Colorants & additives make a splash at NPE 2003.Molders, extruders, and compounders found a host of new additives, including colorants, compatibilizers, impact modifiers, foaming agents, and processing aids. Additives that enhance the appearance, processing, and mechanical performance of plastics made their debut last month at NPE NPE NullPointerException (Java) NPE Network Processing Engine NPE National Policy on Education NPE National Plastics Exposition NPE Natural Penis Enlargement NPE Nutrition Program for the Elderly 2003 in Chicago. New entries ranged from specialty colorants to novel nanoclay concentrates and unique compatibilizers for producing high-performance PP alloys. Attendees also found a variety of new processing aids, lubricants, and mold releases. Four companies featured new offerings for impact modification of polyolefins, polystyrene, and engineering thermoplastics. Other new additives include nucleating and foaming agents, PVC PVC: see polyvinyl chloride. PVC in full polyvinyl chloride Synthetic resin, an organic polymer made by treating vinyl chloride monomers with a peroxide. heat stabilizers, antioxidants, and flame retardants. 'Special-effect' colors There was a good showing of new colorant col·or·ant n. Something, especially a dye, pigment, ink, or paint, that colors or modifies the hue of something else. adj. Of or being a subtractive primary color. offerings, with "special-effect" types at center stage. Teknor Color Co. introduced Magic Color Concentrates, which use the Variocrom "color-variable" pigments developed by BASF BASF Bar Association of San Francisco (since 1872; San Francisco, California) BASF Badische Anilin und Soda Fabrik (German chemical products company) BASF Builders Association of South Florida Corp. These pigments confer iridescent, multi-color effects that shift with the angle of lighting and viewing (see cover photo). Custom formulations are available for use with PE, PP, PS, PC, and ABS. Standard colors available include red, green, gold, purple, violet, blue, autumn, purple-green, and green-gold. Special-effect colorants launched by Calsak Polymers & Colorants include metallic-flake colors for all thermoplastics (see cover photo) and marble colors for polyolefins and styrenics. Also new are granite colorants for any thermoplastic with HDT HDT Heat Deflection Temperature (plastics) HDT High Dose Therapy HDT Heatpipe Direct Touch (Xigmatek) HDT Heat Distortion Temperature (plastics) HDT Henry David Thoreau up to 500 F, and pearl colors for styrenics, polyolefins, acetal acetal /ac·e·tal/ (as´e-t'l) 1. any of a class of organic compounds formed by combination of an aldehyde molecule and two alcohol molecules. 2. , PC, and nylon. Milliken Chemical showcased its recently introduced ClearTint colorants for PP. They produce bright, clean, transparent colors (also shown on the cover). Polymer Color showcased custom "Clear View" color concentrates with built-in clarifying properties based on Milliken technology. They are said to make most homopolymer PP resemble clarified PP. The company is also offering new "smell, taste, and sight" concentrates for thermoplastics. These combine color, aroma, and even taste effects for uses ranging from novelty items and packaging to dental mouthguards. Engelhard showed a new mica-based non-metallic pigment that brings a luxurious metallic gold effect to molded or extruded plastics. Lumina Brass pigment features higher chromaticity, color purity, brightness, and hiding power than traditional nonmetallic non·me·tal·lic adj. 1. Not metallic. 2. Chemistry Of, relating to, or being a nonmetal. Adj. 1. brass colorants. Shepherd Color Co. featured a new sparkle and luster pigment technology that's based on silver-coated glass flakes. The perfectly flat glass-flake substrate is said to maximize reflectivity re·flec·tiv·i·ty n. pl. re·flec·tiv·i·ties 1. The quality of being reflective. 2. The ability to reflect. 