Infuse

Brand Information

INFUSE™ - Olefin Block Copolymers

Putting the Bounce Back in Your Step

Produced by DOW, INFUSE™ Olefin Block Copolymers (OBCs) are advanced polyolefins featuring alternating blocks of hard (highly rigid) and soft (highly elastomeric) segments. This unique block structure offers an exceptional balance of flexibility and heat resistance compared to random polyolefin copolymers.

INFUSE™ OBCs were developed using INSITE™ Technology, inspired by customer needs and collaboration with experts both within and outside of Dow. These revolutionary copolymers enable unprecedented performance and processing combinations, opening up a world of new possibilities for polymer converters, processors, and formulations.

Key Benefits of INFUSE™ OBCs:

• Improved balance of flexibility and high-temperature resistance
• Faster set-up in processing due to higher crystallisation temperature
• Better elastic recovery and compression set properties at both ambient and elevated temperatures
• Enhanced abrasion resistance
   

Ideal Applications for INFUSE™ OBCs:

• Footwear: Midsoles made with INFUSE™ OBCs demonstrate strong recovery after multiple compression and release cycles, providing excellent cushioning for athletic shoes.
• Health and Hygiene Elastic Films: The recovery characteristics make INFUSE™ OBCs ideal for elastic films in products like diapers, where multiple stretch and recovery cycles are encountered.
• **Adhesives: ** INFUSE™ 9807 and 9817 are suitable as alternative feedstock for pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA).
• Housewares: Suitable for various household items requiring flexibility and durability.
   

INFUSE™ OBCs offer several unique attributes compared to currently available polyolefin elastomers (POEs), such as improved balance of flexibility and high-temperature resistance, faster set-up in processing due to higher crystallisation temperature, better elastic recovery and compression set properties at both ambient and elevated temperatures, and improved abrasion resistance.

These benefits make INFUSE™ OBCs an outstanding alternative for a wide range of flexible polymers including Styrene Block Copolymers (SEBS, SIS, and SBS), Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Flexible Polyvinyl Chloride (f-PVC), Thermoplastic Vulcanisates (TPVs), Flexible Polyolefins, and selected Crosslinked Elastomers.