Implementing upgrades to its line of hydrocarbon rubber that its says offer cost savings, enhanced productivity, and better quality for compounders, Dow Elastomer’s Nordel line of EPDM is now made under tighter specifications for a more consistent product. Specifially, Dow says all Nordel products undergo gel-contamination testing using new state-of-the-art measuring equipment that has been installed at the Nordel IP and MG plants for real-time testing and reporting of every batch.

Dow says it has improved product uniformity and surface quality by reducing the amount of large and small particles. This process has also reduced the carbon black content, meaning more polymer in each bag. Dow includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA) with every shipment, including data on viscosity, carbon black content, ethylene and ENB content, and gel testing.

Dow Elastomers also announced the launch of a calculator customers can use to quantify potential cost benefits of using Nordel MG products compared to other EPDM elastomers in extrusion profiles. The Performance Tool looks at total system costs, especially compared to standard bale materials because of advantages in production. Processors can visit www.dow.com/elastomers/products/nordel_performance_tool.htm to calculate their savings. Dow, which acquired Nordel in 2005, says it has applied its material science and manufacturing expertise, as well as proprietary metallocene technology, to create the first gas-phase EPDM product. Dow says the material has a Mooney viscosity greater than 100 without oil extension and faster mixing times, with bale breakdown eliminated and the potential for bulk handling and continuous compounding added. Dow Elastomers; www.dowelastomers.com