3. , so that visual effects can be achieved at lower loading than with other special-effects pigments, the company claims. More specialty colorants Also noteworthy are new color concentrates for TPEs, specialty carbon blacks, and new liquid colorant technology. From Teknor Color comes a new line of color concentrates for use with TPOs, TPVs, and most other olefinic and styrenic TPEs. Teklite TPE TPE Thermoplastic Elastomer TPE Terminal de Paiement Electronique (French) TPE Total Power Exchange TPE Twisted Pair Ethernet TPE Tampines Expressway (Singapore) TPE Therapeutic Plasma Exchange concentrates have a special polyethylene carrier. Standard grades include blue, green, red, yellow, black, and white. Typical letdown ratios are 50:1(2%) for all colors except black, which is 100:1 (1%). Applications include "soft-touch" grips, handles, and other components of housewares, appliances, hand and power tools, office devices, and personal-care products. Cabot Corp. showcased new Black Pearls 3030, 4040, and 4060 carbon blacks for use in film masterbatches. Also on hand were two new high-performance conductive carbon blacks. Vulcan XC605 boasts excellent conductivity, surface smoothness, stiffness, dispersability and impact strength. Vulcan XC305 is said to provide a good cost-performance ratio for less demanding ESD (1) (Electronic Software Distribution) Distributing new software and upgrades via the network rather than individual installations on each machine. See ESL. applications. Elftex P100, a carbon black for pressure pipe, is also new from Cabot. It boasts an improved balance of particle size, uv protection, moisture absorption, purity; and dispersability. Degussa Engineered Carbons launched the Arosperse line of carbon blacks. Grades range from a very small particle size for uv protection of cable jacketing and geomembranes to a very large particle size that is said to produce very smooth surfaces of thin membranes and molded goods. Finally, ColorMatrix showed off its new liquid colors and metering systems for extrusion and molding. Novel additives debut One of the more unusual additive introductions at the show was a family of nanoclay concentrates from PolyOne Corp. The result of a strategic alliance with nanoclay producer Nanocor Inc., Arlington Heights, Ill., these concentrates contain ultra-fine particles, roughly 1110,000th the diameter of a human hair, that impart stiffness, fire resistance, and' gas barrier at a fraction of the loadings required with traditional fillers. Some of the concentrates incorporate other functional additives, such as flame retardants and uv stabilizers, targeted at markets such as film and automotive or appliance parts. Another interesting development is Crompton Corp.'s introduction of its first two Interloy compatibilizers. They are based on in-reactor PP alloy technology acquired from Basell that was previously used to make Hivalloy resins. This technology allows for the production of high-performance PP compounds and alloys with improved appearance and physical characteristics. Interloy P1O85HQ1 is a PP/PS graft copolymer that can compatibilize SEBS with PP in order to produce very high-impact blends. Interloy W1095H1 is a PP/PMMA graft copolymer that gives PP added gloss, weatherability, and scratch/mar resistance. Smoother and slicker Several new processing aids, lubricants, and mold releases were featured at the show. As reported previously, Dyneon brought out Dynamar FX 9614X and FX 5822X, two new fluoropolymer A fluoropolymer is a polymer that contains atoms of fluorine. It is characterized by a high resistance to solvents, acids, and bases. Fluoropolymers were discovered serendipitously in 1938 by Dr. Roy J. Plunkett. processing aids for polyolefins (see PT, May '03, p. 98). They are said to offer significantly better performance than their predecessors-FX 9613 and FX 5920A-thereby allowing lower use levels and cost savings. A processing-aid concentrate for unreinforced nylon 66 is new from DuPont. Containing a proprietary fluoropolymer in a nylon 66 carrier, Zytel FE310014 is said to cut cyde time and improve mold release of complex parts at a typical letdown of around 2%. Croda Universal featured its new IncroMold line of internal mold releases for injection molding. Croda also added two new grades to its Incroslip line of novel slip additives for modifying the torque-release properties of plastic do sums. Also new is Crodamide VRX VRX Virtual Resources Executive VRX Voice Receive Mode , a new vegetable-based oleamide that is said to combine fast slip performance with excellent thermal stability. Reedy reed·y adj. reed·i·er, reed·i·est 1. Full of reeds. 