masterbatch feature | Carrier materials


compatible with both polyolefins and polystyrenes. Arbor Plastics Technologies (APT) offers its MFP (multi-functional pellet) additive delivery system, in which multiple additives can be incorporated with APT’s Qwik Shot process enhancer as the carrier. The advantage of this, says APT, is that Qwik Shot acts as a flow enhancer to reduce cycle times, lower barrel temperatures, and widen the processing window.


Clariant’s latest Licocene grades are used as universal dispersing and carrier agents in pre-mixes


polymers. Its Licocene PP 1302, 1502, 2602 and 6102 highly crystalline waxes act as combined dispersing and carrier agents for pre-mix formulations. The high-per- formance metallocene-catalysed products can be used universally, displaying high compatibility with a broad range of plastics. According to the company, the four grades can


deliver better control and dispersion of colorants, additives and fillers without any negative impact on the physical and mechanical properties of the formulation. The waxes allow the pre-mix ingredients to be shaped into a granular form for convenient handling. The new Licocene grades are supplied as amor- phous and semi-crystalline granules. They have low melting points (80 to 165˚


C), low viscosities at 170˚


tion (<2). LyondellBasell is targeting masterbatch carrier


ExxonMobil’s Vistamaxx


reduces yarn breakage and dusting


problems in monofilaments for woven bags


applications with its Lupolen 1800U high-flow LDPE. This grade is produced using the company’s Lupotech T high-pressure tubular process technology and has the highest melt flow rate (60 g/10 min) of any of its LDPE grades. The company says that the resin provides very good


dispersion and homogenization of pigments and additives, and can also be used as a viscosity modifier in compounds. It adds that the new LDPE has better processing characteristics than LLDPE. In addition to masterbatch and compounding markets, the resin is also targeted at injection moulding applications, such as flexible thin-wall lids. Nova Chemicals is also promoting its UPES resin as


an effective carrier material for universal masterbatch- es. Produced using the company’s Qinnex suspension polymerisation technology, the resin is a “very intimate blend” of polystyrene and polyethylene. This means that it can be used to produce masterbatches that are


20 COMPOUNDING WORLD | August 2012 www.compoundingworld.com


Porous carriers for liquids While some processors are set up to handle and dose liquid additives, others prefer to dose these additives by first embedding them in free-flowing solids. Additives are typically mixed with and absorbed into the porous carrier at room temperature, which prevents degrada- tion of thermally-sensitive additives. LyondellBasell’s Hifax CA7153 S is a PP copolymer


in a highly-porous granule form that can serve as a carrier for liquid additives such as peroxides, poly- isobutylene and pigment pastes. The additives are absorbed into the polymer by dry-blending to create free-flowing granules that are easy to handle, dose, mix and disperse. The company says that this can help users comply with health, safety and environmental standards. Membrana’s Accurel MP microporous polymers can


C (60 to 7,000 MPas) and a narrow molecular weight distribu-


be filled with liquid additives to produce free-flowing powder or pellet concentrates. Accurel MP can be made using a range of resins, including PP, PE, and polyam- ides (PA). The carriers can hold a variety of liquid additives, including antimicrobials, antioxidants, coupling agents, fragrances, peroxides, and silanes. Maximum loading capacity is 75% by weight, says the company. It also offers a line of standard super-concen- trates as well as custom manufacturing services. Frilvam, a masterbatch producer based in Italy, has


developed a method of foaming polyolefins to create a porous structure that absorbs liquid additives at up to 50% concentration by stirring a dry-blend. Avoiding heat is helpful for additives such as antifog, in which


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