DuPont Neoprene The Neoprene W Family

Technical InformationRev. 5, July 2010

General Characteristics
DuPont Neoprene W types are chloroprene homopolymers or copolymers of chloroprene and 2,3-dichloro-1,3-butadiene. They contain no elemental sulfur, thiuram disulfide, or other additives that are capable of decomposing to yield either free sulfur or a vulcanization accelerator. They do not contain staining stabilizer. They have a more uniform molecular weight distribution than the G types, with the greatest frequency occurring about 200,000. As a group, members of the W family have the following characteristics in common (which are related to their chemical composition): Excellent raw polymer storage stabilityconsiderably better than Neoprene G types. No decrease in molecular weight, either under mechanical shear or with chemical peptization. However, some reduction in viscosity may occur under high shear conditions. The degree of softening is greater for the high molecular weight polymers such as Neoprene WHV and WD. Compounds mix faster, develop more heat during mixing, and are less tacky than those of Neoprene GNA or GRT. Vulcanizates have good resistance to heat aging and compression setsubstantially better than vulcanizates of Neoprene GNA or GRT. Cure accelerators must be added to achieve practical cure rates and acceptable vulcanizate properties. Therefore, W types offer considerable latitude in processing safety and cure rate through judicious choice of type and amount of accelerator. Before accelerators are added to the mix, Neoprene W compounds are less susceptible to scorch due to heat history than are compounds based on members of the Neoprene G family. Uncured extrusions resist collapse and distortion much better than extrudates of compounds based on the Neoprene G types. However, the Neoprene W types are not as good as the T types in this case. If properly compounded with nonstaining compounding ingredients, they can be used in applications where staining of finishes cannot be tolerated.

Neoprene W types are chosen primarily where service conditions call for Neoprene with the best available heat and compression set resistance. Even when these properties are not the primary consideration, W types are frequently used because of a combination of excellent storage stability, uniform processability, broad compounding latitude, and all-around good vulcanizate properties.

Storage and Heat History

Although it is good practice to store all Neoprene in a cool, dry place, the polymers of the W family will remain stable to viscosity changes longer and under more widely varying conditions than the members of the G family. The excellent storage stability of W types results from the absence of materials that contribute to instability such as sulfur and thiuram disulfide.

For the same reason, compounds based on W types are relatively insensitive to heat history until a cure accelerator is added to the compound. Even zinc oxide may be mixed into the compound with only slight reduction in bin stability, as long as accelerators are kept out of the mix. Storage stability of mixed compounds can be maximized by withholding accelerators and other destabilizing materials until just prior to final finishing. In addition to recognized accelerators, the materials most likely to impair storage stability are antioxidants and antiozonants.

Processing Characteristics
DuPont Neoprene W types do not decrease in molecular weight, either under mechanical shear or with chemical peptization. However, some reduction in viscosity may occur under high shear conditions. The compounds mix faster and warmer, and there is less batch-to-batch variation in compound viscosity than is the case with compounds of Neoprene GNA or GRT. However, compounds of W types have less inherent building tack and greater nerve than compounds of G types.The availability of various viscosity grades enables the compounder to select a polymer or blend of polymers that will provide a suitable compound viscosity for processing with virtually any loading. Although the processing characteristics of compounds based on Neoprene W types are generally good, they can be further improved (at the expense of some vulcanizate tensile strength, tear strength, and resistance to flex cracking) by incorporating a highly cross-linked gel form* of polychloroprene in the raw polymer. As the amount of gel component in the polymer increases, nerve decreases and extrudates exhibit smoother surfaces, better collapse resistance, and reduced shrinkage. Neoprene WB, a superior-processing type that contains a high percentage of gel, is often blended with other members of the Neoprene W family (and occasionally with G types) to improve compound processability. Considerable latitude in processing safety and/or cure rate is possible with W types through selection of the type and amount of curatives and by delaying addition of the accelerator.

Compounding
Compounding Neoprene, including Neoprene W types, is discussed in technical literature provided by DuPont. In general, the response of W types to compounding ingredients is similar to that of the other types. Neoprene W types are available in a variety of viscosity grades, giving the compounder a wide choice in compound design. The high viscosity grades of both the regular and crystallization-resistant W types can be highly extended with fillers and plasticizers while still yielding workable compound viscosity and useful vulcanizate properties. Curing systems for the Neoprene W family can be chosen not only for processing safety and cure rate, but also to achieve desired vulcanizate properties such as optimum compression set resistance.

Handling Precautions
There are no unusual health hazards associated with Neoprene solid polymers. However, routine industrial hygiene practices are recommended to avoid such conditions as dust buildup or static charges. For additional information, read DuPont reference Guide for Safety and Handling and FDA Status of Neoprene Solid Polymers and observe the precautions noted therein. Compounding ingredients used with Neoprene W types to prepare finished products may present hazards in handling and use. Before proceeding with any compounding work, consult and follow label directions and handling precautions from suppliers of all ingredients.

*This cross-linked polymer is referred to as gel because it swells, but does not dissolve, in toluene (a good solvent for non-cross-linked polychloroprene) to form a gelatinous mass. The gel polymer is present in the form of microscopic particles.

Information on European Union Dangerous Preparations Directive 1999/45/EC related to Colophony Skin Sensitization
Colophony is classified as a skin contact sensitizer under European Union Dangerous Preparations Directive 1999/45/EC effective July 30, 2002. This Directive requires labeling of products that contain colophony at levels equal to or greater than 0.1% (refer to the Directives for specific details). Solid (dry type) Neoprene adhesive grade products manufactured by DuPont contain about 4% colophony (CAS No. 8050-09-7). Toxicological tests have demonstrated that dry Neoprene is not a skin sensitizer. Because of this testing, dry Neoprene polymer is not subject to mandatory labeling under the above Directive despite the presence of the colophony. However, when these Neoprene adhesive grade products are dissolved in organic solvents, the colophony may still be present at concentrations up to 0.8% depending on the solids content of the solutions. In the absence of data showing the adhesive is not a skin sensitizer, the adhesive could be subject to the above EU regulation. It is recommended that manufacturers and marketers of adhesive solutions based on DuPont Neoprene (dry type) adhesive grade products determine whether the colophony level is above 0.1%. If the manufactured preparation has a colophony content of less than 0.1% it will not be subject to mandatory labeling (provided no other constituents necessitate mandatory labeling). Manufactured preparations that contain higher colophony contents will require the labeling and/or container notices described in the Directive.

Visit us at neoprene.dupont.com Contact DuPont at the following regional locations:

North America 800-222-8377 Greater China +86-400-8851-888 Latin America +0800 17 17 15 ASEAN +65-6586-3688 Europe, Middle East, Africa +41 22 717 51 11 Japan +81-3-5521-8484

The information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and is based on technical data that DuPont believes to be reliable and falls within the normal range of properties. It is intended for use by persons having technical skill, at their own discretion and risk. This data should not be used to establish specification limits nor used alone as the basis of design. Handling precaution information is given with the understanding that those using it will satisfy themselves that their particular conditions of use present no health or safety hazards. Since conditions of product use and disposal are outside our control, we make no warranties, express or implied, and assume no liability in connection with any use of this information. As with any product, evaluation under end-use conditions prior to specification is essential. Nothing herein is to be taken as a license to operate or a recommendation to infringe on patents. Caution: Do not use in medical applications involving permanent implantation in the human body. For other medical applications, discuss with your DuPont customer service representative and read Medical Caution Statement H-50103-3. Copyright 2010 DuPont. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont, and The miracles of science are trademarks or registered trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates. All rights reserved. (10/03) Reference No. NPE-H73476-00-F0710