Additive Blooming: Origins, Detection, and Control in Polymer Processing

Most polymers contain many non-polymeric components intended to stabilize, toughen, color and lubricate the final product. Certain classes of these additives are capable of migrating to the surface. This additive migration can create a surface that has a composition very different from the bulk of the polymer. If the manufacturing process includes an interface between the polymer and an adhesive or paint, or in the case of a medical device, contact with human tissues, additive migration to the surface (blooming) can have serious consequences. Blooming represents a form of contamination that can result in adhesive or paint failures or worse. 

Primary Topics: 
- The origins of blooming 
- Common additives that are subject to blooming 
- Strategies for detecting, controlling, and avoiding issues associated with blooming 

Presenter: Giles Dillingham 
Dr. Giles Dillingham has worked in the areas of surfaces, interfaces, and adhesive bonding for 30 years. After earning a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Cincinnati, he worked in the Advanced Composites laboratory of the Dow Chemical Company developing surface treatments for aerospace applications. Later as Technical Director of HiTech Polymers he oversaw development of thermoplastic blends and fiber reinforced composites. Returning to the University of Cincinnati he worked on plasma processing of materials and adhesive bonding of advanced composites. He incorporated BTG Labs during this time and has been growing the company full-time since 2001.