Plastics & Polyurethanes

Lehigh’s micronized rubber powders (MRP) are ideal additives for plastic applications that require the inherent benefits of rubber, such as flexibility and durability. For example, polypropylene and polyethylene are two of the most widely used resins in applications ranging from industrial piping to consumer storage solutions to automotive components. Whether the application uses prime resins or blends with recycled polymers, including MRP in the compound provides a compelling value proposition, in terms of both economics and performance.

MRP is used in a variety of plastics processes, including injection molding, compression molding, sheet extrusion and more

Lehigh’s Zenoflex™ product range offers compounded masterbatch solutions for easy incorporation into existing manufacturing processes. By providing the MRP and plastic compound in pellet form, Lehigh eliminates the need for customers to handle micron-scale powders during operations.

For all applications, Lehigh collaborates closely with customers to design the right compound composition, performance targets and processing conditions to meet performance and cost requirements.

Lehigh chemists have worked with leading universities and customers to understand the science of polymer-MRP interaction. This has helped us to design formulations that maximize the customer benefits of using MRP in plastics & polyurethanes. We frequently publish our results in leading technical journals and present MRP technical presentations at major conferences around the world. In 2013, we published a peer-reviewed technical paper, "Effects of Micronized Rubber Powder on Structure and Properties of Polypropylene Composites." The paper, published in Waste and Biomass Valorization, examined the science of MRP-polymer interaction.

Lehigh’s MRP is used in a wide range of polyurethane systems and applications, providing numerous benefits that can improve performance while reducing costs. Lehigh recently developed two new micronized rubber powders, MicroDyne™ MD-408TR (-400+180 microns) and MicroDyne™ MD-188TR (-180+105 microns), specifically for the polyurethane market. The MD408TR and MD188TR feature a tighter particle size distribution, which allows for higher loadings, greater viscosity control and consistency, and increased cost savings.

Typical applications are in the automotive industry, where MRP is used in armrests, seat headrests, seat bottoms, seat backs and foam seals under instrument panels. Soft foam applications can also be used in flooring to provide insulation and protection from moisture.

• Increased flexibility

• Increased durability

• Lower product cost

• Improved processing and product performance

• Increased sustainability of end product

• Sustainable marketing approach

• Attractive aesthetics and smooth surface finish

• Significant cost savings

• Equal or higher quality of foam system

• Improved foam cell structure

• Lower noise vibration and harshness (NVH) performance

• Improved thermal conductivity

• A sustainable marketing approach