Films, Tapes and Release Liners
Consumer Solutions
SYL-OFF™ Emulsion, Tin-Catalyzed Silicone
Release Coatings from Dow
Release System Information Guide
Solventless Solvent Emulsion
Contents
Platinum
Low Platinum
General Information �����������������������������������������1
Rhodium
Product Range Details �������������������������������������2
Tin
Product Handling Information ���������������������2
General Information
Formulation Advice �������������������������������������������3
SYL-OFF™ brand emulsion, tin-catalyzed • Medium release
Application Information �����������������������������������3 silicone release coatings consist of a • Little adhesive interaction; excellent
silanol-functional base polymer form- stability with acrylic adhesives
Formulation Suggestions �������������������������������4 ulated with a siliconhydride crosslinker • Suitable for use on conventional
and a biocide in an aqueous delivery processing equipment
For Information and Assistance �������������������4
system. When combined with a tin-
salt catalyst, these coatings cure via a Physical Properties
thermally initiated condensation reaction. SYL-OFF emulsion, tin-catalyzed silicone
Web temperatures of > 110°C (230°F) are release coatings are “oil-in-water”
typically required. Once initial cure is emulsions. They are typically supplied
complete, a period of post-cure is as 40 to 50 percent solids emulsions.
required to complete the reaction.
Applications
Features
• Release liners for pressure sensitive
• Reliable cure system adhesive laminates and tapes
• Resistant to substrate inhibition and • Casting papers
catalyst poisoning • General industrial release papers
• Economical – provide adequate release • Nonstick packaging
at relatively low coat weights
Product Range Details
The SYL-OFF™ brand emulsion, tin-catalyzed silicone release
coating products listed below are available worldwide and meet
the majority of global industry requirements. However, they
represent only a portion of Dow’s silicone release technology.
Contact your Dow representative for information about other,
locally available product options.
Pressure Sensitive Release Applications
Base Coating
A 40% solids emulsion of a silanol functional silicone polymer and multifunctional crosslinker
in water. Highly robust emulsion coating recommended for use with difficult substrates. The
SYL-OFF™ 1181 Emulsion Coating
cured coating offers medium release at low peel speeds with higher (tighter) release at high peel
speeds. Not suitable for paper machine applications.
Catalyst
A 50% solids emulsion of an organotin catalyst in water. Suitable for use with SYL-OFF 1181
SYL-OFF™ EM-1171A Catalyst Emulsion
Emulsion Coating.
Product Handling Information
Substrates Coat Weight
SYL-OFF™ emulsion, tin-catalyzed silicone release coatings In practice, coating baths vary from 4 to 8 percent silicone
have been successfully applied to uncoated papers, including solids by weight. At these levels, dry coat weights from 0.6 to
uncoated krafts, board and parchment, and coated papers, 1.3 g per m2 (0.4 to 0.8 lb per 3,000 sq ft ream) can be achieved.
such as super-calendered krafts, glassine and clay-coated krafts. Coat weight can be varied by changing the coating parameters,
When thickeners are added to the formulation, SYL-OFF the coating technique and/or the concentration of silicone in
emulsion, tin-catalyzed coatings are suitable for use on porous, the bath. Coating trials should be conducted for each
low-cost papers. These coatings are not recommended for use substrate used.
on poly-coated krafts, plastic films or metal foil.
Shear Stability
The suitability of a substrate for use with the chosen release
coating should be evaluated before commercial application. Although these coatings have been formulated for optimum
shear stability, emulsions, in general, are nevertheless sensitive
Application Equipment to shear. Consequently, a minimum amount of agitation is
recommended when making and storing the coating bath.
SYL-OFF emulsion, tin-catalyzed silicone release coatings are
applied using conventional techniques such as wire-wound Low shear pumps (e.g., gear or diaphragm) are therefore
rod, air knife, squeeze roll, reverse roll or trailing blade. The recommended for transporting the material. Because centrifugal
coatings described in this guide are not designed for use on the pumps generate excessive shear and air entrapment resulting in
paper machine or with direct gravure application equipment. general degrading of the bath, they should not be used.
If application by direct gravure is desired, consult your Dow
technical service representative. Bath Life
Time, temperature, type and age of the substrate, coat weight
and degree of surface penetration can all affect the cure
performance of SYL-OFF™ brand emulsion, tin-catalyzed silicone
release coatings.
pg 2
It is possible to reduce cure time, lower cure temperature or performance of SYL-OFF brand emulsion, tin-catalyzed silicone
improve completeness of cure by raising the catalyst level. release coatings.
However, higher catalyst levels will result in shorter bath life. It is possible to reduce cure time, lower cure temperature or
improve completeness of cure by raising the catalyst level.
However, higher catalyst levels will result in shorter bath life.
