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++MCG-1

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Northstar Polymers, LLC

3444 Dight Avenue So.

Minneapolis, MN 55406

Tel: 612.721.2911

Fax: 612.721.1009

E-Mail: info@northstarpolymers.com

Northstar Polymers, LLC is a member of Polyurethane Manufacturers Association.

Copy right reserved by Northstar Polymers, LLC 2000 - 2007.  Northstar Polymer prohibits duplication of the contents from this web site for the purposes of public display and/or using on another web site without a written authorization by Northstar Polymers, LLC.

MCG-1

"Super Soft" OOO Scale Microcellular Polyurethane Gel Elastomer

MCG-1 is formulated for making extremely soft products. MCG-1 has unique structure for this class of material. The cured product will be slightly foamed and give a very soft touch, yet faster responding time than the other polyurethane gel of similar hardness range.

Typical polyurethane gel materials have solid range between Shore OO 10 to OO 40 hardness, and if the mixing ratio is modified to obtain a softer range product, the material starts to sag like thick liquid. MCG-1 has its solid range below Shore OO 1 hardness, or in Shore OOO scale range. (See below for the hardness data.) This allows a manufacturer to use the molded part at OOO scale without plastic film or liquid proof fabric. The cured part can be directly covered with Spandex type fabric; this allows your part to directly convey the softness of the gel.

Another property that is unique to this gel is that since it contains some bubbles inside, it has a property to contract down from the original volume when a deflection force is applied. Regular gel materials do not contract within the same space and need expansion space to deflect, thus typically they are not appropriate for upholstery application. MCG-1 contracts up to a certain point without needing expansion space, thus it can be used as upholstery and bedding applications conveying its softness.

This material remains soft at low a temperature range (see the low temperature test data below).   This material stays soft at the winter outdoor cold temperature range.  So the material can be used in motorcycle and bicycle seating applications, as well as cushioning parts for winter sport equipment. 

Suggested applications include:

• Cushioning and padding parts for sporting goods and medical devices

• Upholstery application

• Human-fat simulating products (for doll skins, external breast augmentation etc.)

• Pillows and beds

• Shock absorbing products

• Seating products

This polyurethane gel material is formulated in such a way that the user can control/choose the hardness/deflection properties of the product. Following is reference for the hardness to the corresponding mixing ratio.

Components:       Part-A: MPA-026          Part-B: PAA-033

Mixing Ratio: Hardness Range Mixing Ratio

 

Shore OOO 37	A:B = 1:9.0 by weight
Shore OOO 40	A:B = 1:8.7 by weight
Shore OOO 45	A:B = 1:8.5 by weight
Shore OOO 49	A:B = 1:8.0 by weight
Shore OOO 68	A:B = 1:7.0 by weight

*The above hardness data is typical values and may vary depending on the various processing conditions. Harder products have faster rebound time and deflection. The user must calibrate the mixing ratio to the desired yielding hardness for each application. The data is reference only.

 

Low Temperature Property:

The following low temperature hardness is our lab test result on a sample made at part-A: part-B = 1: 8.7 ratio by weight.  The sample material is cooled with dry ice, and the hardness is measured by OO scale Shore Durometer. 

70 to - 5 °F:  < OO 1 peak hardness

at - 10 °F: OO 3 peak hardness

at - 20 °F: OO 5 peak hardness

at - 30 °F: OO 20 peak hardness

at - 40 °F: OO 40 peak hardness

Durometer gage comes down to zero in a few seconds after registering the peak hardness. 

Typical Processing Parameters:

The following is the processing parameters of 1:8.5 mixing ratio, ambient temperature for the component materials and the mold. Harder material has faster curing pattern in general.

Pot life:               2 to 2-1/2 minutes at ambient temperature

Demolding:         12 to 15 minutes at ambient temperature

Complete Cure:   24 hours at ambient temperature

Processing Temperatures:

                          Part-A:    Ambient

                          Part-B:    Ambient

                          Mold:      72 to 110 °F Post cure Ambient

Part-A material is viscous at a room temperature. If casting machine is used for high volume production, part-A can be heated up to 160 °F to lower the viscosity; this should help well-mixing of the components. Do not heat part-B. Higher processing temperature may cause excessive shrinkage. Test the optimum mold temperature for each application.

Part-A component has tendency to separate into phases during the transportation of storage. Agitation of the content of part-A container is required before dispensing. Once it is physically blended, part-A will be homogeneously mixed for at least 1 week. If you see dark settlement at the bottom of the part-A container, do not use the dark part.

Although this material is solid at low Durometer hardness, the surface is still sticky; so it is recommended the material is covered with soft fabric or flexible film material. For temporary handling, you may use talc powder to prevent it from sticking to the handlers or equipment. In case of casting or molding, silicone release agent can be used.

Part-A

 Part-B

Handling Information:

Safety:

The component materials are industrial-grade chemicals. Please keep them in a secure place and prevent access from any unauthorized individual. The personnel who handle these materials need to read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for detail information on safety and handling of the material. The MSDS for each component is sent with the shipment of the component material.

When you are conducting a test, or producing your parts using this material, please be sure to operate in a wide-open area with good air movement, or in a well-ventilated area. Wear rubber gloves, long sleeves, and protective eyeglasses to prevent skin/eye contact of the material. When your operation involves heating or spraying of the material, we recommend, in addition to the above, installation of a proper dynamic ventilation system and/or using a half-face respirator to prevent inhalation of the fume.

Direct contact of polyurethane raw materials to skin/eye, as well as ingestion may lead to health problems. No eating or smoking should be permitted at the working area. The operator should wash hands well with soap and water after handling the materials. Please refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet for each component for the detailed health information.

Storage:

Part-A component (prepolymer) contains isocyanate component, which is very much sensitive to moisture. If it is left in air, part-A component will react with atmospheric moisture and will be ruined. This reaction is non-reversible. Soon after opening a can and dispensing the content, nitrogen gas or negative-40-degree-due-point dry air needs to be injected to the container to blanket the material. Silica gel or calcium chloride desiccant filter should be installed to 55 gallon drum-vent for your drum dispensing system. The storage temperature should be at a room temperature between 65 and 90 ºF.

Part-B component may be hygroscopic. If the material is exposed to ambient air, it may absorb moisture. Moisture contaminated part-B material may become source of degradation or excessive bubbles in the product. Avoid exposure of the material to air. For long term storage, purging the empty space in the container with nitrogen gas or negative-40-degree-due-point dry air is also recommended to prevent moisture contamination of part-B. The storage temperature should be at a room temperature between 65 and 90 ºF. Store the containers in a dry indoor space.

For any questions, please contact Northstar Polymers.

Tel: 612-721-2911

Fax: 612-721-1009

Web Site: http://www.northstarpolymers.com

E-Mail: info@northstarpolymers.com

Notice: All of the statements, recommendations, suggestions, and data concerning the subject material are based on our laboratory results, and although we believe the same to be reliable, we expressly do not represent, warrant, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of same, or the material or the results to be obtained from the use thereof, neither do we warrant that any such use, either alone or in combination with other materials, shall be free of the rightful claim of any third party by way of INFRINGEMENT or the like, and NORTHSTAR POLYMERS DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OF MERCHANTABILITY and FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.