POLYAMIDE | ADDITIVES
Among its newest introductions in this area is
Above: Stadium seating is a target market for Gabriel- Chemie
loadings, and to achieve better dispersion. In the area of flame retardancy, two CAI prod-
ucts — ST-FR388 and ST-FR395 — are helping to improve PA performance. ST-FR395, which is said to be characterised by its cost-saving benefits and environmental credentials, offers a good solution for formulations containing bromine-antimony flame retardants. It can be used to replace 3 to 5 parts per hundred resin (phr) of bromine and antimony, reducing cost and also minimising bromine and antimony content. The ST-FR388 grade focuses primarily on cost savings. With interest growing in PA compounds using
recycled content, CAI last year introduced ST-CE37, a polymeric epoxy functional chain extender suitable for upgrading the performance of a variety of virgin and recycled polycondensation polymers, including PA as well as PET. The company claims the additive can significantly improve viscosity characteristics and mechanical properties, as well as inhibiting hydrolysis. It says the reactive side chain present in the ST-CE37 additive gives it an edge over competitive products because it is more accessible to the host polymer.
Right:
Optimised additive
dispersion can enhance flame resistance in PA6 and PA66 compounds
Additive focus Austrian masterbatch maker Gabriel-Chemie has recently released a number of new additive products focused on PA materials. Again, one of the company’s prime areas of focus has been on flame retardants for various applications, most notably for stadium seating and electrical components and conduits. Both of these are areas where the company is seeing a strong push towards more sustainable, halogen-free alternatives.
36 COMPOUNDING WORLD | April 2024
PA7MA2190FR, which is based on a PA12 carrier and is aimed towards the electrical conduit market. It is capable of delivering PA compounds with a UL94 V-2 classification at 3mm thickness. Also new is PA7MA4797UVFRB1, which is based on a PA6 carrier and is primarily aimed at stadium seating. It is capable of meeting various flame standards at 3mm thickness, including UL94 V-2, DIN 4102 B1 or the Italian C1 standard. Gabriel-Chemie says that some players in the stadium seat industry have also been encouraging a move to more sustainable solutions, in particular using recycled materials, and it says it has been working closely with customers in this area. It has already developed various products with custom- ers, including one stadium seating project based on rPA6 that is able to achieve German class B1 certification.
In addition to flame retardants, the company has
also introduced a new polymer processing aid — PA7AB4830PPA. This is polysiloxan-based in a PA carrier and is non-leaching, which makes it a good option for applications where post-production marking or printing on the polymer surface is required.
Compatibilisers Looking to the future, Gabriel-Chemie Corporate Head of Marketing Mark Hannah says: “We are currently in the process of launching a new range of compatibilisers to help support increased use of mechanically recycled materials and drive the circular economy. Often a certain level of foreign polymer is present in recycled polymers due to imperfections in the sorting and recycling process, and our compatibilizers are designed to improve the material properties. Although most of the range is focused on polyolefins, there are various products that can also be used in PA, such as Maxiloop UNS7AB5220COM, which reduces processing issues and improves me- chanical properties such as impact strength and elongation at break.” Getting the best performance from any additive, filler or reinforcement often depends on the level of dispersion achieved. For example, optimal flame retardancy and mechanical properties can achieved by selection of the most suitable incorporation conditions (screw geometries) and/ or use of a suitable dispersing lubri-
www.compoundingworld.com
I
A M
G
: E
S
H
U
T T
R E
S
O T
C
/ K
V
O
L E
K P
E
R
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK/ XIA WEIQING
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
