Vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMO) | Manta V31

Manta V31 is vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMO, CAS 2768-02-7, ≥99% purity) used for moisture crosslinking of polyethylene in wire, cable and PEX-b pipe production and as a moisture scavenger in one-part sealants. It is comparable to Momentive Silquest A-171, Evonik Dynasylan VTMO, WACKER GENIOSIL XL 10 and Shin-Etsu KBM-1003.

Manta V31 is a bifunctional organosilane possessing a reactive vinyl group and a hydrolyzable trimethoxysilyl group . The dual nature of its reactivity allows it to bind organically to polymers via radical grafting, while simultaneously creating a moisture-curable crosslinked siloxane network.

It is an industry-standard, high-volume additive primarily used for the moisture crosslinking of polyethylene (XLPE) in the wire and cable industry, and acts as a highly efficient moisture scavenger in advanced sealant formulations.

It is equivalent to industry benchmarks such as Momentive Silquest A-171, Evonik Dynasylan VTMO, WACKER GENIOSIL XL 10, and Shin-Etsu KBM-1003.

Manta V31 is a critical raw material with two primary industrial applications:

1. Polymer Modification & Silane Crosslinking (Wire, Cable & PEX Pipes)

Manta V31 is widely used to modify polyethylene (PE) and other polymers. Using a peroxide initiator in an extruder, the vinyl group grafts to the polymer backbone. The resulting grafted polymer is then shaped (e.g., cable jacketing, wire insulation, PEX-b pipes) and exposed to moisture/hot water. This causes the trimethoxysilyl groups to hydrolyze and condense, forming a robust Si-O-Si crosslinked, thermoset network.

2. 2. Moisture Scavenger in Adhesives & Sealants

Due to its rapid reaction with water, V31 is extensively utilized as a moisture scavenger in one-part moisture-curing formulations (such as Silane-Modified Polymers/MS, Polyurethanes, and Silicones). It consumes trace amounts of moisture during compounding and packaging, drastically improving the shelf-life and preventing premature gelation or outgassing in the cartridge.

3. Co-monomer for Polymer Emulsions (Water-Borne Coatings)

The reactive vinyl group allows V31 to copolymerize with acrylics or vinyl acetate monomers during emulsion polymerization. This produces silane-modified, water-borne dispersions that exhibit dramatically improved wet scrub resistance, weatherability, and crosslinking density upon drying.

4. Surface Treatment for Mineral Fillers (HFFR Cables)

Acts as a highly effective surface modifier for inorganic flame-retardant fillers, such as Aluminum Trihydroxide (ATH) and Magnesium Hydroxide (MDH), utilized in Halogen-Free Flame Retardant (HFFR) cables. It improves filler dispersion, water resistance, and mechanical strength in highly filled polymer composites.

5. Adhesion Promoter for Specialty Resins

Functions as an excellent adhesion promoter and coupling agent specifically tailored for unsaturated polyesters and acrylic resin systems, and is frequently employed as a sizing agent for fiberglass composites.

Benefits of Silane Crosslinking (vs. Uncrosslinked Polymers)

• Significantly higher maximum continuous use temperature.
• Reduced deformation under load (creep resistance).
• Superior Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR).
• Improved impact strength, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance.
• Provides distinct memory characteristics (crucial for shrink films and heat-shrink tubing).

Advantages of Silane Crosslinking over Radiation or Peroxide Methods

• Low capital investment and lower operating (energy) costs.
• Higher productivity with wider processing latitude (controls premature crosslinking/scorch).
• Processing versatility: accommodates complex shapes and variable thicknesses (thick or thin).

Highly useful with heavily filled composites and applicable to all PE densities and copolymers.