Formulation Advice
Figure 1 illustrates the effect of catalyst level on the cure
Coating to Catalyst Ratio
performance of SYL-OFF 1181 Emulsion Coating at various
SYL-OFF™ 1181 Emulsion Coating is 40 percent active silicone temperatures in terms of time to NNN (no smear, no rub-off,
solids, as supplied. SYL-OFF™ EM-1171A Catalyst Emulsion is 50 no migration).
percent active silicone solids, as supplied. Good cure can be
achieved with catalyst levels ranging from 5 to 10 percent of Figure 1. Cure Performance of SYL-OFF™ 1181 Emulsion
the coating, as supplied. Coating with SYL-OFF™ EM-1171A Catalyst Emulsion
Note: While raising the level of catalyst in a formulation can 25
Cure Time to NNN, seconds
bring about more complete or faster cure, it can also reduce
bath life. 20
15
Thickeners
Thickeners may be added to the bath to aid spreading, film- 10
forming and to reduce penetration into the paper. Suitable
5
thickeners include carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), such as
Blanose 7L2, and hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HEC), such as Natrasol 0
250 MR. Other thickeners may be used as well. However, any 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
(140) (176) (212) (248) (284) (320) (386) (392)
thickener should be thoroughly evaluated prior to commercial
use. Typically, thickeners are used in a range of 2 to 10 percent Oven Temperature, ºC (ºF)
by weight, based on silicone solids. The optimum addition Test Conditions: 8 wt% silicone solids coating applied by Meyer rod to 54-lb super-calendered kraft;
approximate coat weight: 1.3 g per m2 (0.8 lb per 3,000 sq ft ream); cured on a laboratory pilot coater,
level should be determined by thoroughly evaluating its effect 6-second dwell.
on bath stability and the functional properties of the coating,
including release force and aging. Figure 2 illustrates the comparative release performance of
SYL-OFF 1181 Emulsion Coating against three adhesive types –
Antifoams solvent-based rubber, acrylic and hot melt.
These coatings have been formulated to give a minimum
amount of foam during bath preparation and processing. Figure 2. Comparative Release Profiles of SYL-OFF™ 1181
However, use of certain types of process equipment may Emulsion Coating Against Solvent-based Rubber, Acrylic and
create foam that has the potential to reduce bath life or impair Hot Melt Adhesives
coverage. In these situations, the use of very low levels of 150
DOWSIL™ AFE-1520 Antifoam is recommended: 0.01 to 0.05 130
tesa® 7476 tesa® 7475 Hot Melt Tape
Rubber Tape Acrylic Tape
weight percent of the bath, or up to 500 mL per 1,000 L of the
110
coating mix.
90
Bath Preparation 70
To prepare a SYL-OFF emulsion, tin-catalyzed silicone release 50
coating bath, follow these steps: 30
10
1. Combine the required amount of water and thickener
and/or antifoam, if required. -10 1 10 100 1000
0 1
2. Add the base emulsion to the water mixture and mix Peel Speed, m/min (ft/min)
thoroughly.
Test Conditions: 8 wt% silicone solids coating applied by Meyer rod to 54-lb super-calendered kraft;
3. Add the catalyst emulsion and, again, mix thoroughly. approximate coat weight 1.3 g per m2 (0.8 lb per 3,000 sq ft ream); cured on a laboratory pilot coater;
15 seconds at 200ºC (390ºF); 1-day liner aging and 1-day laminate aging at room temperature; liner
pulled from laminate at 180º.
Application Information Food Contact Information
Cure Performance These coatings are not intended nor approved for use in food
Time, temperature, type and age of the substrate, coat weight contact applications.
and degree of surface penetration can all affect the cure
pg 3
Limitations
These products are neither tested nor represented as suitable The typical formulations that follow are intended merely to
for medical or pharmaceutical uses. serve as reference points for further discussion. Dow does not
warrant their merchantability, fitness for use, performance,
Health and Environmental Information efficacy, safety or freedom from patent infringement. It is your
To support customers in their product safety needs, Dow has responsibility to thoroughly test any formulation before use.
an extensive product stewardship organization and a team of For specific formulation advice, contact your Dow technical
health, environment and regulatory affairs specialists available service representative.
in each area. For further information, please consult your local
Dow representative.
For Information and Assistance
For product information, application troubleshooting,
Formulation Suggestions
product samples and formulation advice, visit
Formulations consumer.dow.com.
SYL-OFF™ emulsion, tin-catalyzed silicone release coating
components can be combined and adjusted in several ways
to meet various processing and performance challenges.
Table 1. Starting Formulations Using SYL-OFF™ 1181 Emulsion Coating
Component Parts of Formulation, % by Weight
(A) Standard formulation (B) Improved hold-out (C) Faster cure, improved
Formulation
for general purpose use formulation hold-out formulation
SYL-OFF™ 1181 Emulsion Coating 14 14 14
SYL-OFF™ EM-1171A Catalyst Emulsion 0.7 0.7 1.4
Thickener 0 1 2
Dilution Water 85.3 84.3 82.6
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