Materials Chemistry
Design of materials and coatings exhibiting outstanding performance
Materials chemistry corresponds to the study dedicated to designing materials with novel properties, such as optical, electrical, magnetic, catalytic, thermal or mechanical properties. Chemistry and materials research rely on understanding the influence of chemical structure on the processing and resulting properties. Innovative polymeric materials are prepared each day to achieve our customers’ goals.
FROM HIGH-PERFORMANCE THERMOSETS AND THERMOPLASTICS
SPECIFIC POLYMERS has been working on a wide range of polymeric matrices that are either thermosets or thermoplastics. The thermosets are advantageous because they are thermally stable, chemically resistant and show superior strength. Thermoplastics are recyclable and present high-impact resistance.
These past years, our work has been mostly dedicated to developing new thermoset materials and coatings since the versatility of monomers (chemical nature, functionality, the composition of the formulation, etc) enables a fine-tuning of the final properties. Epoxies, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, phenolic resins and polyesters are widely employed in industrial applications and have been at the center of our studies. Simultaneously, thermoplastics have been mostly used as additives in our formulations to provide high-service temperatures and toughness.
TOWARD HYBRID MATERIALS AND COATINGS
Our strong expertise, based on our knowledge of organic and polymeric chemistry, enables us to design suitable formulations that result in desired properties. To diversify our fields of applications and achieve new performance, we have extended our studies to hybrid materials that combine organic and inorganic components at a molecular scale. The synergy created by this amalgamation leads to remarkable properties and, for this reason, these materials are at the forefront of most recent technical innovations.
KEEPING A SUSTAINABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLY APPROACH
SPECIFIC POLYMERS is willing to contribute to environmental change and thus increasingly, focused its research on (i) the development of water-based formulations, (ii) the substitution of fossil fuel resources with bio-based precursors and (iii) photo-polymerization which is considered as a “green process”. For example, water-based conductive paints are currently elaborated in our labs and could replace solvent-borne formulations since they attain the same level of conductivity.
A LARGE CLASS OF POLYMERIC MATRICES
To incorporate new properties into our materials, SPECIFIC POLYMERS considers and formulates a broad class of polymers through our chemistry and materials research. To cite just a few examples, we have extensive experience in working with:
- Fluoropolymers for lubrication and weatherability
- Rubbers for impact resistance and elasticity
- Polycaprolactone for flexibility and hydrophobicity, while providing biocompatibility
- Polylactic acid or polylactid acid-co-glycolide for biodegradability
- Cationic polymers for antimicrobial activity
- Polyethers for hydrophilicity
- Polyacrylamide or polydiacetylene for stimuli-responsive behavior with pH or light
- Fluorinated and NLO polymers for low or high refractive index
- Silicones for hydrophobicity and toughness
- PEAK, Polyimide, Polyetherimide and Polyethersulfone for thermal stability
BUILD-TO-SPECIFICATION APPROACH
Depending on the specification, our polymer formulations are also implemented with inorganic particles, such as graphene, silver or carbon nanotubes, or modified to be processed as sol-gel formulations. Thus, the field of possibilities is broadened since these counterparts can bring electrical or thermal conductivity, drastically change the material’s refractive index, or enhance the resistance to abrasion. Finally, carbon or glass fibers can be infused with our formulations to create high-performing composites. Vegetable fibers combined with bio-based resins or UV-curable formulations, are also studied to elaborate “green composites”.
The previously mentioned list of specialty materials and coatings is not restrictive, and we can work on a variety of custom-designed coatings and materials. We can create your materials and coatings depending on your needs. In this regard, our objective is to design and produce the quantity of resin/coating formulation you need to validate your proof of concept in your application field.
Download our materials and coatings overview to learn more about our expertise
What a pleasure to hear from you!
Do not hesitate to contact us if you require more information or if you have any question on our materials chemistry expertise.