Industrial Speciality Polymers

Dow Industrial Specialty Polymers in Thermoplastics

couple in bathroom

For thermoplastic processing applications, Dow Industrial Specialty Polymers offers the range of POLYOX™ Water-Soluble Resins. They are thermoplastic materials that are readily calendared, extruded, injection molded, or cast. Films of POLYOX Resins are flexible, tough, and resistant to most oils and greases. And POLYOX Water-Soluble Resins can form association compounds with many other substances such as polystyrene, polycaprolactone, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyactides to produce unique blends and achieve a wide variety of additional useful formulation properties.

POLYOX Water-Soluble Resins have melting points in the range of 65-68°C (149-154°F), and glass transition temperatures near -58°C (-72°F).

Add lubricity and hydrophilicity to thermoplastic products – Used at concentrations of 15% by weight or more, higher molecular weight grades of POLYOX Water-Soluble Resins will impart lubricity to thermoplastic products.

Incorporated into thermoplastics, POLYOX Water-Soluble Resins can modify surface hydrophilicity. As little as 5% by weight can change a surface from hydrophobic to hydrophilic.

Water soluble – The water solubility of POLYOX Water-Soluble Resins can be controlled over a wide range through blending with other thermoplastics. Packaging materials, personal care products, and other items manufactured from POLYOX Resins are easily disposable and environmentally friendly.

Time release capability – Devices that provide time-release of fragrances, colors, surfactants, reagents, and other materials can be extruded using POLYOX Water-Soluble Resins.

Nontoxic and degradable – POLYOX Water-Soluble Resins are nontoxic and have receive FDA approvals for a number of food and drug applications. Aqueous solutions of POLYOX Resins are environmentally degradable due to oxidation and aerobic biodegradation.

Thermoplastic applications ­– POLYOX Water-Soluble Resins are currently used in a variety of applications using thermoplastic processing:

  • Degradable plastics
  • Molded combs
  • Porous dip tubes
  • Seed tape
  • Lubricating strips for razors
  • Water-soluble packaging, including film and bags
  • Water-soluble tube containers

POLYOX Water-Soluble Resins for Thermoplastic Applications

POLYOX Water-Soluble Resin
 Molecular Weight Melt Flow Index,
190°C/21.6 Kg
(g/10 min)		 Application
WSR N-80 200,000 25-35 Blends with other plastics for fast aqueous dissolution. Time release.
WSR N-750 300,000 3-4 Time release formulations, blown film, tubing and injection molding formulations.
WSR-205 600,000 Blending agent for lubricious-when-wet formulations.
WSR-301 4,000,000 <0.5 Blending agent for lubricious formulations. Time release.
WSR Coagulant 5,000,000 <0.5 Blending agent for lubricious formulation.


Polymers that Form Miscible Blends with POLYOX Water-Soluble Resins

  • Polyvinylacetate
  • Polymethylmethacrylate
  • Polyacrylic acid
  • Polycaprolactone
  • Polyvinyl alcohol
  • Polyurethane
  • Nylon
  • Cellulose

Working with other polymers and compatibilizers —

Some other polymers can be melt-processed together with POLYOX Water-Soluble Resins, but show phase separations.

  • Examples are:
    • Polyethylene
    • Polypropylene
    • Polystyrene
  • Compatiblizers can be blended to reduce phase separations:
    • Polycaprolactone in polyethylene/blends
    • Low molecular weight POLYOX Polymer and PPO copolymers in Polystyrene/POLYOX Polymer blends