3A SUPERSIV® Powder

3A SUPERSIV Zeolite Powder (also known as a ‘Molecular Sieve’) is a form of Synthetic Alumino-Silicate. It’s a micronised mineral powder and has the appearance of fine white Baker’s flour. [Note: The ‘Synthetic’ part is important; because it means that it is safe for your workers to use, and there is no risk of respiratory illness].

3A SUPERSIV Zeolite Powder is used as a ‘moisture scavenger’ in industrial polymers, to remove all traces of water from the systems, and to ensure that the other raw materials within the formula react with each other in the intended way. Sometimes, if there is water in a formula (e.g. a 2-Component Solvent-Based Polyurethane), one can have a situation where one’s raw materials do not react with each other correctly, and instead react with the water instead. These unintended reactions can then go-on to form unwanted by-products, that can negatively affect product quality. In the case of the 2KPU formula mentioned above, this would be the unintended generation of CO₂ (carbon dioxide) gas, from the reaction between the isocyanate and the free water within the mix. These CO₂ bubbles cause imperfections in surface finish of cast PU mouldings, and they also cause structural weaknesses in cured PU adhesives and coatings – so they must be avoided at all costs.

3A SUPERSIV Zeolite Powder is primarily used in the C.A.S.E. Marketplace (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants and Elastomers), and mainly within solvent-based 2-Part Polyurethane products. These polymers are also known as ‘2KPU’ systems. 3A SUPERSIV is also used Polyurea formulations. In these products it’s used as a moisture scavenger; and it absorbs any surplus water that has contaminated the raw materials. By absorbing the water, it then prevents Carbon Dioxide CO₂ bubbles from forming. The production of Carbon Dioxide bubbles is desirable if you are seeking to create a PU Foam, but highly undesirable if you want to create a PU Elastomers such as; rigid moulded products and/or adhesives that need to have high levels of hardness, once cured. The are also used widely for PU Potting Compounds: these products are used to encapsulate electronic components, such as circuit-boards, which prevents them from being damaged by moisture.

What are the Zeolite Powder Benefits of 3A SUPERSIV compared to 4A SUPERSIV ? …This is a good question to ask and one that we get asked frequently. Fortunately, the answer is simple to explain: 4A SUPERSIV is an historic product used by older PU formulators, who have not changed their formulation technology recently. We manufacture this product for approximately 2% of our customer-base worldwide. Think of it as being rather like an old-fashioned flip-top mobile phone: it still works, and in many situations, it remains ‘good enough’ to do the job, but it has now been superseded by 3A SUPERSIV Zeolite Powder, and this is a much better product for use in Polyurethane and Polyurea and Polyaspartic polymer formulations. To get in touch with an expert call: +44 (0)1628 531 900 …or if you prefer email, then just click on the ‘Contact Expert’ button, on the top of this page.

If you have just arrived on this page after having searched Google for “Zeolite Powder UK” then you are probably aware that there are number suppliers of this product. Having done this, you are probably now asking yourself is additional questions such as: “Are all UK Zeolite Powders the same?” and if not “How do I tell the difference between all of them?”. These are legitimate questions, and the quickest way to get answers is to give our product expert (Saul Edwards) a call on +44 (0)1628 531 900. He will be able to help you give you the quick answers that you need. He has been working with these products for over 20 years; so is a world-class expert on this subject.

• In French, Zeolite Powder is called: “Tamis Moleculaire”.
• In German it is called: “Zeolith Molekularsieb”.
• In Italian it is called: “Setacci Molecolari”.
• In Polish it is called: “Sita Molekularne”.
• In Portuguese it is called: “Peneira Molecular”.
• In Spanish it is called: “Tamiz Molecular”.
• In Swedish it is called: “Molekylsikt”.