Impact modifiers.

PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED

ARKEMA INC.

Metablen MBS impact modifiers for rigid PVC bottles, sheet, film, and injection molding. FDA-approved for food-grade PVC.

Metablen S weatherable silicone-acrylic impact modifiers for high-performance rigid PVC applications such as sheet, profiles, and injection molding. Metablen P acrylic processing aids used in any rigid PVC applications as well as flexible PVC.

Durastrength 200 weatherable acrylic impact modifier for rigid PVC siding, profiles, and injection molding.

Provides Series of Durastrength and Thermocel multifunctional systems used for weatherable rigid siding, profiles, and PVC foams.

BRENNTAG CANADA INC. PLASTICS & COLOR CONCENTRATES

Impact modifiers for polystyrene and polyolefin applications.

CHEMTURA CORP.

Blendex polymer modifier resins improve toughness and heat distortion in PVC and other polymers.

Blendex 338 ABS modifier exhibits good impact efficiency even at low temperatures. It provides toughness to opaque sheet, profile, electrical conduit, and injection molding compounds. Can also be used to minimize notch sensitivity of PCs and TP polyesters.

Blendix 415 impact modifier formulated for clear PVC applications has good impact performance, low stress-whitening characteristics and chemical resistance.

Blendix 131 ABS modifier imparts superior melt strength to flexible PVC and provides good melt mixing and fusion characteristics.

Blendix 703 alphamethylstyrene ABS modifier with high flow improves melt strength and processability and is especially useful in foamed PVC.

Blendex 586 poly(alphamethylstyreneSAN) modifier increasesheat distortion temperature of rigid PVC. Compatible with PVC at all concentrations.

DEXCO POLYMERS LP A DOW/EXXONMOBIL VENTURE

Provides SBS and SIS block copolymers for olefinic and styrenic thermoplastics, engineering resins, thermosets, and blends and alloys.

Proprietary technology allows production of block copolymers with virtually no diblock residuals. Diblock-free copolymers reportedly offer superior mechanical properties and color stability.

Certain grades of Vector SBCs are designed to be components of engineering resins. Others are tailored to overcome the deleterious effects of additives such as flame retardants. Vector products can also be used to compatibilize dissimilar plastics in alloys and blends.

THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY SPECIALTY PLASTICS & ELASTOMERS

Offers a variety of elastomers that can be used as impact modifiers. Included are Engage metallocene polyolefin elastomers (POEs), which can be used in PP and functionally grafted for use in engineering resins; Nordal IP EPDM, which functions as an impact modifier and low-profile additive in thermoset polyester SMC and BMC; and Tyrin CPE for use in weatherable PVC.

DSM COPOLYMER, INC.

Several types of elastomers for toughening thermoplastics include Keltan EPDM and EPR for polyolefins, and NYsyn NBR and Copo SBR products for styrenic thermoplastics. NYsynblak NBR black masterbatches are used as combination impact modifiers and black concentrates for ABS and nylon.

Keltan EPDMs range from semi-crystalline to amorphous types and from ultra-low to high Mooney viscosity. Oil-extended terpolymers available in high and ultra-high molecular weights for high-hardness applications and crosslinked thermoplastic elastomers. Also functionalized EPM products for toughening engineering thermoplastics. Most products available in pellet and bale form. Pelletized amorphous grades supplied in customized masterbatches.

Keltan DE291 pellets for applications requiring high flow and high-impact strength, particularly at low temperatures. PP homopolymer can be upgraded to impact-copolymer grade.

Keltan DE301 for applications requiring high flow and high modulus. This pelletized EPR is targeted at the TPO market and offers superior stiffness and good low temperature properties.

Patented ultra-low viscosity Keltan 1446A pelletized EPDM for use in curable sealants, caulk tapes and adhesives. Has superior surface finish, and improved processability and weatherability.

DUPONT PACKAGING & INDUSTRIAL POLYMERS

Company's toughening technologies involve ethylene terpolymers, ionomers, and grafted polyolefins.

Ethylene terpolymers provide impact resistance over a broad temperature range, particularly at low temperatures, for various thermoplastics. In thermoplastics, ethylene terpolymers improve impact resistance of PVC, ABS, SAN, SMA, and PC. In PVC they offer improved weatherability and easier processing resulting from a reduction in melt viscosity. Weatherability is also improved in ABS.

Surlyn ionomer resins provide low-temperature impact properties in nylon 6 and nylon 66. In TPOs, ionomers enhance abrasion resistance and palatability.

