Rhenogran® XLA-60 and Rhenogran® HPCA-50 were developed to replace the accelerator N’N-di-ortho-tolyl guanidine (DOTG) in polyacrylate rubber compounds.
Polyacrylate rubbers are currently used in the automotive industry in particular for highly temperature-resistant components such as seals and hoses. The vulcanizates offer a good balance of media and temperature resistance and low-temperature flexibility.
Cross-linking polyacrylate rubber products with a system comprising hexamethylene-diamine carbamate (HMDC) and N’N-di-ortho-tolyl guanidine (DOTG) generates o-toluidine emissions in volumes that constitute a health hazard. According to recent studies, o-toluidine can cause cancer. In 2006, it was classified as a Category 1 carcinogen in the German Research Foundation’s MAK and BAT Thresholds for Chemicals at the Workplace (DFG, 2006 issue). O-toluidine can also be released by vulcanizates manufactured using DOTG. Consequently, the rubber processing industry increasingly recognizes DOTG as a potential health risk, and Rhein Chemie therefore offers a safer alternative. In combination with Rhenogran® HMDC-70/AEMD, the newly developed products Rhenogran® XLA-60 and Rhenogran® HPCA-50 take over the function of DOTG and reliably prevent the formation of - o-toluidine.