Dow Automotive, global market leader in glass bonding, presented a new direct glazing system, BETASEAL* 1527, at Autopromotec 2005, a major European aftermarket tradeshow which took place in Italy from May 18th. BETASEAL 1527 is a new generation of adhesives which improves on Dow Automotive's RINA technology. It is easy to use and offers many practical benefits including simple application, short safe drive-away time and easy extrusion in low temperature conditions. Most importantly, it can be applied on all types of vehicles.

BETASEAL 1527 is a one-component, medium-viscous, high-modulus, humidity-curing polyurethane adhesive with an open time of 8 to 12 minutes. Easily extrudable with a handgun in low temperature conditions, it enables a safe drive-away time of only 60 minutes at 0°C. Its non-conductive formula gives high quality radio, phone and satellite navigation reception and reduces contact corrosion on aluminium car-bodies. In addition, BETASEAL 1527 meets globally mandated safety requirements, such as FMVSS 212, and contributes to the vehicle's overall structural integrity. It is specified by OEMs worldwide and provides OEM quality in the replacement of windscreens, backlites, quarter glass and sunroofs.

Dow Automotive has also simplified the preparation procedure. The new BETAPRIME* 5005 primer will enable the user to prepare the most commonly found substrates. Thanks to its built-in corrosion protection, using this primer will eliminate the need for a separate corrosion protection system.

This advanced one-component PU adhesive uses Dow Automotive's Reinforced Isotropic Network Architecture (RINA) technology. RINA is a chemical structure of pre-polymers with interwoven cross links at regular intervals. RINA based adhesives absorb and dissipate crash stresses more effectively than conventional, one component adhesives and ensure a rapid bond to primers and prepared substrates.

OEMs specify the use of primer when fitting windscreens during manufacturing because it enables long-term stability and safety while also providing resistance to UV and other environmental factors. In the aftermarket, the use of a primer makes sense for additional reasons. Automotive glass replacement shops use glass from many sources, and not all of these windscreens meet OEM specifications. Use of primers such as BETAPRIME* ensure that the glass adheres correctly and provides OE level strength and safety.

BETASEAL 1527 is available in a 300ml cartridge and can be applied with any professional application gun for one-component products. It is designed to be used with BETACLEAN* 3300 cleaner and BETAPRIME* 5005 primer.

Dow Automotive is a leading supplier of plastics, adhesives, sealants and other plastics-enhanced products for interior, exterior, under-the-hood, vehicle body structure and acoustical management applications. The organization serves global tier, OEM and aftermarket customers. With offices and application development centers around the world, Dow Automotive provides materials science expertise and comprehensive technical capabilities to its customers worldwide. For additional information about Dow Automotive products and services, visit www.dowautomotive.com. Dow Automotive is a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company.