NAPHTHENIC SPECIALTY OILS OFFER ADVANTAGES FOR SEALANTS

Appreciated for their thermal and chemical stability, silicone sealants are used extensively in the construction industry. Silicone is in short supply globally, however, and sealants represent only one of many products using it as an ingredient. Yet, so far, none of the major silicone suppliers have announced significant capacity extensions. A recent study provides some hopeful news, finding that naphthenic oils can offer a viable alternative to silicone fluids. A newly developed range of specialty oils also provides formulators with the right balance between viscosity, color stability, and volatility. The comparative study showed that selected naphthenic oils can be used to replace silicone fluids partially or fully, resulting in reduced manufacturing costs. The research revealed that, in order to be a successful candidate for replacing silicone fluids, the naphthenic oil needed to display the right balance between three important performance criteria: compatibility, loss of mass, and color stability.