Material Thoughts: Annual Additives report

Available in pellet form, these concentrates can be activated by either endothermic or exothermic chemistry. Many concentrates are blended with proprietary carriers, and as a result of the technology used, they can retain 100% of their activity level until they are triggered by specific processing temperatures. They can be used in injection or blowmolding, pipe extrusion, and film-and-sheet processing, as well as in wire-and-cable applications.PolyOne, Cleveland, OH, U.S.A.; +1 440-930-1000; www.polyone.com Foaming agentsAdditive gives a real razzamatazzRAZ-85 foaming agent is an endothermic/exothermic blended foaming agent for injection molding and extrusion application that can be used in vinyl, styrenics, polyethylene grades, and elastomers. It has a high gas yield even at low dosing levels, thereby saving processors money. It produces products that have significant weight reduction. Cell structure tends to be uniform, and the material will increase extrusion output. Applications include footware, building and construction, and automotive parts.Reedy International, Keyport, NJ, U.S.A.; +1 732-264-1777; www.reedyintl.com MasterbatchesColor masterbatches have FR built inRenol colors from this manufacturer provide more than visual appeal for consumer electronics and appliance applications. To meet increasingly stringent flame-retardance (FR) requirements when adding to polycarbonate/ABS blends, popularly used for consumer electronics such as LCD and plasma televisions, the company has come up with masterbatches that it calls “combibatches” to provide color and function in a single pellet. This masterbatch has achieved an all-color registration for UL94 V-O at 1.5 mm. It has no appreciable effect on mechanical properties such as impact strength or processing characteristics. It will not cause cosmetic defects around the multiple bosses and ribs that are generally built into such components, says Steve Duckworth-Hu, global head of this company’s consumer goods market segment.Clariant Masterbatches Div., Muttenz, Switzerland; +41 61-469-7466; www.clariant.masterbatches.com Silicone-based material is multitalentedMB Siloxane masterbatches are ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) siloxane-based performance enhancing additives. Consisting of 25-50% content dispersed in a thermoplastic carrier (polyolefins, nylon 6, acetal, or styrenics), the agent helps reduce both the dynamic and static coefficient of friction, enhances scratch and mar resistance, improves processability of highly-filled organic or inorganic compounds, and provides hydrophobic properties at a wide range of temperatures. Targeted markets are wire and cable, extruded cable conduits, packaging, and compounding.Multibase, Dow Corning, Saint-Laurent-du Pont, France; +33 4-766-71212; www.multibase.com No leaching effect seen on antimicrobialsThese two companies have partnered to sell additive masterbatches using silane-based antimicrobial technology. These additive grades, under the trade name Biosafe HM4100, protect and prolong the active useful life of plastics articles by fighting growth of bacteria, fungi, mold, mildew, and algae. The active ingredient only needs to be dosed at a loading level of 0.25-0.5%, and this percentage represents antimicrobial alone rather than the masterbatch, say the partners. They claim this makes it more competitive and efficient than traditional antimicrobials based on silver or triclosan. According to their figures, this translates into an additive cost that is at least 33% less than competitive ion or silver chemistry.Biosafe, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A.; +1 412-770-1302; www.biosafe.com;RTP Co., Winona, MN, U.S.A.; +1 507-454-2041; www.rtpcompany.com Dustless system makes film processing easierThis manufacturer of masterbatch systems is now offering products containing flame retardant and foaming agents as microgranules with a size of 1.0-1.8 mm. The company says supplying additives for plastics in microgranule form has an advantage over powders or conventional masterbatches, and they are suitable for dust-free processing. The materials help reduce the need for cleaning on the shop floor and enable exact dosing even in the smallest quantities. The distribution of microgranule form Luvopor, Luvogard, and Luvofilm also can be easily dispersed in the polymer melt.Lehmann & Voss & Co., Hamburg, Germany; +49 40-441-97452; www.lehvoss.de LUBRICANTS/SLIP AGENTSPOs benefit from dual effectsIncroslip G is a slip agent for polyolefin applications such as vehicle parts, food-packaging films, and containers. It combines high slip with high stability. Standard slip additives in such applications tend to degrade, which can lead to problems of yellowing or lack of slip in the finished