Both Capa® Polycaprolactone polyols and Tolonate® aliphatic isocyanates have long been enhancing the performance of end products in a wide range of applications. New test results now confirm that they work even better together, enabling high performance, low VOC automotive and other industrial metal coatings to continue to look and protect like new even in the toughest conditions.

Formulators of high performance polyurethane coatings using Tolonate® HDT-LV2, low viscosity aliphatic polyisocyanate, unlock major advantages by adding Capa® 3050 polycaprolactone as a reactive diluent to a 2K solvent-based high solids formulation. Coatings with Capa® polycaprolactones show 57 percent greater abrasion resistance than conventional polyesters and greater resistance to permanent scratches. See the test results below.

Testing also confirms that adding Capa® polycaprolactones to a formulation further reduces its VOC content without compromising the final performance, thanks to the very low viscosity of polycaprolactones. It also gives the final coating high gloss and excellent appearance due to perfect compatibility between Capa® polycaprolactones and the acrylic resins. Drying time is reduced while the flexibility of the system, even at – 25°C, and maintaining the final hardness of the coatings. This is of special interest in the case of automotive plastic coatings for exterior parts like bumpers.

Finally, it also improves the outdoor durability and chemical resistance of coatings. Tests show that coatings with Capa® polycaprolactones are more resistant to UV-B exposure in terms of gloss retention.

“Pairing these two products enables our polyurethane customers to formulate high solids coatings with low VOCs and high performance properties. It is a perfect example of how our extended product portfolio now offers even more winning formulas,” says Eugénie Charrière, Perstorp Market Development Director of Coatings and Adhesives.

Capa® Polycaprolactone polyols are aliphatic, liquid, low viscosity, polyester polyols that are ideal as reactive diluents in 2K low VOC polyurethane formulations. Capa® polycaprolactones are well known for their unique performance properties: exceptional hydrolysis resistance and tear strength, very high transparency, best-in-class for UV and light stability, low temperature flexibility, chemical and abrasion resistance.

Tolonate® aliphatic polyisocyanates, have proven in the last 30 years, to be the ideal cross-linkers of polyurethane coatings and adhesives formulations, showing exceptional outdoor durability with no yellowing and high gloss retention upon ageing, and outstanding chemical and mechanical properties.

Increased abrasion resistance by 57%
The coating formulations containing Capa® polycaprolactones show a superior abrasion resistance compared to the reference formulation containing a conventional polyester.

                                                                                                                      

Increased impact resistance
The high flexibility of Capa® polycaprolactones offers improved flexibility even at – 25°C.

Evaluated on coatings heated during 24h at 80°C and then cooled to -25°C for 3h