2. Made of reeds. 3. Resembling a reed, especially in being thin or fragile: International introduced a new and improved series of proprietary Saftec lubricant blends that are said to improve the foamability of highly filled wood, glass-fiber, or wollastonite wol·las·ton·ite n. A white to gray mineral, essentially CaSiO3, found in metamorphic rocks and used in ceramics, paints, plastics, and cements. [After William Hyde Wollaston. composites for applications such as fencing, decking, and flooring. Saftec WSD WSD Word Sense Disambiguation (computational linguistics) WSD Web Services on Devices (Information Technology) WSD Water Supplies Department (Hong Kong) is an internal lubricant blend that is said to facilitate processing of highly filled polyolefins and PVC. It reportedly enables processing at higher temperatures without degradation or discoloration. It is said to act like a processing aid, allowing for higher extrusion rates with excellent surface finish. Reedy's new Saftec WLB WLB Weak-Side Linebacker (pro football) WLB Buoy Tender, Seagoing (USCGC) WLB Weapons Logbook WLB Wireless Builder WLB Wan Load Balancer WLB Web Load Balance Edge 100 is an external lubricant blend that is said to prevent edge tear and melt fracture in films. Formulated to improve filler wetting, it is said to improve mixing, reduce viscosity, and permit lower process temperatures. It boasts excellent metal release at low use levels (up to 1%). Axel Plastics Research Laboratories brought out three new products-Xtend 825 semi-permanent mold release for RTM (1) (RealTime Model) Refers to a system or architecture that performs operations in real time. See real time. (2) (Release/Released To M thermoset A polymer-based liquid or powder that becomes solid when heated, placed under pressure, treated with a chemical or via radiation. The curing process creates a chemical bond that, unlike a thermoplastic, prevents the material from being remelted. See thermoplastic. composites; MoldWiz INT-1117EL processing aid for TPO (Twisted Pair Only) Refers to the use of twisted pair wire when other options are available. For example, a TPO suffix at the end of 3com Ethernet adapter model numbers indicates the card has only an RJ45 connector. , TPU TPU - Text Processing Utility , and other TPEs; and MoldWiz INT-38HM processing aid for nylon and other engineering resins (for details, see PT, May '03, p. 98). They can take a punch New impact modifiers for uses ranging from polyolefins to styrenics were introduced by four companies. After having initially focused its Engage ethylene-octene polyolefin elastomers on automotive TPOs, DuPont Dow Elastomers has developed five new ethylene-butene grades for modifying a broader range of polyolefin materials in non-automotive uses. Field tests show promising results in applications ranging from foams, tubing, and extruded profiles to pet carriers, tool cases, footwear, and wire/cable. These grades are commercially available from the company's new 300-million-lb/yr plant in Plaquemine, La. The new product slate complements the higher performance Engage octene grades by offering grades that are less expensive and easier to process. For example, ENX ENX European Network Exchange ENX Eneighborhoods Document (File Extension) ENX E-Neighborhoods Document 7467, a 1 MI, 0.6783 g/cc density butene bu·tene n. Any of several forms of butylene. butene See butylene. Noun 1. butene - any of three isomeric hydrocarbons C4H8; all used in making synthetic rubbers grade, is a higher-performance, easier-toprocess product said to provide good impact properties in TPO at the typical 20-80% use levels. It also toughens PP and HDPE HDPE abbr. high-density polyethylene at 10-20% addition levels. Also claiming improved processing is