This document discusses various types of additives used in polymer processing and their functions. It describes additives like stabilizers, lubricants, plasticizers, fillers, fibers, coupling agents, antistatic agents, slip agents, anti-block agents, nucleating agents, optical brighteners, colorants, anti-aging additives, impact modifiers, flame retardants, blowing agents, and master batches. It provides examples and explains how each additive type alters polymer properties or facilitates processing to achieve the desired characteristics in final products.

1. WELCOME

2. ADDITIVES Polymers unsuitable for processing in pure unmodified form e.g. Polyolefins – Oxidative degradation due to heat and pressure during processing PVC - Degradation at processing temperature

3. ADDITIVES Any Substance that is added generally in small concentration to resins in order to : Alter their properties Facilitate processing Change the physical, chemical or electrical properties of end products. Reduce the cost

4. Requirements of Additives Effectiveness in their function Stable under processing conditions Stable under service conditions Economic Compatibility with Polymer Matrix At molecular level Neither Volatile nor extrude to the surface Neither bleed nor bloom Must have low vapour pressure at high temperature Non Hazardous, non impart taste & odour

5. CLASSIFICATION Plasticizer Reinforcing filler Toughening Agents Modify Bulk Mechanical Properties Fillers Diluents & extenders Reduce Cost Processing Stabilizer Lubricants - External Lubricants - Internal Assist Processing

6. CLASSIFICATION UV Absorbers Fungicides Anti-Ageing Blowing Agents Flame Retarders Others Nucleating Agents Colorants Optical Properties Modifier Antistatic Anti Slip Anti wear Anti block Adhesion Promoters Surface Properties Modifier

7. Processing Stabilizers Prevent degradation which is caused by Heat Oxygen What Happens ? Oxygen combines with Polymer under high temp to form carbonyl compounds which leads to yellow & brown discolouration.

8. Processing Stabilizers Primary Stabilizers – Antioxidants Secondary Stabilizers – Peroxide decomposes Chelating Agents – Metal deactivators Special Stabilizers (Heat Stabilizers) – for halogenated polymers

9. Antioxidants ( Primary Stabilizer ) They inhibit or retard the oxidative degradation of materials at normal or elevated temperature during processing, storage or service due to Heat Light Chemical Induction How it works? It interrupt the chain reaction by combining with the free radicals forming a non reactive products (Amount : 0.1 – 0.5%)

10. Effect of Oxidation Loss in Tensile Properties Discolouration i.e. yellowing, Increase in Brittleness Melt Flow Instability Change in appearance. Hardness increases. Loss of Gloss. loss of transparency. Cracking. Hindered Phenols or Aromatic Amines

11. Secondary Stabilizer – Peroxide decomposes How it works? Peroxides are reduced to alcohols & are deactivated. EX: Sulphur & Phosphorus Compounds such as Sulphides, thioethers, tertiary phosphites & phosphorates.

12. Chelating Agents – Metal Deactivators Prevent degradation by metal ions (impurities in polymers – ziegler-natta redox initiators, fillers, pigments etc.) EX: Organic Phosphines & Phosphites Higher Nitrogenated compounds – Melamine, diamine etc

13. Heat Stabilizers Prevent Degradation Absorb & Neutralize HCl gas evolved Prevent Oxidation reactions Prevent Discolouration Displace active substituents with stable substituents

14. Heat Stabilizers Lead Tri Basic Lead Sulphate (TBLS) Dibasic Lead Sulphate (DBLS) Basic Lead Carbonate Dibasic Lead Phosphite Organo-tin Dibutyltin meleates Dibutyltin bis mercaptides Cadmium / Barium /Zinc Cadmium/Barium laurates Cadmium/Barium/Zinc Complexes

15. Synergistic Stabilizer Systems The term Synergism is used to describe the combined effect of two or more stabilizers, which is greater than the sum of the effects of the individual stabilizers used in isolation. Effect (A+B) > Effect A + Effect B

16. Lubricants or Flow Promoters Functions :- To reduce friction between the material and the processing equipment. ( Adhesive forces) To reduce heat & wear between two surfaces either between the polymer molecules ( Cohesive forces) or between the polymeric material and the equipment. Reduces thermal degradation of the polymer. Modifies flow characteristics. Homogenous the polymer melt with other polymer additives. To prevent the plastic from sticking to the mould surface during processing

17. Lubricants or Flow Promoters External Lubricants Internal Lubricants

18. External Lubricants Prevent friction between polymer melt & metal surface Prevent sticking to the metal parts They are usually high molecular compounds and have non-polar groups. They have low compatibility with the polymer but have high affinity for the metal surface. During processing they form a thin film between polymer melt & metal surface. They improve surface finish & gloss. They help to reduce melt viscosity and give a high output rate.

