Web exclusive: More additives news from NPE

BLOWING AGENTS
Lightweighting aids in energy, cost cutting
Foaming agent specialist KibbeChem launched a liquid blowing agent, LiquidLite, during the recent NPE show. It offers an alternative to powdered or pellet products that may create dust on the shop floor. According to company VP Shannon Rice, LiquidLite produces similar performance to powder or pellet materials but helps cost since 20% less of the material can be used to achieve a similar effect.

The company is offering users the appropriate pumping system for feeding. Rice told MPW, “With LiquidLite we are able to do in a liquid form what we have done in pellet and dust for years, thereby offering flexibility and efficiencies the foaming market demands.” LiquidLite achieves a lighter weight by reducing material density. The liquid dispersion enhances the smoothness of processing and allow converters to dose at lower rates, use less energy, run smaller quantities, and have a finer and consistent cell structure, he says. It is also said to be more consistent, resulting in less downtime and saving money.
KibbeChem, Elkhart, IN, USA; +1 574-266-1234; www.kibbechem.com

New line of CBAs launched for plastics
Additives supplier Americhem has launched an expansion of its line of chemical blowing agents (CBAs) under the brand nCore. According to Anna Ploplis Andrews, senior research scientist at the company, these endothermic, exothermic, or endo-exo blends can be tailored to the application intended. They help decrease cycle time, make it possible to reduce the weight of finished goods, improve some physical properties, and reduce cost of the overall product. They also offer improved heat and sound insulation, sink mark prevention, and nail or screw acceptance without requiring specialized installation equipment. The nCore line is available in pellets or powders.
Americhem, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA; +1 330-929-4213; www.americhem.com

Additive helps make PVC goods lighter
A powered endo-exo blend foaming agent, XOP331 from Bergen International, aids in the insulation properties of rigid vinyl profiles and sheets, while also helping processors to reduce the weight of these. It can also be provided in a pelletized masterbatch for applications where a controlled gas release is important while still producing low-density foams. It provides a good visible surface for clean appearance.
Bergen International, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, USA; +1 201-299-4499; www.bergeninternational.com

PLASTICIZERS
Efficient package provides flex in PVC
For use in vinyl toys, rainware, and garden hoses, The Chemical Co. (TCC) showed two new nonphthalate plasticizers during NPE. Vestinol INB is an isononyl benzoate that works as a low-viscosity secondary plasticizer and is fast fusing. A typical formation would include this additive at about 15 parts per hundred. Initial and long-term viscosity is low relative to general-purpose plasticizers. Another new additive, NatureFlexx 509, is an acetyl tributyl citrate. This biodegradable plasticizer sees use in PVC, polyvinyl acetate (PVAC), cellulosic resins, and synthetic rubber. End uses include food packaging, medical devices, leisure goods, and children’s soft toys. This grade can act as a drop-in replacement for dioctyl phthalate and dimethyl phthalate.
The Chemical Co. (TCC), Jameston, RI, USA; +1 401-423-3100; www.thechemco.com

Alternatives offered to obtain soft PVC
Now available from Teknor Apex to manufacturers of toys such as action figures and childcare products is a wide range of vinyl compounds made flexible with alternatives to phthalate plasticizers. These materials enable customers to comply with Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations that became effective in February. The producer of plasticizers for captive use has separated production of PVC compounds containing di (2-ethexyl) phthalate and other phthalate plasticizers from that of compounds plasticized with alternatives. “While there is no evidence that phthalates traditionally used in toy and child care articles have adversely affected human health, Teknor Apex recognizes that manufacturers now require compounds containing alternative plasticizers and have taken the initiative to offer them,” says John Macaluso, industry manager for the company’s consumer and industrial applications.
Teknor Apex, Pawtucket, RI, USA; +1 401-725-8000; www.teknorapex.com

STABILIZERS
Good thermal stability combines with color hold
Sorbacid 944 from Süd-Chemie is a formulation that, in conjunction with calcium/zinc systems, offers an environmentally friendly, nontoxic, and heavy-metal-free means of stabilizing vinyl applications such as window and door profiles. This co-stabilizer is based on either magnesium-aluminum-hydrotalcite or magnesium-aluminum-zinc-hydrotalcite. Its stabilizing effect is due to its ability to deactivate the chloride ions that are set free during thermal degradation of the polymer. These chloride ions replace the carbonate ions in the hydrotalcite lattice and are therefore immobilized between the hydrotalcite layers. The chloride-anion is bonded to the inorganic host lattice and is unable to accelerate PVC degradation. The material comes in a white, odorless powder with a density of 2.21g/cm3. It can also be used in flexible vinyl for wire and cable applications.
Süd-Chemie, plastics additives division, Moosburg, Germany; +49 8761-82-369; www.sud-chemie.com

