NUCLEATORS AND CLARIFIERS | ADDITIVES
Nucleating and clarifying agents speed crystallisation and can enhance processing, appearance, and performance across a range of polymers and applications. Jennifer Markarian reports
Defining a clear advantage
As the plastics industry seeks to improve sustain- ability, material formulators are looking for ways to reduce material consumption and to make greater use of recycled resins. Clarifiers and nucleating agents are among the available tools, allowing physical properties to be enhanced to support downgauging, lift performance of recycled resins, and (in the case of clarifiers) to improve clarity. Clarifiers and nucleating additives can deliver
productivity benefits, too. By speeding crystallisa- tion of the polymer, it may be possible to lower processing temperatures and reduce cycle times to save energy and reduce production costs. A broad range of nucleating chemistries are available, extending from talcs, metal oxides, sodium benzoate and organophosphates to soluble nonitol and sorbitols, including DMBDS (dimethyldiben- zylidene sorbitol). Nucleators and clarifiers are used widely in PP,
where their ability to modify the polymer can frequently allow the polymer to be used to substitute other, more expensive or potentially less recyclable, resins. The continued growth of PP in areas such as
www.compoundingworld.com
packaging is driving increased use of nucleators. “In the packaging space, PP is being enhanced with nucleators to boost physical properties, enabling replacement of polystyrene (PS) and high-impact PS (HIPS), especially in thin-wall injection moulded applications,” says Bhavesh Gan- dhi, Global Product Line Manager, Plastic Additives at Milliken & Company. “Milliken’s Hyperform HPN performance additives for PE and PP help improve shrinkage behaviour to avoid warpage, and also help optimise the balance between stiffness and impact.” Milliken’s latest Hyperform grades for nucleating thermoformed PP are HPN 909ei and HPN 500ei. Both products improve optics, including reducing haze and yellowing, to give a “cleaner, newer appearance,” says Gandhi. The Hyperform HPN 500ei nucleator improves stiffness while maintain- ing impact performance and helps improve the material’s heat deflection temperature. The Hyperform HPN 909ei nucleator is designed to address migration concerns, especially in food contact applications. “It eliminates one ‘Specific
Main image: Nucleators such as Milliken’s new Hyperform HPN 909ei for thermoformed PP improve performance and appear- ance while simplifying migration testing
June 2021 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 57
IMAGE: MILLKEN & COMPANY
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 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70
