Expancel Microspheres the multi-performance additive

2Our unexpanded microspheres are used as expanding agent (or foaming agent) in many applications. Below are examples of where Expancel can be used - and the effects you can get.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS ADVANTAGES WITH EXPANCEL*

Artificial leather Surface modifications such as suede and nubuck effects

Genuine leather Outstanding filling capacity, very low shrinkage, very good buffing properties, good flexibility, soft touch feeling

Lightweight foam Good shock absorbance and recovery

Microcellular PU foams Reduced weight, controlled and uniform foam structure

Nonwoven for composites Cost savings, reduced weight, good insulation, increased dimensional stability, increased bulk and thickness

Paper and board Improved bulk, bending stiffness, thermal insulation. Coated applications can give soft touch and anti-slip

Porous ceramics Controlled and uniform pore structure

Printing ink for wallpaper, fabrics and textiles 3D effects, matting, peach or suede look.

Sheets, boards and profiles Closed cells, foam stability, reduced weight, cost saving potential

Shoe soles Reduced weight, matt surface, improved wearing comfort due to unique cell structure

Silicone rubber Cost savings, reduced weight, uniform and closed cell structure, dry surface

Thermal release material Debonding at elevated temperatures

Underbody coatings Improved stone chip resistance and sound dampning, low UBC weight helps cut fuel consumption

Wine stoppers of cork granules Improved compressibility

Wine stoppers, plastic Reduced weight, density control, better elasticity

Wood plastic composites Reduced weight, easier to saw and drill

Expanding/foaming agent

Expancel is a product with endless possibilities. It is a multi-performance additive that gives a multitude of advantages to numerous applications. In this leaflet we give you some examples of what Expancel can do for you.

Our idea is not just to supply a high quality product. We also provide a very good knowledge of our microspheres and their use. Both in the form of application support and as technical handling assistance. Often we work closely together with our customers in their product development.

We are present all over the world. Headquarters, including marketing, research and development, production and technical service, are located in Sweden. We have our own sales offices in many countries around the world and other areas are served through distributors. In order to give fast and efficient service we also have production facilities in China and the US.

The productExpancel comes in many varieties. We have both unexpanded and expanded grades and they come in wet or dry form or as masterbatch. All this means that they work both in systems with heat and without heat, with water and without. Varying chemical compositions give expansion at different temperatures. Thanks to different particle sizes you can get various surface effects, for example matting and roughness. The very low densities give a weight reduction even at small dosages.

Contact us, and we can together find the best Expancel solution for your product.

3The difference in volume beween unexpanded and expanded Expancel microspheres at the same weight.

Our expanded microspheres are used as a lightweight filler or to create specific effects. The below list gives some examples of applications where Expancel can give advantages to your product.

Lightweight effect filler

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS ADVANTAGES WITH EXPANCEL*

Cable filling compound Reduced dielectric constant, reduced water penetration, cost reduction, reduced weight

Coatings (reflective, insulating, elastic) Energy savings through solar reflection and thermal insulation, enhanced durability and weather resistance

Composites Reduced weight, reduced cost / lower resin consumption, increased stiffness

Crack filler / Spackling compound Sandability, easy to apply, sanding dust less irritating than with glass microspheres

Cultured marble Reduced weight, less risk of cracks during production, improved machinability, lower resin consumption

Frost resistant concrete Reliable frost resistance, reduced shrinkage, increased strength

Genuine leather Outstanding filling capacity, very low shrinkage, very good buffing properties, good flexibility, soft touch feeling

Microcellular PU foams Reduced weight, controlled and uniform foam structure

Modeling clay Easty to shape, low shrinkage upon drying

Model making board Cost savings, weight reduction, improved machinability

Paint

Reduced weight, better applicability, higher water vapor perme-ability, matting effect, low emission of VOC, lower transportation cost for producer

Paper and board Soft touch

Polyester putty Low volume cost, easy to apply, extraordinary sanding properties, reduced shrinkage

Porous ceramics Controlled and uniform pore structure

Sealants Cost savings, weight reduction, reduced volume shrinkage during drying

Silicone rubber Cost savings, reduced weight, uniform and closed cell structure, dry surface

Underbody coatings Improved stone chip resistance and sound dampning, low UBC weight helps cut fuel consumption

* It is important that you make your own tests to find out what advantages you can achieve with Expancel. The effects may vary due to matrix, process conditions, etc.

To find out more about our microspheres you can contact us at:

Email: info.expancel@akzonobel.com

Akzo Nobel Pulp and Performance Chemicals ABExpancelBox 13000850 13 SundsvallSwedenPhone: +46-60 13 40 00Fax: +46-60 56 95 18www.expancel.com

www.akzonobel.comwww.expancel.com

AkzoNobel is a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals. We supply industries and consumers worldwide with innovative products and are passionate about developing sustainable answers for our customers. Our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International and Eka. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we are consistently ranked as one of the leaders in the area of sustainability. With operations in more than 80 countries, our 50,000 people around the world are committed to delivering leading products and technologies to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing world.

2013 Akzo Nobel NV. All rights reserved.

Registered trademark of AkzoNobel in a number of territories. GE

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