In reinforced PP and PE compounds, Fusabond anhydride-grafted polyolefin modifiers improve toughness by increasing adhesion between reinforcements and the resin matrix. Fusabond N anhydride-grafted EP rubbers provide superior toughening in 6 and 66 nylon.

EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO.

Epolene G-3003 and G-3015 function as coupling agents to improve impact strength in highly filled polymers such as polyolefins and nylon polymers.

ELKEM MATERIALS INC.

Amorphous silica used to partially or fully replace impact modifiers such as CPE or acrylics in PVC pipe. EMS-210 (gray) is used in several plastics, including PVC. EMS-210 replaces carbon black in gray PVC pipe. Product provides stiffness and impact strength enhancement as well as better dry-blend flow of PVC compounds.

EXPANCEL INC.

Expancel expandable thermoplastic microspheres used as blowing agents and low-density fillers also serve as impact modifiers for thermosets and elastomers. Resilient nature of spheres allows deformation without breakage, thereby improving impact resistance and reducing stress. In elastomeric materials, the resiliency of Expancel improves compatibility between filler and matrix material.

EXXONMOBIL CHEMICAL CO. POLYMERS GROUP

Exact polyolefin plastomer impact modifiers for PR PE, and styrenic block copolymers. Exxelor reactive polymers are functionally grafted polyolefins used for impact modifying engineering thermoplastics and polyolefins.

Exxpro specialty elastomers with bromine functionality are durable and weatherable. Provide impact enhancement in a number of different polymers for extreme environments.

Other impact modifiers include Escor acid terpolymers, lotek ionomers, and Optema ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA) polymers.

FIRESTONE POLYMERS, LLC 

Stereon block copolymers of styrene and butadiene are used for impact modification of thermoplastic resins. Stereon 721AC di-block copolymer is an effective grafting impact modifier for HIPS, ABS, and engineering resins and available in baled form. Stereon 842A pelletized multiblock linear copolymer is compoundable or dry-blended with PS, PP, or PE to improve impact, flexibility, and tear strength. Also can be used to upgrade regrind and provide impact improvement for recyclable plastics.

KANEKA TEXAS CORP.

MBS, ABS and acrylic impact modifiers for PVC and other thermoplastic polymers provide good clarity and stress-whitening characteristics. FM-10, 20 and 23 are weatherable modifiers. Also multiple blends (impact modifier and processing aids) for special applications such as foamed PVC and low-gloss products.

KRATON POLYMERS

SBS and SEBS/SEPS block copolymers for impact modification of PS, engineering thermoplastics, and multipolymer blends and alloys.

SBS Kraton D series of polymers modifies PS, PPE blends, and polyolefin blends. SEBS/ SEPS Kraton G polymer series impact modifies PP, PPE blends and PC. Functionalized SEBS Kraton G 1900X polymer series impact modifies polar engineering thermoplastics, especially polyamides and polyesters, and compatibilizes polar polymer with nonpolar olefinic polymers.

LANXESS CORP.

Baymod ABS powder modifiers for PVC include products for rigid indoor and exterior weatherable applications. They provide improved impact resistance and heat-distortion temperatures for PVC alloys used for injection molding and extrusion. Applications include business-machine housings, profile extrusions, and semi-flexible or rigid calendered thermoformable sheets.

Baymod EVA copolymers can be used as weatherable impact modifiers for rigid vinyl extrusions such as window profiles.

Levapren AVA copolymers act as "permanent plasticizers" for flexible compounds requiring improved extraction resistance and aging properties.

LEHIGH TECHNOLOGIES LLC

Manufactures PolyDyne family of impact modifiers, derived primarily from high-grade tire recycled feedstock. These fine and ultrafine SBR powders are designed for compounding a variety of olefinic and styrenic thermoplastic elastomers, as well as FRP, where they provide improvements in impact strength and ductility, as well as tensile, elongation and coefficient of friction. Grades with particle size of 75 micron, 106 micron, and 180 micron are available as are customized grades. Powders look and feel like carbon black but offer significant advantages and performance improvements over competing natural and synthetic grades.

MOMENTIVE PERFORMANCE MATERIALS INC.

Silane coupling agents, when used with reinforcements, can be improve impact strength, tensile strength, and other properties such as detergent resistance and dimensional stability.

NOVA POLYMERS, INC.

