Huntsman Launches VITROX ABR Adhesives for Abrasive Applications

The Polyurethanes division of Huntsman has announced the launch of VITROX® ABR adhesives – a new range of specialty, two-component, polyurethane-based resins that can make the manufacture of abrasive products more flexible, time efficient and cost effective. 

Using VITROX® ABR adhesives to bind mineral and synthetic grains to backing materials and webs, abrasive manufacturers can gain greater control over resin-related steps in the production process – whether they are creating abrasive products for achieving the perfect finish on metal, wood, leather, glass, ceramics or other specialist substrates.

VITROX® ABR adhesives have a tunable set of mechanical properties that can be adjusted to meet specific processing and performance parameters. With the ability to fine-tune the viscosity, hardness and reactivity of resins to suit requirements, it is possible to create high quality abrasive products while optimizing line throughput and reducing wastage.

VITROX® ABR adhesives are also free from hazardous classified solvents, another major benefit. To support this work, Huntsman has recently invested in a new adhesives pilot line at its technical center in Everberg, Belgium.

Johan Van Tongelen, Adhesives Growth Projects Director at Huntsman Polyurethanes, said: “Whether manufacturers are creating abrasives for the treatment of glass, leather or wood, or for polishing metals and ceramics, VITROX® ABR adhesives are easy to work with and offer a number of clear processing, performance and cost benefits.

The reaction from customers who have trialed the products has been positive and we expect the adhesives to prove popular now they are more widely available to manufacturers across the abrasives industry.