Dow Corning launches new range of PE silanes and masterbatches

Midlands, Michigan - Dow Corning, a joint venture between Dow Chemical Co. and Corning Inc., has launched a new range of pre-blended silanes and masterbatches for crosslinking polyethylene (PE).

The chemical manufacturer said its new products simplify compounding when making cross-linked PE pipe (PEX) in a one- or two-step process or making cross-linked PE wire and cable insulation (XLPE) in a one-step process.

Crosslinked polyethylene is used for water pipes and wire and cable applications because of its high performance in heat, chemical and pressure resistance, as well as weather-resistance and insulation properties, the company said.

The new silane blends, Z-6358, Z-6358 B, Z-6398 S and Z-6398 B, consist of vinyl silane and include peroxide so the user does not have to handle each separately, Dow Corning said.

The BY27-614 and BY27-614 B masterbatches are based on a high density polyethylene (HDPE) antioxidant while the BY27-614 LB masterbatch was based on linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).

The blends all have a shelf life of at least six months, Dow Corning said.