used in the food industry to create gelled desserts, jams, and jellies.
- Antioxidants: Antioxidants are chemicals that inhibit or slow down oxidation reactions, which can lead to the deterioration of products. They are used in food preservation, cosmetics, and the stabilization of materials like rubber and plastics.