19. External Lubricants Metal Soaps Metal Stearates Zinc Stearates Calcium Stearates Magnesium Stearates Hydrocarbon waxes Stearic Acid & its calcium, lead, Ba, Cd Salt, Hydro carbon & Esters

20. Internal Lubricants Promotes Flow by reducing cohesive forces between molecular interfaces within the resin They are usually low molecular weight compounds, having polar groups. They function by reducing intra-molecular friction before and during the melt formation of the polymer by promoting flow and reducing melt viscosity of the polymeric mass. They also enhance polymer properties like heat stability, impact strength, colour & clarity.

21. Internal Lubricants Amine Waxes Ester Derivatives Glyceryl mono stearate Long chain esters Fatty Acids & Amides Ethylene bi stear amide Zinc Stearates

22. Selection of Lubricants Metal Soaps – Low Compatibility with polymer, so used as external lubricants Long Chain Fatty Acids – Used as Internal Lubricants for polar polymers. Long Chain di-alkyl esters – Medium compatibility, so act as external & internal lubricants. High Molecular weight paraffin wax – low compatibility with polar polymer, so used as external lubricants.

23. Plasticizers or softeners Improve process ability by reducing T g These are high boiling non-volatile solvents Polar with a high Mol. Wt. ester type organic compounds. Reduce internal friction between polymer chain.

24. Effect of Plasticizers Easy melt Improve flexibility Increase Softness and Flexibility. Improve Process ability. Alters Softening point, Tensile Strength, Elongation at break & Impact.

25. Types of Plasticizers Primary – These are highly compatible with PVC and can be used alone. e.g. Phthalates – Di-Octyl Phthalate (DOP), Di Iso Octyl Phthalate (DIOP) Phosphates – Tricresyl Phosphate (TCP), Sebacates, Adipates.

26. Types of Plasticizers Secondary – These are less compatible with resin & and are usually employed together with primary plasticizers. e.g. Di Octyl Sebacate (DOS) Adipic Acid Polyesters Epoxidised oil.

27. Extenders These are not used alone as plasticizers. They are limited compatibility with polymer. In conjunction with true plasticizers it enhance the efficiency of plasticizers. Low Cost. It replaces the plasticizers without any adverse effect on polymer. e.g. Chlorinated paraffin wax, oil extracts.

28. Selection of Plasticizers Solvating power Efficiency Compatibility Flame retardant Toxicity Low Temp. Performance Cost

29. FILLERS It is used to modify mechanical properties & to reduce the cost.

30. Effect of Fillers The use of inert fillers can influence the polymer properties in the following ways :- Increase in density. Increase in modulus of elasticity. Lower shrinkage. Increase in hardness. Increase in HDT. Reduction of raw material cost . For e.g. Calcium Carbonate,Red mud

31. Fillers Filler Purpose Wood Flour Saw dust Wood pulp Sisal / jute Purified cellulose Mica / Rock Bulk

32. Fillers Filler Purpose Inorganic Pigments Mineral Powders Metallic Oxides Powder Metals Graphite Hardeners

33. Fillers Glass Fibres & Fabrics Synthetic Fibres & Fabrics Graphite Metallic Oxides Chemical Resistance Filler Purpose Asbestos Ceramic Oxides Silica Thermal Insulation

34. Fillers Filler Purpose Colour Pigments Dyestuffs Carbon Flakes Powder Metals Phosphorescent Minerals Woven Fabrics Appearance

35. Fillers Filler Purpose Glass fibres Asbestos Fibbers Cellulose Fibbers Cotton Fibbers Papers Synthetic Fibbers Reinforcement

36. Fibrous Fillers & Reinforcement Reinforcing fillers are those which enhance the mechanical properties like : Tensile Strength Modulus Hardness of a polymer compound. The product become stiffer and stronger than the base polymer.

37. Fibrous Fillers & Reinforcement Glass Fibres – Increase (Tensile, Compressive,Flexural ) Strength , Increase rigidity, creep resistance hardness and decrease thermal expansion co-efficient, elongation at break. Minerals such as talc, calcuim carbonate, mica – increases the compound rigidity, improve the temperature resistance and reduces shrinkage & warpage.

38. Coupling Agents These are used to increase the adhesion between polymer & filler, fiber by covalent bonds. Ex: Methacrylato-chromo chloride used for glass fibres & Polyester resin Organosilanes are used for PVC , ABS and PA

39. Antistatic Agents Static charge may built up simply by friction with the ambient air Most plastics have low surface conductivity Static charge is not discharged fast enough Troublesome effects like: Heavy contamination of plastics parts Shock as charge flows ( floor covering , door handles)

40. Antistatic Agents Chemicals added to plastics to reduce built up of electrostatic charges on the surface of materials Accumulations can occur during processing and at various handling points Static charges are dissipated by increasing the surface conductivity

41. Antistatic Agents Prevent electrostatic charges – mostly seen in PE, PP, PS, Nylons, Polyesters, Urathenes, Cellulosics, Acrylics & Acrylonitriles Because of insulation properties electrical charge may get deposited on the surface of the plastics produced during processing. This may cause severe damage to the products & equipments. It may cause accumulation of dust. The accumulation of static charge can be minimized by the use of antistatic agents.