ENX 7458, a 2.5 MI, 0.863 g/cc butene grade. Its patented broad molecular-weight distribution makes it well suited for PP and HDPE modification and is aimed at wire and cable as well as large-part and/or thin-wall applications such as bumper fascia and cladding. New Engage ENX 7380 is a 0.8 MI, 0.870 g/cc, 45 Mooney, butene grade with enhanced toughness, improved melt strength, and higher molecular weight that allows it to serve as an extender for SEBS as well as a blending component with PP. Engage ENX 7447 is a 5-MI, 0.865-g/cc, high-flow butene grade for modifying PP and HDPE. ENX 7270 is a 0.8 MI, 0.880 g/cc grade that is said to provide a good cost/performance balance in impact modification of PP, TPO, and HDPE. Engage ENX 8556 is a new ethylene-octene grade of 2 MI and 0.870 g/cc that is said to provide excellent processability and clarity in extrusion applications. Meanwhile, PolyChem Alloy introduced its new family of pelletized, ultra-low-temperature (<-131 F) MBS See Mb/sec. MBS - mobile broadband services and ABS impact modifiers for use in PBT PBT Provider Backbone Transport (networking technology adding determinism to ethernet) PBT Polybutylene Terephthalate PBT Profit Before Tax PBT Paper Based Test (education) , PC, PC/PBT, and nylon (PT, May '03, p. 99). South Korea's LG Chemical showcased its new Luprene transparent SBS See Small Business Server. elastomer, which is said to provide excellent impact toughness to PS while maintaining transparency. For toughening styrenic resins, Maine Plastics, Inc. featured new impact modifiers made from recycled tires. Plenty of fizz in CBAs Several new nucleating and foaming agent concentrates were introduced by Reedy International, PolyChem Alloy, and Bergen International. Reedy's new Saftec line of nucleating and foaming agents combine the company's endothermic endothermic /en·do·ther·mic/ (-ther´mik) characterized by or accompanied by the absorption of heat. en·do·ther·mic or en·do·ther·mal adj. 1. chemical blowing agents (CBAs) with surfactants that improve melt flow and melt strength. The line includes Saftec TFPE-504, a medium-temperature olefinic masterbatch that generates high gas volume for HDPE structural foam and extrusion. Another is TMIC-40A, a high-temperature polyolefin masterbatch designed for microcellular film and ribbon. TFP-940 is a styrenic masterbatch with an elevated melting point that allows higher processing temperatures and avoids agglomeration ag·glom·er·a·tion n. 1. The act or process of gathering into a mass. 2. A confused or jumbled mass: problems. Reedy also unveiled several new additions to its Safoam line of CBA See Capital Builder Account. masterbatches. PC-20 is for PC and PC/ABS PC/ABS Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene blends where high drying temperature is required, while RPC-20AS is said to eliminate staining and. browning with flame retardants processed at high temperatures. Also new is Safoam PVC5O-FP for PVC injection molding that is said to eliminate delamination delamination /de·lam·i·na·tion/ (de-lam?i-na´shun) separation into layers, as of the blastoderm. de·lam·i·na·tion n. 1. A splitting or separation into layers. 2. and to provide a superior surface finish. For microcellular foams, Reedy launched a new Safoam series of 3-micron particle-size CBAs. The five products provide density reduction of 3% to 50%, depending on the wall thickness. Safoam FPN FPN Fixed Pattern Noise (variation of the pixel response at one moment of an image sensor in the dark) FPN Fixed Penalty Notice (UK law enforcement) FPN Fundación Patagonia Natural FPN Fine Print Note 3 is a powder with special surfactants for PS resins. FPN3-20 is a styrenic masterbatch of FPN3 powder for applications requiring only a little foaming. FPN340 is a companion product for applications that require greater density reduction. Safoam RIC-FP is a powder with special surfactants formulated for polyolefins and RIC-50FP is an olefinic masterbatch of RIC-FP powder. Both are designed for low processing temperatures. Meanwhile, Bergen International introduced Foamazol 62, an endothermic CBA for