PURGING COMPOUNDS
Injection presses taken to the cleaner
Ultra Purge BP concentrate grade of chemical purging agent from Mould Plus International is said to be nonabrasive and can be used to mold the material into parts so as to provide visible assurance of its reaction. It is designed to clean presses processing thin-walled parts on stack molds at operating temperatures of 190-400°C. It is nonpolymer dependent and should be mixed with a material having the same melt index. Ultra Purge is recommended by injection molding equipment maker Husky. Grade PO-C, also a concentrated grade, has been formulated so blown film dies can maintain their bubble strength during color purges. It can also clean out barrels, nozzles, and hot runners.
Moulds Plus International, Costa Mesa, CA, USA; +1 714-708-2663; www.ultrapurge.com

Cleaning power featured in every compounded pellet
The U grade of purging compounds from Asaclean–Sun Plastech results in high cleaning with low residue formation. Unlike products that are a physical mix of general commodity polymer with various additives, this type of purging aid is 100% active yet is a general-purpose material with high cleaning performance. It can be used with most thermoplastic resins over a wide temperature range (350-680 F; 180-360 C). Unlike purging compounds containing cast acrylic resin that will not completely melt during extrusion, the U grade will not cause machine damage or leave high amounts of residue behind, says the company. Grade U can be used for color and material changes, hot runner cleaning, shutdown and sealing, as well as carbon/color contamination problems.
Asaclean–Sun Plastech, Parsippany, NJ, USA; +1 973-257-1999; www.asaclean.com

X marks the spot for high cleaning
Shuman Plastics’ Dyna-Purge division presented its improved X grade purging compound during NPE. The material offers dual-action scrubbing and, according to Tim Cutler, company business manager, helps lower purging costs. Compared to chemical and abrasive mechanical purges, grade X can reduce cost-to-purge from a competitive chemical product at $18.46/purge, or an abrasive mechanical compound at $6.23/purge, to $2.81/purge using Dyna-Purge X, says Cutler. The material is engineered to clean and remove degraded resins faster with less downtime than competitive products, he says. It also lowers scrap rates and can be used for profile, sheet, cast film, and compounding. Customers are said to be able to use between 20-25% less purging compound with grade X than conventional purging materials.
Shuman Plastics, Depew, NY, USA; +1 716-685-2121; www.dynapurge.com

Processing equipment gets spick and span
A new commercial purging compound designed for cleaning blown film and sheet lines was introduced at NPE by Neutrex. Purgex 461 Plus is a blend designed to clean extruders operated for small-lot output requiring frequent purging and can be used in certain cases without removing the screen changer. It is said to result in shorter cleaning cycles, less downtime, lower costs, and better control of the release of contaminants during production runs. It is recommended for color and material changes. The pelletized material comes in a low-linear-density polyethylene carrier and FDA-approved active ingredients that are nontoxic and nonabrasive. It has an operating temperature range of 250-450°F (120-232°C).
Neutrex, Houston, TX, USA; +1 281-807-9449; www.purgexonline.com

OTHER ADDITIVES
Material targets eco-friendly use
The Oxo-Biodegradable additive supplied by Green Club helps initiate the molecular breakdown of polyolefins in compost environments, assuming specific temperature and oxygen values are reached. This thermo-oxidative additive system results in microbial digestion of the direct biodegradable components by providing greater surface area for the process. It speeds thermo-oxidation and/or photo-oxidative breakdown of the polymer chains. This weakens the mechanical properties and makes the surface hydrophilic, opening the material to direct microbial digestion. Left in the compost is water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. No toxic breakdown components are created.
Green Club, Toronto, ON; +1 416-594-3275; www.greenclubinc.com

FLAME RETARDANTS
Nonhalogenated solutions provide better protection
PolyOne globally launched a portfolio of halogen-free flame retardants (FR) for optical fiber wire and cable applications during NPE2009. The new products include several grades of ECCOH and ECCOH PF low-smoke and -fume compounds as well as colorant and additive packages. This FTTx family of products for telecommunications is suitable for both outdoor and indoor applications.
PolyOne, Avon Lake, OH, USA; +1 440-930-1000; www.polyone.com