ADDITIVES | IMPACT MODIFIERS
always seeking optimal processing parameters, in combination with the best impact modifiers for their products. Excellent application and processing knowledge will remain key for serving this industry.” The Compound Company says it continues to add
Above: Impact modifiers can enhance
performance and compatibi- lise recycled compounds
verified the impact performance of PP modified with the MaxImpact modifier. Tested samples demon- strated a four times improvement in failure height at
-20C while maintaining good clarity and stiffness. The company says the easier recycling of PP can
provide a sustainability benefit over PS, PET or PETG. For example, it says thin-wall food contact packaging manufacturer ITC Packaging is aiming to replace multi-material solutions with more recycla- ble alternatives. The Spanish injection moulder worked with Milliken to improve the recyclability of plastic cups and containers using its impact modifiers to improve existing PP applications and to enable inter-material replacement. It says this has included development of a mono-material solution with good clarity and improved overall performance that maintains stiffness and transpar- ency at a lighter weight.
Engineering moves Netherlands-based The Compound Company, manufacturer of the Yparex and Exxelor additive ranges, says impact modification is important even for engineering plastics. “Strong, durable and heat resistant as they are, engineering plastics often need additives to give them impact properties, particularly at lower temperatures. As engineering plastics continue to replace metals, there will be a growing need for impact modifiers. At the same time, the electrification of vehicles could change the field for engineering plastics, although it is too early to tell in what way,” says Wouter van den Berg, Commercial Director at the company. “Low temperature ductility is still one of the most sought-after properties for many engineering plastics,” he says. “In addition, chemical resistance is increasingly vital for compounds, while at some stage resistance and barrier properties to hydrogen may become important if hydrogen becomes one of the new energy sources. Our customers are also
60 COMPOUNDING WORLD | April 2023
new products to its range and is planning to launch a new low temperature optimised impact modifier this year, as well as one suitable for blow moulding applications. The company also expects increasing interest from mechanical recycling projects, where processors seek a combination of impact improve- ment as well as compatibilisation of recycled plastics. Swiss masterbatch maker Sukano recently launched a transparent impact modifier for cold, flash frozen and room temperature packaging applications under the Sukano RPET product portfolio. The company says the impact modifier masterbatch can enable replacement of special- ised co-polyester resins with modified recycled or virgin PET grades, allowing the end application to be mono-material and recyclable. The company says the impact modifier offers
improved durability and toughness, enhanced impact resistance, higher RPET content and shatter resistance, without a loss in transparency. It also provides safer packaging for consumers by reducing sharp edges and leads to fewer shards, avoiding contamination risk. The shatter resistance also helps improve productivity and yield by avoiding line interruptions and generating more high-quality parts (the additive also acts as a cutting aid to improve die cutting ). New high-impact PP based grades have also been added to Avient’s Gravi-Tech density-modi- fied compound portfolio. Developed to deliver the look and weighted feel of metal in premium brand high-impact application, the new formulations pass strict drop test requirements and provide good low-temperature impact performance. “We identified a growing need for high-density injection moulding solutions that will help brand owners, designers and manufacturers create weighted premium products with more complex designs than possible when using metals, while simultaneously meeting higher demands on impact strength,” says Matt Mitchell, Director of Global Marketing, Specialty Engineered Materials.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.dow.com �
www.sk-fp.com �
www.milliken.com �
www.thecompoundcompany.com �
www.sukano.com �
www.avient.com
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66
