Hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin have emerged as a highly sought-after material in the adhesives industry, particularly for hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives (HMPSA). These resins are produced through the hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons present in petroleum resins, resulting in products that exhibit improved hue, odor, and weather resistance. In this article, we will delve into the characteristics, applications, and specifications of hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins, particularly those that are water white in color.

Characteristics of Hydrogenated Hydrocarbon Resins

Hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins are primarily categorized into C5 hydrogenated resins, C9 hydrogenated resins, DCPD hydrogenated resins and hydrogenated C5&C9 copolymer resins. These resins undergo a hydrogenation process, converting the unsaturated hydrocarbons into saturated hydrocarbons, thereby enhancing their overall performance. Key characteristics of hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins include:

1.      Water White and Odorless: These resins exhibit a water-white color and are odorless, making them suitable for use in applications where aesthetics and odor control are crucial.

2.      Good Thermal Stability and Heating Resistance: The hydrogenation process significantly improves the thermal stability of the resins, enabling them to withstand high temperatures without degrading.

3.      Excellent Compatibility: Hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins display good compatibility with various base polymers, such as SIS, EVA, SBS, SEBS, and polyvinyl, enabling their use in a wide range of adhesive formulations.

4.      Versatile Applications: Due to their exceptional properties, these resins find widespread use in hot melt adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, and solvent adhesives, among others.

Specifications of Hydrogenated Hydrocarbon Resins

ECOPOWER, a leading manufacturer of hydrocarbon resins, offers a range of hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins tailored to meet specific application requirements. Some key specifications for their products include:

•  Softening Point: Depending on the type of resin, the softening point ranges from 95-105°C to 130-140°C.

•  Color (Gardner): All hydrogenated resins are water white, with a color grade of #0-#1.

•  Heat Stability: The resins demonstrate excellent heat stability, withstanding temperatures up to 180°C for 4 hours without significant degradation.

•  ASH Content: The ash content of the resins is kept to a maximum of 0.1%, ensuring purity and consistency.

Applications of Hydrogenated Hydrocarbon Resins

Hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins are widely used in the production of hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives (HMPSA) due to their exceptional adhesive properties. These resins can be blended with base polymers such as SIS, SBS, and SEBS to create adhesives with enhanced tack, peel, and shear strengths.

In addition to their use in HMPSA, hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins are also employed in:

•   Solvent Adhesives: As tackifiers in solvent-based adhesives, these resins improve the adhesive performance and enhance the overall quality of the product.

•   Rubber and Plastic Modification: They can be used to modify the properties of natural and synthetic rubbers, as well as various plastics, improving their durability and processability.

•  Wax Modification: In combination with waxes, hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins can be used to create wax-based products with improved adhesion and stability.