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ALBION, Mich. (Oct. 23, 2009) – A technical paper written by members of Anderson Development Company and Reaction Industries LLC, a division of Caster Concepts, Inc., won the Best Paper Award in the Fundamentals of Elastomers session at the recent Polyurethanes Conference held in Washington D.C. The conference is sponsored by the Center for the Polyurethane Industry (CPI) and is the largest annual polyurethane conference in North America. The paper entitled “Determining the Stoichiometry of MDI-Based Elastomers using Compression Set and Its Relation to Dynamic Performance” details a method to ensure that MDI polyurethanes are processed to achieve optimal performance.
“It was great working collaboratively with our customer, Caster Concepts, as they have made significant investments over the years to make themselves a first-class quality manufacturer of high-performance caster wheels,” said Dr. Steve Seneker, Senior Chemist, from Anderson Development Company stated. “They have a strong commitment to continuous improvement which this project helps to advance as we determined the effects of humidity and conditioning time on achieving the optimal dynamic performance. Caster Concepts can leverage this information to make the best possible high-performance caster wheels.”
The stoichiometry, or ratio between the NH/OH and NCO groups in the polyurethane’s chemistry, affects the resulting properties of the urethane once cured. Unlike other urethanes, there is no direct analytical method to determine that ratio in MDI-based elastomers. Due to the combined research of Anderson Development Company and Reaction Industries, a method of determining stoichiometry was established by studying its effects on the physical properties of the material. Also, during the course of the research, a process to predict and even accelerate the time it takes for an MDI-based urethane part to condition before it can be put into service was determined. Typically parts made from these materials take 30 days to fully develop their material properties. Results from this paper showed that urethane could be fully cured for high dynamic application in as little time as 14 days.
“It was a privilege to work with the scientific staff at Anderson Development. It is collaborations such as these that push our field forward. We are very focused on innovation and it is very rewarding to work with Anderson who is equally focused,” said Denise Kenney, Polymer Engineer, Reaction Industries, LLC.
Caster Concepts strives to push the leading edge of technology within the caster industry. Collaboration with key suppliers is just one means CCI has increased its knowledge-base.
Caster Concepts, Inc. is an ISO 9001-2000 certified designer and manufacturer of a comprehensive line of industrial casters, ranging from a medium-duty series to a heavy-duty series to meet any application. CCI also manufactures caster wheels to withstand impact, corrosion, temperature extremes and chemicals found in harsh industrial environments. These multi-functional casters and wheels serve a variety of applications in the industrial, automotive, food service, aerospace, material handling and other demanding markets. Learn more about the entire family of Caster Concepts companies – Reaction Industries (http://reactionindustries.com/), The Machine Center (http://themachinecenter.com), Fabricating Concepts, (http://www.fabricatingconcepts.com), and Triple E Manufacturing (http://tipleellc.com), by visiting the most comprehensive web site in the caster industry at: www.casterconcepts.com.
