Prepolymers and additives for the adhesives and sealants industry
They are compatible with a wide range of polymers and can be used in adhesives, sealants, coatings, paints, flooring, wall coverings, synthetic leather, and personal care. K-FLEX plasticizers enable formulators to optimize both the manufacturing processes and the properties of the end products.
Selecting Plasticizers for Adhesives and Sealants
Plasticizers are one of the commonly used additives in adhesives and sealants formulations. They improve the performance of adhesives by creating much-needed flexibility, optimizing viscosity, toughness, set time functionality, impact resistance, and even adhesion.
Modifying Expectations: Novel Urethane Modifiers Outperform
The plasticizers in the evaluation were: Alkylsulphonic acid phenylester (ASEP)—specialty plasticizer widely used in urethanes Traditional dibenzoate A—common TPU-grade plasticizer with a moderate OH level Traditional dibenzoate B—common plasticizer for 2K PU systems with a moderate OH level
Hydroseal HY: phthalate-free plasticizer for hybrid sealant
Phthalate free-plasticizer for sealant and adhesive hybrid technologies: HYDROSEAL HY. HYDROSEAL HY characteristics offer greater performance to sealant and adhesive: Better elastic recovery > 70% (The minimal value for construction sealant according to ISO 11600) Easier workability due to lower stringing properties and higher extrusion rates
High-Purity Polyols Improve Performance of Adhesive and
EXTON, Pa., November 12, 2025 – Adhesives and sealants used in demanding applications must perform reliably to meet production standards and ensure the quality and safety of the products in which they are used. To address these challenges, AGC Chemicals Americas offers PREMINOL ultra-high molecular weight polyether polyols and EXCESTAR silane-modified polyether polymers. Both impart...
- What is a plasticizer used for?
- Plasticizers have been used to give polymers a permanent adhesive character (pressure sensitivity), or to regulate their adhesion-cohesion balance to achieve removability. For example, plasticizers can be incorporated into peelable pressure-sensitive adhesive to soften the adhesive, and thus improve peelability and clean removal.
- What is plasticizer compatibility?
- Plasticizer compatibility is the key to plasticizer performance in adhesives and sealants. In latex systems, compatibility can be assessed by observing the viscosity increase after the addition of the plasticizer and by observing the clarity of a cast film of the plasticized adhesives.
- What types of plasticizers are used in adhesives & sealants?
- Oils (like paraffinic, naphthenic, and aromatic) are used mainly as plasticizers in non-polar adhesives. These are generally used in the hot-melt adhesives and sealants. Base polymers include the mid-blocks of styrene-butadiene copolymers and polyolefin-based adhesives. Polymeric plasticizers are used frequently in adhesives and sealants.
- Do plasticizers reduce the viscosity of adhesives & sealants?
- Plasticizers will reduce the melt viscosity of hot-melt adhesives and 100% solids adhesives & sealants. However, the addition of certain plasticizers to a polymeric emulsion will usually result in increased viscosity. This effect can be used to formulate a waterborne adhesive having greater coating thickness build-up.
- Why are plasticizers used as extenders?
- Plasticizers may also be one of the least expensive additives used in adhesives and sealants, and they can be used in relatively large concentrations depending on the application and formulation (up to 100 parts by weight per 100 parts of the base polymer). For these reasons, they are sometimes used as extenders for cost-reducing purposes.
- How do I choose a plasticizer?
- The key evaluation parameters in choosing a plasticizer are: Plasticizers will reduce the melt viscosity of hot-melt adhesives and 100% solids adhesives & sealants. However, the addition of certain plasticizers to a polymeric emulsion will usually result in increased viscosity.