TPOs, TPRs, TPEs, and Novalast cured thermoplastic vulcanizate, which reportedly has excellent compression-set properties. Available in natural or black and various durometers.

Novalene TPO can be used as an impact modifier for PP and PE. Can raise Izod levels to no-break point, even at low temperatures. Used as a masterbatch to produce specialty TPOs and TPEs.

Novalar impact modifier for ABS, PVC, and PC increases impact strength and ductility, improves low temperature properties, and eliminates brittleness.

POLYCHEM ALLOY, INC.

Abust and Mebust pelletized ultra-low temperature impact modifiers for PBT, PC and nylons contain butadiene in excess of 65% and can easily be mixed with many high-temperature engineering resins. Products have less than 0.05% moisture and are free-flowing.

POLYVISIONS, INC.

Offers proTuff FDA impact modifier for PET where low-temperature impact is required. Available grades range from room temperature impact modification to sub-zero conditions.

RICON RESINS INC.

Ricon liquid 1,2-polybutadienes and 1,2 polybutadiene/styrene copolymers are low-temperature impact modifiers in polyolefins, styrenics, and TPEs. Also used as compatibilizers in various polymer alloys including polyolefins.

Ricacryl methacrylated polybutadienes can be used for uv curability, as well as adding functional activity. Ricobond maleinized polyhutadienes are functionalized adhesion promoters. Ricon low-molecular-weight liquid polybutadienes and SBRs for very lowTg plasticizers.

ROHM AND HAAS CO. PLASTICS ADDITIVES

Paraloid and Paraloid EXL all-acrylic and MBS impact modifiers for vinyl and other engineering resins.

Paraloid KM-300 series all-acrylic impact modifiers add toughness, color retention and weatherability to vinyls for long-term outdoor exposure. KM-390 includes processing aid. Paraloid KM-377 acrylic impact modifier can reduce gloss significantly. Specialized additives or processing is not necessary to attain a premium wood-like siding surface. Paraloid KM-377 will also narrow the variability in gloss due to processing variations.

Paraloid BTA-700 series MBS impact modifiers give superior toughness in non weatherable applications. BTA-730 offers high-impact efficiency with superior clarity and good resistance to crease whitening. BTA-751 gives maximum toughness at ambient or low temperature in general-purpose opaque vinyl and also for clear containers when using Paraloid HT-100 for heat resistance. BTA-753 adds high impact to opaque vinyl at ambient and low temperatures.

Paraloid EXL-3300 series acrylic tougheners are for weatherable applications of engineering resins requiring good color retention. EXL-3330 offers good inherent thermal stability, resistance to uv degradation, and balance of toughness. EXL-3361 gives enhanced thermal stability and good balance of properties including colorability.

Paraloid EXL-3600 series MBS tougheners for engineering resins give superior low-temperature impact resistance. EXL-3611 is a reactive toughener for nylon. EXL-3691A is a general-purpose toughener providing a balance of low-temperature impact resistance and modulus for engineering resins.

The Paraloid series of specialty and multifunctional additives are designed for adding only one product to the blending operation. Paraloid KM-388, Paraloid KM-390 and Paraloid KM-940 contain impact modifier and processing aids. Paraloid KM-388 designed to achieve a true low-gloss "wood look" in siding and other applications. Paraloid KM-390 provides a balance of process and gloss control and is used for a smooth, satin finish. Paraloid KM-940 is designed to meet the demands of high-rate extrusion and filler incorporation and will yield relatively high gloss.

Paraloid multifunctional additives are blended in a liquid state and isolated into powder as one product. This ensures accurate ratios of the components and consistent performance.

TOTAL PETROCHEMICALS USA, INC.

Finaprene styrenic block copolymers improve impact strength, elongation, and flexibility of PS, polyolefins, and ABS. Also enhance low-temperature properties of PP and increase tear and impact resistance of thin-gauge film. Products are heat-stable for rigorous processing.

ZEON CHEMICALS LP

Specialty synthetic rubbers include Nipol, DuoMod and Zealloy nitrile rubber (NBR), Zetpol hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), Hytemp polyacrylate (ACM), Hydrin epichlorohydrin (ECO) and Zeotherm thermoplastic vulcanizates.

Specific grades are tailored for use as impact modifiers, plasticizers, processing aids, and lubricants for flexible and rigid PVC, ABS, nylon, TPEs, blends/alloys, epoxies, and phenolics. Applications include calendered and extruded PVC, wire and cable, pipe, molded machine housings, aerospace and industrial composites, and friction products.