injection molding of high-shrink resins such as PP. This additive's internal foaming pressure is said to allow processors to demold parts earlier and to reduce cycle time while preventing sinks. It is available in pelletized masterbatches for PP, ABS, PS, PE, and other resins. A completely different foaming principle is embodied in PolyChem Alloy's new PolyFoam Expancel MB, a polyolefin masterbatch of polymeric microspheres that contain a liquid hydrocarbon. (The spheres come from Expancel Inc.) When heated, the microspheres soften, and the vaporizing hydrocarbon causes them to expand, swelling the compound. Because it is encapsulated, the expanding gas cannot escape from the molten PE, PP, or TPO during extrusion or molding. This product therefore facilitates production of a homogeneous distribution of fine closed cells. It is targeted for wire and cable and shoe soles. Expancel itself is also marketing a new pelletized form of its micro-spheres for easier use in extrusion and molding. Also new is Expancel 098 MB 120, a grade that boasts higher temperature resistance. Stabilizing PVC Crompton Corp. showcased a number of new and improved PVC heat stabilizers, such as its Mark LowPhenol 9300 Series, designed to improve indoor air quality Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) deals with the content of interior air that could affect health and comfort of building occupants. The IAQ may be compromised by microbial contaminants (mold, bacteria), chemicals (such as carbon monoxide, radon), allergens, or any mass or energy stressor by reducing phenol emissions from vinyl wall and floor coverings. These mixed-metal products include Mark 9301 Ba/Zn, said to give excellent initial color hold and long-term stability in calendered cal·en·der n. A machine in which paper or cloth is made smooth and glossy by being pressed through rollers. tr.v. cal·en·dered, cal·en·der·ing, cal·en·ders wall coverings, and both Mark 9302 and 9303 Ba/Zn for general-purpose filled compounds. Other grades are Mark 9304 Ba/Zn for clear or filled g-p compounds; 9305 Ba/Zn for plastisol clear wear layers on flooring; and 9306 Ca/Zn for clear and lightly filled calendering calendering, a finishing process by which paper, plastics, rubber, or textiles are pressed into sheets and smoothed, glazed, polished, or given a moiré or embossed surface. , molding, and extrusion. (Other new stabilizers from Crompton at the show are aimed at window profiles, pipe, and wire/cable--see PT, March'03, p. 27; June '03, p. 28.) Other news in additives There was also scattered news at the show in a variety of other additives: * Flame retardants: Techmer PM featured two new non-halogen FR concentrates. PM 9368E12 is a black MDPE MDPE Medium Density Polyethylene MDPE Mobile Dual-Phase Extraction (technique for environmental cleaning) MDPE Mobile Dual-Phase Extraction (USA) MDPE Maximum Permissible Dose Equivalent grade for wire and cable insulation. It is said to achieve a minimum LOI LOI Letter of Indemnity (international trade and carriage business) LOI Letter Of Intent LOI Loss On Ignition LOI Letter of Inquiry LOI Lack Of Information LOI Lack of Interest LOI Letter of Invitation LOI List Of Items of 31 and to have outstanding heat stability. PM 1250E4 is aimed at foamed LDPE LDPE abbr. low-density polyethylene acoustical and thermal insulation panels used in aircraft. * Antifog agents: Also new from Techmer is PM 11119E4, an improved antifog additive for LL/LDPE and HDPE food wrap and agricultural film. * Fillers: Heritage Plastics launched Minapol Additive Technology, a new complete line of mineral concentrates for specific polyolefin applications. Typically used at concentrations of 10% to 40%, they reportedly can reduce material costs by 1 Cents to 3 Cents/lb. They also add stiffness and speed heat removal from the melt. HM-10 Max is 80% calcium carbonate in LLDPE LLDPE Linear Low Density Polyethylene . It's said to maximize physical properties and productivity in PE film extrusion and to reduce cycle time in HDPE blow molding while meeting drop-impact and top-load requirements. HiCal concentrates 