A second and equally important benefit of NIAX surfactants is their ability to produce extremely fine foam cells with reduced void formation and superior thermal insulating properties.

Better insulation of refrigerated contents means lower energy consumption and a more efficient appliance - which is especially important to today's cost-conscious purchasers. NIAX surfactants also offer potential for application areas such as water heaters, pipes, and insulating panels.

NIAX Silicone L-6884 silicone surfactant provides compatibility with pentanes and other hydrophilic polyol compositions, avoiding haziness and phase separation. It produces extremely fine cells and delivers good foam flow, even density distribution, and low void formation. NIAX Silicone L-6988 is a very efficient surfactant that provides uniform, low thermal conductivity in hydrocarbon blown-foam cabinets.

"As the industry continues efforts to reduce emission and fuel costs continue to rise sharply, there is an increasing focus on energy efficiency across the board," said Alberto Melle, global marketing manager, Urethane Additives, GE Advanced Materials. "Consumers are looking for products - especially major appliances - that deliver measurable cost savings through operating efficiency. By using GE Advanced Materials' NIAX silicone surfactants in their insulating foam systems, manufacturers can lower the energy requirements of their appliances to address this consumer demand. At the same time, they can optimize the production of rigid foam insulation for an improved end result."


NIAX is a registered trademark of General Electric Company

GE Advanced Materials (GEAM) is a newly organized GE business, officially formed on Jan. 1, 2004 and consisting of GE's three former materials businesses: GE Plastics, GE Silicones, and GE Quartz. GE Advanced Materials is a world leader in providing materials solutions through engineering thermoplastics, silicon-based products and technology platforms, and fused quartz and ceramics. (www.ge.com)

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