Products
Exceptional carbon dioxide polymers offer improved manufacturability
Are you interested in a binder that decomposes quickly and completely? We have a unique family of carbon dioxide based polymeric binders called QPAC® poly(alkylene carbonate).
QPAC®25 poly(ethylene carbonate), QPAC®40 poly(propylene carbonate), QPAC®100 poly(propylene/cyclohexene carbonate), and QPAC®130 poly(cyclohexene carbonate) are all commercially available. Our industry-leading family of binders can be individually modified for your specific application. Polybutylene carbonate has been produced on a limited scale commercially.
QPAC® binders are soluble in many common solvents. While they are not soluble in water, a water-based emulsion is available for QPAC®40 only.
Superior performance
Empower Materials polymers feature an exciting blend of unique properties that translate into superior performance for advanced ceramics, sealing glasses, thick film paste systems, powdered metals, composites, and MEMS structures. The decomposition is rapid, efficient and occurs at low temperatures with minimal residual.
Decomposition at lower temperatures
QPAC® binders decompose completely in air by 300°C, starting at 200°C. This decomposition temperature is at least 100°C below that of many binders currently used. Complete burnout of our polymers occurs by 340°C in inert atmospheres, e.g., in nitrogen, argon, and hydrogen, and a reduced atmosphere. Under vacuum processing, the burnout temperatures are even lower. Binder burnout times can be significantly reduced when producing dielectric materials, FPD components, diamond cutting tools, brazing pastes, solid electrolytes, fuel cells, sealing glass materials, or electronic inks.
Little to no residue
The complete burn-out of QPAC® binders yields strong sintered parts, virtually contaminant-free. Ash residues are typically less than 10 ppm for pure binder. Based on 3% binder use levels, residual ash in finished parts would be well under 2 ppm, suitable for applications where purity is essential.
Improved quality
QPAC® binders and sacrificial materials are also unique in that they burn out mildly, without violent gas formation. Thus, whether your process operates in an oxidizing, reducing, or inert atmosphere, you can expect fewer rejects due to cracking. You can also easily predict decomposition, giving you more reliable control and higher-quality products.
Consistent results
In our lab tests, as well as tests at customer facilities, green and fired strengths and densities of parts produced with QPAC® binders match those made with commercial binders that either decompose incompletely or decompose at much higher temperatures.
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