Impact modifiers.

AMOCO POLYMERS

Polybutenes improve impact resistance of ABS and thermoplastics such as crystal PS, high-impact PS, PP homopolymer and copolymer. Polybutenes are clear and heat-stable viscous polymers with little or no odor and available in a range of viscosities.

In ABS and PS, polybutenes can improve impact resistance and melt flow. When used in place of mineral oil, physical properties of PS are less affected and impact resistance is improved.

In modified PP and resin that has been modified with a TPE, polybutenes are said to dramatically improve impact resistance. Partial replacement of more expensive TPE may be possible.

BAKER RUBBER INC. (BRI)

Granulite ground rubber from recycled auto and truck tires in various particle sizes down to minus 80 mesh can be used as flexibilizers, anti-skid additives, extenders, and potentially as impact modifiers.

BAYER CORP.

Baymod ABS powder modifiers for PVC include products for both rigid indoor and exterior weatherable applications. 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, or as "permanent plasticizers" for flexible compounds requiring improved extraction resistance and aging properties. (See Insert pp. 485-516.)

DEXCO POLYMERS

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. Can also be used to compatibilize dissimilar plastics in alloys and blends.

DOW CHEMICAL CO.

See DuPont Dow Elastomers.

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. Reportedly has excellent surface finish, and improved processability and weatherability.

DUPONT CO.

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 6,6. In TPOs, ionomers enhance abrasion resistance and paintability.

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 excellent toughening in 6 and 6,6 nylon.

DUPONT DOW ELASTOMERS L.L.C.

Joint venture between Dow Chemical and DuPont offers a variety of elastomers that can be used as impact modifiers. Examples are Tyrin CPE for use in weatherable PVC and Engage metallocene-catalyzed ethylene-octene elastomers, which can be used in PP and functionally grafted for use in engineering resins. Both were formerly supplied by Dow Plastics. From DuPont comes Nordel EPDM and Viton FreeFlow fluoroelastomer. Nordel functions as both an impact modifier and lowprofile additive in thermoset polyester SMC and BMC. Viton FreeFlow is an additive to increase throughput in polyolefin manufacturing.

ELF ATOCHEM NORTH AMERICA 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.

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

ELKEM MATERIALS INC.

Amorphous silica used to partially or fully replace impact modifiers such as CPE or acrylics in PVC pipe. Two grades - EMS-210 (gray) and EMS-211D (white) - are used in several plastics, including PVC. EMS-210 replaces carbon black in gray PVC pipe.

Both silica products provide stiffness and impact strength enhancement as well as better dry-blend flow of PVC compounds. Higher filler loadings have been achieved.

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.

EXXON CHEMICAL CO.

Exact polyolefin plastomer impact modifiers for PP, PE, and styrenic block copolymers. Exxelor reactive polymers are functionally grafted polyolefins used for impact modifying engineering thermoplastics and polyolefins. Can also be used as coupling agents in reinforced polyolefin blends.

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, Iotek ionomers, and Optema ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA) polymers.

FINA OIL & CHEMICAL CO.

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 easy to blend and heat-stable for rigorous processing.

FIRESTONE POLYMERS

Stereon block copolymers of styrene and butadiene used for impact modification of thermoplastic resins. Stereon 721A and 730A are effective in HIPS, ABS, and engineering resins and available in baled form. Stereon 840A pelletized multiblock copolymer is 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 degradable plastics.

GE SPECIALTY CHEMICALS

Blendex polymer modifier resins improve toughness and heat distortion in PVC and other polymers. Also Blendex color concentrate carriers and processing aids.

Blendex 338 ABS modifier reportedly has superior impact efficiency even at low temperatures. 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.

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

Blendex 131 ABS modifier reportedly imparts excellent melt strength to flexible PVC and has good melt mixing and fusion characteristics.

Blendex 703 alphamethylstyrene ABS modifier with high flow improves melt strength and processability. Especially useful in foamed PVC.

Blendex 586 poly (alphamethylstyrene-SAN) modifier increases heat distortion temperature of rigid PVC. Compatible with PVC at all concentrations.

KANEKA TEXAS CORP.

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

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 the no-breaking point, even at very low temperatures. Also 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.

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.

Ricopoxy epoxidized polybutadienes can be used to add epoxy functionality. Ricacryl acrylated and methacrylated polybutadienes can be used for uv curability, as well as adding functional activity. Ricobond maleinized polybutadienes are functionalized adhesion promoters. Ricon low-molecular-weight liquid polybutadienes and SBRs are used as very low-[T.sub.g] plasticizers.

ROHM AND HAAS CO.

Paraloid all-acrylic and MBS impact modifiers for vinyl and other engineering resins, plus a line of related specialty modifiers.

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 nonweatherable 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. 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.

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

Paraloid EXL 5375 acrylic concentrate improves impact and nucleation of C-PET dual-ovenable trays.

SAFR COMPOUNDS CORP.

Safr-EPS K low-cost impact modifier for ABS, PS, and rigid PVC, as well as a compatibilizer for olefin/styrene blends.

SHELL CHEMICAL CO.

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 G1900X polymer series impact modifies polar engineering thermoplastics, especially polyamides and polyesters, and compatibilizes polar polymers with nonpolar olefinic polymers.

UNIROYAL CHEMICAL CO., INC.

Grafted EPDM modifiers include Royaltuf 465 and 485 (maleic anhydride grafted) for all types of nylon. Also compatibilizes nylon/PP blends and commingled recycle mixes of polar and nonpolar polymers. Royaltuf 372P20 SAN-grafted EPDM is a weatherable impact modifier for PC, PC alloys, and SAN. Royaltuf 330 SAN-grafted EPDM is a weatherable impact modifier for PBT and increases HDT with minimum reduction in stiffness.

Polybond grafted polyolefins improve impact and strength properties by chemically coupling glass fiber and other fillers in reinforced PP and PE compounds. Polybond 1001 and 1002 (acrylic acid-grafted PP) and Polybond 3002, 3150, and 3200 (maleic anhydride-grafted PP) are used in reinforced PP. Polybond 1009 (acrylic acid-grafted HDPE) and Polybond 3009 (maleic anhydride grafted PE) are used in reinforced PE. They also compatibilize PP/nylon blends and commingled recycle mixes of polar and nonpolar resins. (See ads pp. 333, 364.)

WITCO CORP. ORGANOSILICONES GROUP

(Formerly OSi Specialties) Silane coupling agents, when used with reinforcements, can improve impact strength, tensile strength, and other properties such as detergent resistance and dimensional stability.

ZEON CHEMICALS, INC.

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

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.