ACCELACURE Fast Cure Novolac System: A New Class of Thermosets with Unmatched FST

Buffalo Grove, Ill. - November 30, 2004

ANGUS Chemical Company has developed the ACCELACURE™ Fast Cure Novolac System, a breakthrough technology that delivers the processing performance of polyester combined with the flame, smoke and smoke toxicity (FST) performance of a phenolic. The first ACCELACURE system application – ACCELACURE PT 1.0 for pultrusion – is now commercially available.

"Our patented ACCELACURE technology is truly revolutionary in the composites industry, and we’re not using the word ‘revolutionary’ lightly," said Thom Johnson, senior new business development manager for the ACCELACURE System at ANGUS. "ACCELACURE represents an entirely new class of fire resistant (FR) thermosets; a system that delivers both unmatched FST and exceptional processing benefits, and that can be used in a wide range of applications from building infrastructure and mass transit to marine applications – any application where FR is important."

ACCELACURE Fast Cure Novolac System PT 1.0 for pultrusion provides a number of benefits over competitive materials, including improved mechanical performance, fast and easy processing rates and unmatched FST performance. ACCELACURE PT 1.0 may be used instead of existing fire resistant resins, such as phenolic resoles, modified acrylic urethanes (MODAR) and fire resistant polyesters.

"The ACCELACURE System offers pultruders and OEMs a superior material science alternative to those historically used in the composites industry," said Johnson. "ACCELACURE PT 1.0 has improved tensile strength, elongation and toughness while in addition, reducing formaldehyde odors."

"The Navy and U. S. Coast Guard have been interested in composites for a very long time as the materials mean greater stealth, lower draft and higher cruising speeds for vessels, essential for engaging small fast-moving craft from terrorists or drug smugglers. Not only do ships need to be fast, but also survivable in case of a fire. Brominated vinyl ester is the only composite currently approved by the Navy. In the case of a fire, although it does not burn readily, brominated resins generate a tremendous amount of toxic smoke. ACCELACURE system changes all of that," said Johnson. "It doesn’t burn readily and it produces very little smoke with a much more attractive toxicity profile, a perfect choice for naval vessels needing to lose weight or gain stealth."

The unique two-part system is based on Novolac technology, combining a resin and a hardener to create a formulated product for pultrusion applications. The inherent benefits offered by the ACCELACURE System equate to significant potential cost savings for manufacturers. These benefits include:

• Fast processing – Matching the rate of polyester and up to twice as fast as phenolic resoles with no lock up.
• Low odor – Formaldehyde-free curing technology cuts odor emissions.
• Exceptional FST without the use of expensive fire retardants.
• Very high solids – Minimum of 85 percent.
• Long pot life, excellent shelf life without refrigeration.
• Non-corrosive to tooling.

For customer information about ACCELACURE PT 1.0 please call 1.800.447.4349 in the U.S., or 800.3.694.6367 in Europe.

ANGUS Chemical Company is a market-focused specialty chemicals company and a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. ANGUS develops and delivers nitroparaffin-based solutions to its customers in latex paints, life science buffers and biochemicals, pharmaceutical and agricultural intermediates, metalworking fluids, shortstops for free-radical polymerization, water treatment, solvents and thinners, wood adhesives, fuel additives and personal care and household products.

For Editorial Information:

Louise Falp
The Dow Chemical Company
(847) 808-3771