product. Automotive interiors are a particular challenge to the stability of additives because of the high operating temperatures and exposure to sunlight in hot climates. Tests of Incroslip G show superior stability without impairing slip performance compared to standard slip additives in such applications. This material can also contribute to improved blocking. The company claims that as little as 500 ppm provides a reduction in blocking force of up to 40% while retaining high film clarity.Croda Polymer Additives, Hull, England; +44 1405-863-399; www.croda.com/europe Vinyl processors get slip and slide Rheochem brand lubricants are formulated to improve the productivity of PVC window and door profiles, fencing, siding, and pipe extrusion. The manufacturer claims its customers were able to raise PVC extrusion rates by 20-40% compared to using conventional lubricants for the same applications. When dosed at similar levels as conventionally used systems, processors reaped a 10% lower torque difference, which resulted in lower energy consumption. The material also helps improve PVC gloss and surface appearance. Processors also found improvements in terms of burning, melt temperatures, plate-out, intervals between maintenance shutdowns, discoloration, and rejection rates.Honeywell Specialty Additives, Morristown, NJ, U.S.A.; +1 973-455-5382; www.honeywell.com Release agent helps blade to release easierA water-based release system, XTEND, is being used to make wind-blade production easier and faster. It is comprised of a water-based mold sealer, WS47, and a matte-finish mold release, W7838D. Both these products are recommended for spray application on either ambient or heated tools. The non-flammable, odor-free products dry and cure quickly and provide multiple release of thermosets such as epoxy or polyester parts. “The water-based release system is designed to provide a matte surface on finished parts as well as to meet health and safety requirements of our EU partners, yet still remain tough enough to withstand the rigors of the epoxy infusion process,” says Nancy Teufel, product manager at the manufacturer.Axel Plastics Research Laboratories, Woodside, NY, U.S.A.; +1 718-672-8300; www.axelplastics.com Mother nature helped with slip, sun protectionCESA-natur slip additives, delivered in masterbatches, target polylactic acid polymer (PLA) film applications where the coefficient of friction, thanks to the inclusion of naturally occurring waxes, comes close to the values achieved by synthetic wax-based products. Tests have shown that CESA-natur slip appears to have only marginal influence on transparency. In the same family CESA-natur light can provide UV stabilization in both bioplastics and oil-based resins. Like synthetic additives, they are based on aromatic molecules but use naturally occurring ingredients. In the past, natural compounds chosen for UV protection were colored and usually showed low thermal stability at processing temperatures above 200°C. These new masterbatch solutions are formulated from light-colored substances that are more heat stable than previous products. They offer UV light protection comparable to conventional synthetic UV absorbers in thicker materials in the critical range from 220-340 nm.Clariant Masterbatches Div., Muttenz, Switzerland; +41 61-469-7466; www.clariant.masterbatches.com FUNCTIONAL FILLERSHigher strength than steel This very strong, light para-aramid fiber (polyparaphenylene terephthalamide) has a high modulus, is thermally stable, and offers high impact as well as chemical resistance. Added as a filler in plastics applications, its functional properties provide superior strength and wear protection. Twaron grade 5011 as a powder can be used in a variety of engineering polymers and has a particle size of 99% less than 0.125 mm. Grade 5000, with particle sizes averaging 0.45 mm, is best for use in enhancing composites. These grades give high tensile strength, fatigue resistance, and dimensional stability.Teijin Aramid BV, Arnhem, Netherlands; +31 26-366-5525; www.teijinaramid.com COLORANTS/PIGMENTS Glitter shimmer entices shoppersIriodin effect pigments are natural mineral mica particles covered with a wafer-thin layer of titanium dioxide (TiO2). These transparent, silver-white luster pigments dispersed in plastics applications provide a soft, deep-seated glow that is generally characterized in nature by pearls or mother-of-pearl.Glittery as well as silky, matte luster effects can be created by varying the pigment particle size. When the thickness of the TiO2 on the mica increases by only one millionth of a millimeter, the application will emit a colored shine due to the physical phenomenon of the interference of light waves.Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany; +49 6151-727-912; www.merck-chemicals.com