Fluid Modification

Kraton® polymers can be blended into compatible liquids to increase viscosity and, in many cases, impart thixotropy. Applications include preventing slump in clear sealants when applied on a vertical substrate.

Features and Benefits

Since Kraton polymers are hydrocarbon in composition, they are compatible with most hydrocarbon liquids such as solvents, oils and molten resins and waxes. Since they are high molecular weight polymers, they are efficient thickeners and rheology modifiers. Triblock polymers convert liquids into rubbery solids while diblock polymers thicken and sometimes impart thixotropy. Unlike inorganic thickeners, Kraton polymers modify rheology while maintaining clarity. Some benefits of Kraton polymers are:

• Compatible with common hydrocarbon liquids
• Modify rheology while maintaining clarity
• Good weather resistance (Kraton G Polymer)
• Most have FDA coverage

Products

Clear Sealants: A Kraton G diblock polymer is used in unfilled, solvent-based sealants to impart thixotropy to prevent slump when the sealant is applied on a vertical substrate. Because the polymer is compatible with the sealant, it does not cause the haze that a silica thixotroping agent would cause.

Hot Melt Sealants: Addition of a low level of a high molecular weight Kraton G triblock polymer to a hot melt butyl sealant reduces slump at temperatures near 100ºC while causing only a small increase in viscosity at melt processing temperatures.