Crosslinking
___ Crosslinking is a key process in enhancing the performance of materials. This technique involves linking polymer chains, boosting durability and stability. It’s crucial in developing robust materials for various applications, achieved through methods like heat, radiation, or chemical additives. Crosslinking imparts superior resistance to heat, chemicals, and wear, essential for SiKÉMIA’s focus on creating long-lasting, high-performance materials. This adaptability in crosslinking aligns with SiKÉMIA’s commitment to innovative material solutions, tailored to meet diverse industrial needs.
Thermosettings
Covalent reticulation is employed in various technologies of commercial and scientific interest to control and enhance material properties or at the interface with the polymer. This is particularly evident in thermosetting polymers, commonly known as thermosets, where the curing step facilitates the crosslinking of the resin. The reticulation process occurs, resulting in the formation of a three-dimensional network of polymer chains connected by chemical bonds. In the life sciences industry, this technology is pivotal in developing biomedical devices and drug delivery systems, where the enhanced material properties like biocompatibility, strength, and controlled degradation play a critical role in their functionality and effectiveness.
Vulcanisation of Rubber
Vulcanization of rubber thanks to sulfur is one of the best-known examples of crosslinking. Thanks to this process, raw rubber is converted from a weak polymer to a high-resistant elastomeric compound. Such technology leads in our car tires, which were fragile and not wear resistant at all before vulcanization.
The use of silane technology in crosslinking polyethylene/wood flour composites
SiKÉMIA offers a wide range of chemical compounds with at least two functional groups, which are adapted to the chemistry of reticulated compounds.
Paints&Coatings
Crosslinking plays also an important role in the paint industry. Some coatings are obtained by reticulation of the polymeric matrix composing the continuous part of the film, which can result from temperature, UV, IR or electron irradiation. The crosslinking ensures a good mechanical strength and integrity of the final layer.
Crosslinked polymeric coatings: Preparation, characterization, and diffusion studies