ADDITIVES | MINERAL FILLERS
strength, according to Thorsten Hilgers, project manager for thermoplastics in the company’s product development department at the company. Increased use of bio-based plastics and mineral
Figure 1: Spider chart showing the effect on key properties of adding 20% of two different Imerys ground calcium carbonate (GCC) fillers to a PLA cast film formulation (Ingeo 2003D from Natureworks) Source: Imerys
tained tensile properties (Figure 1). Adding GCC increased the melt flow ratio (MFR) by lowering viscosity.
Imerys also says that use of its GCC-A grade
reduced moisture absorption compared to conventional GCC, which results in reduced hydrolysis of the PLA.
Modifying bioplastics Quarzwerke Group’s HPF The Mineral Engineers division has previously conducted several studies using its high-performance mineral fillers in PLA and found that needle-shaped types such as long-needled wollastonite and platelet-shaped additives such as mica significantly increased stiffness, while block-shaped additives such as short-needled wollastonite improved impact
fillers are seen as ways to reduce carbon footprint; another is through mechanical recycling of all kinds of plastics. However, one of the challenges in using post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics, Hilgers says, is the odour profile of PCR. HPF has developed its Rescofil odour absorbing fillers to overcome this problem in recycled thermoplastics by adsorbing the majority of the odour-active substances. In a lab experiment, 5% of the filler was compounded into a PCR-PP, and the odour intensity tested using the VDA270 standard. The filler reduced the odour intensity to a level that was “not disturbing” (Figure 2). With the increasing focus on carbon footprint,
there is a clear need for sound lifecycle analysis (LCA) data. The Industrial Minerals Association (IMA)-Europe has developed LCA data for certain minerals in Europe. In addition, HPF is developing product-specific footprints that take into account the company’s sustainability efforts. The latest introduction from CFI Carbon
Products is Austin Black 325, a lightweight filler made from low volatile bituminous coal using what the company says is a zero-emission process. The product has a plate-like structure and a low specific gravity of 1.30, allowing it to be used for light- weighting. The company says that although the material is a black powder (it is available as a powder or masterbatch) it is not a carbon black.
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