Denka develops new high-performance elastomer

Tokyo – Japanese materials supplier Denka Co. Ltd has developed its third high-performance elastomer, dubbed Evolmer, to add to its product portfolio.

Denka, which already supplies Denka chloroprene and Denka ER onto the market, said the new product combines elastomer technologies developed through the production of the two elastomers.

The Tokyo-based supplier said it would be producing the new elastomer at its Omi plant in Itoigawa City, Niigata prefecture.

A new line will be installed in October 2018, and Evolmer will be released on the market in January 2019.

The company plans to achieve sales of 1,500 tonnes per annum by 2022.

Evolmer, according to Denka, has “excellent mechanical strength, oil resistance, and abrasion resistance.”

The product is also claimed by Denka to have “well-balanced properties that set it apart from any previous elastomer.”

With “excellent” flex fatigue resistance in dynamic environments, Evolmer's compression set also remains low at low temperatures, Denka added.

Target applications includes automotive, construction machinery, electric equipment, sealants and fibre-treatment materials.

Additionally, the material is said to offer an alternative to hydrogenated nitrile rubber.

Samples have been sent for customers trial, with “positive” feedback so far, according to Denka.