Plastics Additives
Additives are materials that are added to the primary resin during either compounding or processing to improve the polymer’s processability, performance or appearance. Additives include colorants; heat stabilizers; process aids; fillers; compatibilizers; blowing agents; lubricants; slip agents.
ESSENTIAL READING
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Understanding the ‘Science’ of Color
And as with all sciences, there are fundamentals that must be considered to do color right. Here’s a helpful start.
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What’s With All the Static?
Static buildup on polymers can cause a variety of problems, some rather unpleasant. Yet there’s an inexpensive way to eliminate it, and we have data as proof.
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Part 11: A Processor's Most Important Job
It’s the processors job to ensure molded parts contain enough stabilizer to perform to the expectations of the end use.
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How to Prevent Stress Whitening in PP Copolymers
A look at causes, detection, and prevention.
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Extruding with Fillers
You can use the reference point from processing unfilled polymer to determine whether you can run filled resin on your current system.
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Materials: Analyzing Filler Content
The process is considered simple. But things aren’t always as they seem.
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Latest Additives News And Updates
Laser Marking Additives for Diverse Plastics
NPE 2024: Tosaf launches additives that boast exceptional transparency.
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Sustainable Carbon Blacks for Wire and Cable and Other Applications
NPE 2024: Orion showcases carbon blacks from end-of-life pyrolysis oil.
Read MoreLyondellBasell Invests in Advanced Technology for Masterbatch Solutions
The new investment for the Americas complements the company’s testing assets in Europe.
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UV Barrier Masterbatch for Food and Industrial Packaging
Ampacet’s UVBlock 1496 is said to be a sustainable alternative to conventional solutions based on benzotriazole additives.
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Ballistic-Resistant Composite Panels Made With E-Glass and Thermoplastic Resin Systems
Avient’s Polystrand ThermoBallistic thermoplastic panels are a cost-competitive alternative to other fibers and thermosets
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Gravimetric Pump for Peristaltic Applications
NPE2024: Riverdale Global’s Maguire MS4 pump uses same load cell technology as the updated RGS Controller
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Featured Posts
At NPE2024, Follow These Megatrends in Materials and Additives
Offerings range from recycled, biobased, biodegradable and monomaterial structures that enhance recyclability to additives that are more efficient, sustainable and safer to use.
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Gerdau Graphene Launches “First” Graphene-Enhanced PE Additive Masterbatch for Extruded Packaging and More
The company has also partnered with conglomerate Sumitomo Corp. for distribution of its graphene-enhanced masterbatches in Japan.
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K 2022 Additives & Materials: Sustainability in the Lead
Nearly all of the new additives highlighted at the big show are aimed at enhancing recyclability of commodity resins and some volume engineering resins such as nylon and PC. A few new materials, on which we had not previously reported, also surfaced at K 2022.
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Understanding the ‘Science’ of Color
And as with all sciences, there are fundamentals that must be considered to do color right. Here’s a helpful start.
Read More
Resins & Additives for Sustainability in Vehicles, Electronics, Packaging & Medical
Material suppliers have been stepping up with resins and additives for the ‘circular economy,’ ranging from mechanically or chemically recycled to biobased content.
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Compatibilizers Aid Recycling & Upcycling of Mixed Resins
Compatibilizers are proving their worth in boosting critical properties such as impact/stiffness balance of PCR and PIR blends of polyolefins and other plastics.
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FAQ: Additives
What to consider when adding color?
There are several key items that are essential in developing a colorant package for any polymer. The first of these is the avoidance of any chemical incompatibility between the chemistry of the polymer and the chemistry of the colorant system. Chemical reactions proceed more rapidly at higher temperatures, and melt processing involves significantly elevated temperatures and large inputs of mechanical energy. Therefore, any chemical interactions that may occur between a polymer and a colorant system will happen very rapidly during the injection molding process.
The material supplier will incorporate a certain amount of the stabilization package in the material, making this the starting point for that material. It is now the processor’s job to handle the material during processing so that the molded part contains enough stabilizer to perform to the expectations of the end user. The molding process will always consume some amount of the antioxidant in the material. This is expected. But the amount of stabilizer that is consumed will depend upon the process conditions, most notably the melt temperature and the time the material spends in the molten state. Lower melt temperatures and shorter residence times will produce parts that retain a higher level of stabilization, and these parts will be more capable of handling the application environment. If melt temperatures become elevated or residence times become extended, the molded part will be less capable of managing the application demands.
Additives Supplier Categories
- Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing/Prototyping Materials)
- Antiblocking Agents
- Antioxidant Concentrates
- Fillers--Mineral or Other Inorganic Type
- Processing Aids--Other Organic Types
- Compatibilizers
- Thixotropic Agents
- Biocides
- Color Concentrates, Solid
- Color Concentrates, Liquid or Paste
- Plasticizers
- Processing Aids--Mineral/Inorganic Type
- Crosslinking Agents--Radiation Sensitizers
- Release Agents--External (Spray or Wipe-on)
- Flaw Repair Paint
- Odor Neutralizers
- Antioxidants
- Impact Modifiers
- UV Stabilizers
- Antiblocking Concentrates
- Surface Treatment Chemicals, Dispersion Aids (for Fillers, Pigments, Reinforcements)
- Degradation Promoters
- Reinforcements--Ceramic Fibers
- Metal Deactivators
- Reinforcements--Continuous Fiber Rovings, Tows, Yarns
- Core Materials
- Reinforcements--Carbon or Graphite Fiber
- Fillers--Organic Type
- Cooling-water Treatment Chemicals
- Reinforcements--Mineral Fiber
- Heat-Distortion Modifiers
- Stock Shapes--Rod, Tube
- Blowing Agents--Physical Type
- Reinforcements--Fabric, Mat, Veil, Felt
- Stock Shapes--Film
- Release Agents--Internal (Additive Type)
- Slip Agents
- Blowing Agents--Chemical Type
- Resin Clean-up Solutions
- Viscosity Depressants
- Reinforcements--Aramid Fiber
- Lubricant Concentrates
- Stripping Agents, Resin Removers
- Reinforcements--Nylon, PET or PP Fiber
- Surfactants
- Color Dyes, Pigments
- Purging Compounds
- Processing Aids--Polymeric Type
- Air Release Agents
- Antistat Concentrates
- Flame Retardant Concentrates
- Fillers--Microspheres (Hollow or Solid)
- Flame Retardants/Smoke Suppressants
- Nucleating/Clarifying Agents
- Conductive Additives
- Crosslinking Agents for Thermoplastics
- Blowing Agents--Concentrates
- Lubricants
- Slip Agent Concentrates
- Antifogging Agents
- Heat Stabilizers for PVC
- UV Stabilizer Concentrates
- Desiccant Additives
- Stock Shapes--Sheet
- Fragrance Additives
- Biodegradable, Photodegradable Resins and Compounds
- Reinforcements--UHMW-PE Fiber
- Reinforcements--Glass Fiber
- Antistats
- Reinforcements--Natural Fibers
- Reinforcements--Discontinuous Fibers (Chopped, Milled, Staple)