42. Antistatic Agents EX: Amines Quaternary ammonium compounds, Phosphates, Esters, Polyethylene glycol esters

43. Slip & Anti block Agents Slip : Reduces coefficient of friction- They are high molecular weight fatty alcohols Amount (0.05 – 0.2% ) e.g. For film of 25 micron 0.01% of Oleamide

44. Slip & Anti block Agents Anti block Agents : Prevent adhesion between the film surface Amount (0.05 – 0.2%) e.g. Calcium Carbonate in PVC film Metal Salts Fatty Acids Natural & Synthetic Waxy Materials

45. Selection of Slip & Anti block Agents Must not spoil optical properties. Must not interface with the adhesion ink to film. Must not prevent the sealing of film. Must be colour less Must be odour less Must be non toxic

46. Nucleating Agents Aiding transmission of white light in Plastics Forms large nos. of nuclei & reduces the size of spherulites. e.g. Sodium, Potassium, Lithium benzoates. Inorganic Powders – Clays, Silica Flour

47. Optical Brighteners It makes a mask over the yellowness formed during processing. Optical Brighteners are organic substance which absorb UV radation e.g. Benzosulphonic & Sulphonamides derivatives. Vinylene bisbenzoxazoles. 4-alkyl-7-dialkyl amino coumarins.

48. Colorants Produces varieties of coloured polymers Also improves Mechanical Strength Specific Gravity Clarity

49. Colorants Dyes ( Soluble in Polymers) Impart brilliant transparent colour to clear plastics Inorganic & Organic AZOS (,180 – 200 0 C) for brightness and clarity Anthraquinone (AQ) –Good heat transparent weathearibility (Auto tube light)

50. Colorants Pigments (In-Soluble in Polymers) Inorganic Organic

51. Colorants Inorganic Pigments : Titanium dioxide - White Cadmium sulphide - Yellow orange Lead chromate - Yellow orange Chromium oxide - Green Organic Pigments : Benzidese – Yellow orange Copper phthalocyanine -Blue Chlorinated copper phthalocyanine Aniline black - BLack

52. Selection of Colorants Heat Stability Disperse ability Light fastness Chemical Inertness Opacity or transparency

53. Anti-Ageing Additives Deterioration by Atmospheric Radiation Temperature Oxygen Water Micro-Oranisms Gases etc

54. Ultraviolet Light Absorbers Detected by Loss in Tensile Properties Discolouration Brittleness EX: Black in any form : Carbon Black, Black dye, Black paints Benzophenones – for PE, Polyesters Benzotriazoles – for PS, Polyesters

55. Impact Modifier To enhance the impact properties of certain brittle polymers so as to use in the field. e.g. Chlorinated polyethylene ,EVA are used for PVC. SBR is used for polystyrene material. EPDM is used for PP ( Bumpers) Acrylic rubbers for Poyamides

56. Flame Retardants Plastics + Fire –free radical formation combines with Oxygen – CO – CO 2 Application : Automobile, Aerospace, Electrical,Transportation,Building,Furniture, TV cabinet

57. Flame Retardants Prevent Combustion by Insulate Creating endothermic cooling reaction Coating the product EX: - Aluminium trihydrate ( Nylon) Antimony trioxides (ABS) Chlorinated Paraffin Zinc borate Halogen Compounds Phosphorous acid esters ( PA,POM,FRP) Nitrogen Compounds

58. Blowing Agents Blowing agents are also known as foaming agents. Upon heating liberate Gas Are used to produce porous polymers i.e. cellular/foam plastics.

59. Blowing Agents Physical Blowing agents : Nitrogen & CO 2 inert gas- Low cost, No solid residue Trichlorofluromethane – PU foam Pentane and Heptane - PS foam Chemical Blowing agents: High temp, Azo Dicarbonamide decompose on heating to produe free radicals and N 2 gas

60. Blowing Agents Blowing agents are also known as foaming agents. Upon heating liberate Gas Are used to produce porous polymers i.e. cellular/foam plastics. EX: Ammonium bi carbonates Sodium bi carbonates Azo Di carbonamide Azo bis formamide N-nitrogen Compound Sulfonyl Hydrazides

61. Master Batches,Additives & Reinforced Compounds Fine organics Bombay 022-25116900-02 Polymer additives Aalekh Polymers (P) Ltd. 8/30, Kirti Nagar New Delhi =15 Ph. No. 25195193 Master Batches & Reinforced Compounds S.C.J. plastics Ltd. New Delhi www.scjindia.com Master Batches Supplier Material

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