Powdered Nitrile rubbers because of their polarity, act as plasticizers for many polymeric systems like PVC, Phenolics etc. An improved grade of pre-crosslinked Nitrile Elastomer has been developed, the handling of which is better due to easy flow. This Nitrile Elastomer (rubber) with 38% Acrylonitrile content has excellent flow characteristics due to its partition agent - Calcium Carbonate. This new grade, when blended as modifier in Phenolic based brakeliners allows faster braking without creating loud sound. It would therefore help to enhance the performance of brake liners and increase the comfort level for the driver as well as passengers by eliminating the screeching sound while applying sudden brakes.

This new grade from Bayer Chemical is called Baymod® N VP KA 8641 and is similar to Baymod® N XL 38.20, a product which has already set a new benchmark in powdered nitrile rubbers. In the new grade Calcium Carbonate has replaced talc as a partition agent. Baymod® N VP KA 8641 increases the abrasion coefficients so that activating the brake has an immediate effect even at low temperatures. There is no delay while the brake linings heat up. The new modifier increases both the flexibility of friction and brake linings and resistance to oils and automotive fuels, while also improving wear properties. A particular advantage lies in the reduction of braking noise. Baymod® N VP KA 8641 is used to bind fibers, fillers and phenol formaldehyde resins. Production of these types of resin mixtures usually involves mixing the solid components in a high-speed mixer. The very small particle size of the new modifier enables the rubber to be optimally dispersed even without the use of solvent.