Wacker, a global company with state-of-the-art specialty chemical products, is all set to showcase its new generation of silane-terminated polyethers - Geniosil STP-E 140 and Geniosil STP-E 340 - at the European Coatings Show 2025 to be held in Nuremberg, Germany from March 25 to 27. 

 

These novel polymers can be formulated into tin-free sealants and adhesives that are highly elastic and achieve a low modulus of elasticity – properties that are most desirable in the construction sector and a first in the adhesives and sealants world, said a statement from Wacker. 

 

The silane-crosslinking binders Geniosil STP-E 140 and Geniosil STP-E 340 are based on Wacker’s state-of-the-art Alpha technology. 

 

These polymers consist of both alpha and gamma-silyl groups. The alpha-silyl groups lead to greater reactivity, while the slower-reacting gamma ends have a positive impact on elastic recovery. 

 

This innovative technology thus combines the advantages of both alpha and gamma-silane-crosslinking polyethers.

 

Headquartered in Munich, Germany, Wacker is a leading player and one of the world’s most research-intensive chemical and biotechnology companies. 

 

It develops specialty products such as silicones and polymeric binders and additives for a number of different industrial sectors, such as pharma, food and nutraceuticals.

 

According to Wacker, tin-free assembly adhesives are yet another area of application that can benefit from these products. 

 

With these polymers, property profiles are now possible that comparable binders fail to provide, stated the German group. 

 

Just like a conventional alpha-silane-terminated polymer, the combination of the two silane-terminated polyethers does not require a tin catalyst for curing. 

 

During crosslinking, the highly reactive alpha end literally pulls in the gamma end into the swifter curing process, which generally displays slower reactivity. 

 

After crosslinking, Geniosil STP-E 140 and Geniosil STP-E 340 are highly elastic. Application tests show that the silane-terminated polyethers adhere to a wide range of varying substrates, it stated.

 

According to Wacker, both binders can be processed into creep-resistant, fast-curing adhesives. They also facilitate the production of low-modulus sealants. These are flexible and, even without the application of much force, retain elasticity. 

 

Moreover, they also exhibit good elastic recovery, i.e. they return to their original length after exposure to prolonged elongation – a combination of properties that is unusual for conventional alpha-silanes, it added.-TradeArabia News Service