80% mineral in PP. They are said to provide a cost-effective alternative to filled PP compounds for injection molding. PolyCal EC is an LDPE mineral concentrate used to enhance polymer adhesion and increase line speed in LDPE extrusion coating. * Antioxidants: Crompton showed its new Naugard 900 Series of phenolic phe·no·lic adj. Of, relating to, containing, or derived from phenol. n. Any of various synthetic thermosetting resins, obtained by the reaction of phenols with simple aldehydes and used as adhesives. antioxidant/thermal-stabilizer blends that reportedly offer greatly improved protection of black glass-filled PP products such as battery cases. * Antistats: Tomen America featured its new Pelestat permanent anti-static additives based on nylon or polyolefin with special polyether pol·y·e·ther n. A polymer in which the repeating unit contains two carbon atoms linked by an oxygen atom. segments. They are said to form a conductive polymer matrix in the host thermoplastic. * Multifunctional: Some harder-to-classify new additives include Cabot Corp.'s Nanogel hydrophobic silica aerogels, which can be used as carriers, thickeners, thixotropes, and matting agents. Bayshore Industrial, div. of ICO ICO Icon (File Name Extension) ICO In Case Of ICO Information Commissioner's Office (UK) ICO Instituto de Crédito Oficial (Spain: Official Credit Institute) Polymers, has a new MasterSeries line of proprietary additive concentrates for polyolefins. These include antiblock, slip, process aids, antioxidants, mineral filler, and various multifunctional products. NEED TO KNOW MORE? Axel Plastics Research Laboratories, Inc. Woodside, N.Y. (800) 332-2935 www.axelplastics.com BASF Corp., Colorants and Additives Rensselaer, N.Y. (518) 472-8300 www.basf.com Bayshore Industrial, sub. of ICO Polymers LaPorte, Texas (281) 867-3000 www.icoinc.com Bergen International, Rochelle Park, N.J. (201) 909-3767 www.bergeninternational.com Cabot Corp. Billerica, Mass. (800) 462-2313 www.cabot-corp.com Calsak Polymers & Colorants Compton, Calif. (310) 637-2000 www.calsak.com ColorMatrix Corp. Cleveland (216) 622-0100 www.colormatrix.com Croda Universal Inc. Parsippany, N.J. (973) 644-4900 www.crodausa.com Crompton Corp. Middlebury, Conn. (203) 573-2000 www.cromptoncorp.com Degussa Corp. Parsippany, NJ. (800) 334-8772 www.degussa.com DuPont Engineering Polymers Wilmington, Del. (800)441-0575 www.plastics.dupont.com Dyneon Oakdale, Minn. (651) 733-5353 www.dyneon.com Engelhard Corp., Dayton, N.J. (800) 631-9505 www.engelhard.com Expancel Inc. Duluth, Ga. (770) 813-9126 www.expancel.com Heritage Plastics Picayune, Miss. (800) 245-4623 www.heritage-plastics.com LG Chemical America Inc. Engelwood Cliffs, N.J. (201) 816-2311 www.lgchem.com Maine Plastics, N. Chicago, Ill. (847) 473-3553 www.maineplastics.com Milliken Chemical Spartanburg, S.C. (864) 503-2772 www.millikenchemical.com PolyChem Alloy, Inc. Lenoir, N.C. (828) 754-7570 www.polychemalloy.com Polymer Color Services Easley, S.C. (864) 859-4777 www.polymercolor.com PolyOne Corp. Avon Lake, Ohio Avon Lake is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The population was 18,145 at the 2000 census. Geography Avon Lake is located at (41.501595, -82.006309). (440) 930-1000 www.polyone.com Reedy International Corp. Keyport, N.J. (800) 588-1777 www.reedyintl.com Riverdale Color Perth Amboy, N.J. (732) 376-9300 www.riverdalecolor.com Shepherd Color Co. Cincinnati (513) 874-0714 www.shepherdcolor.com Techmer PM Clinton, Tenn. (423) 457-6700 www.techmerpm.com Teknor Color Co. Pawtucket, R.I. (401) 725-8000 www.teknorcolor.com Tomen America Inc. New York, N.Y. (212) 827-4600 www.tomenamerica.com RELATED ARTICLE: New Liquid-Color Pump Handles Short Runs Riverdale Color exhibited its new Pump-in-a-Pail liquid-color metering device, It mirrors the company's Pump-in-a-Drum equipment, except that this model is designed to meter from 7-gal pails. Pump-in-a-Pail is aimed at processors with short runs or who wish to feed each processing machine from its own separate pail rather than from a common drum. |
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