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Albemarle develops penta-BDE replacement for PU foam use
Additives for Polymers
MATERIALS Croda offers new PET and polyolefin additives Croda has developed two new plastics additives lines: a new surface lubricant for PET and internal antistatic agents for polyolefins. The company planned to debut the new products at the October K 2004 show in Düsseldorf in Germany. The new PET additive, IncroMax PET100, is said to offer improved surface lubrication for PET mouldings and has been specially developed for bottle preforms. The reduced friction leads to a lower incidence of scuff and scratch on preforms, Croda says, and easier handling of moulded articles in automatic processing equipment. The product has no visible effect on PET colour, clarity or other physical properties, and has reportedly been shown to reduce friction and mould release force by 60%. The Incrostat internal antistatic agents have been developed to improve the dissipation of surface charge in polyolefins. Used at low addition levels, they migrate to the surface within minutes, and are proven to last for more than 10 000 hours after extrusion, according to Croda. The new additives show good thermal stability, have wide food contact approval and are also amine free. Incrostat VS2 in particular shows exceptional performance in polypropylene, far exceeding traditional industry standard GMS (glyceryl monostearate), Croda says. Contact: Croda Chemicals Europe, Cowick Hall, Snaith, Goole, DN14 9AA, UK; tel: +441405-860551; fax: +44-1405-861767; e-mail: [email protected]; URL: www.croda.com
Showa Denko develops carbon nanofibre for conductive resins Showa Denko KK has developed a new grade of vapour-grown carbon nanofibre, ‘VGCF-S’, suitable for addition to polymer resins in which electrical conductivity is required. The company believes the new product will accelerate the development of new applications for multiwalled carbon nanofibre. Showa Denko developed its VGCF technology jointly with Prof. Morinobu Endo of Shinshu
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November 2004
University. The company is the sole commercial producer of VGCF material, having already commercialized VGCF with a diameter of 150 nm for use in lithium ion batteries; it currently produces 40 tons/y. According to the company, carbon nanofibre tends to exhibit more useful characteristics as its diameter becomes smaller, but it also means that handling – dispersion and blending – becomes more difficult. Showa Denko developed VGCFS by optimizing the diameter (100 nm) and length (10 µm) of VGCF to achieve high electrical conductivity and good handling properties. When added to resins, VGCF-S is reported to provide electrical conductivity equal to that of carbon nanotubes (CNT) having a diameter of approx. 20 nm and, at the same time, enables high dispersion and blending into base material, in contrast to CNT, which is difficult to disperse. The new fibre can be added to resins to produce highly antistatic products, for example for use in clean rooms to protect fine circuits of electronic devices by preventing discharge of static electricity. Furthermore, VGCF-S can also impart heat conductivity, electromagnetic shielding and sliding properties to the base material, Showa Denko says. The company says it will develop new applications for this material by fully utilizing the combination of these useful properties. It plans to begin commercial production of VGCF-S in 2005 and expects demand to reach 30 tons/y in 2008. Contact: Fine Carbon Division, Showa Denko KK, Tokyo, Japan; tel: +81-3-5470-3521; URL: www.sdk.co.jp
Albemarle develops penta-BDE replacement for PU foam use Albemarle Corp has introduced Saytex® RZ 243 flame retardant as an additional replacement for pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE) in the production of flame-retardant polyurethane foam. Penta-BDE is a widely used flame retardant chemical that will soon be phased out of production. Saytex RZ 243 flame retardant is claimed to meet the foam manufacturing industry’s need for highefficiency flame retardancy, and offers superior thermal stability and good anti-scorch properties
November 2004
Additives for Polymers
for high- and low-density foams used in furniture, bedding, cars and packaging, Albemarle says. The chemical composition of the new flame retardant has not been disclosed. Nelson Clark, Albemarle global business manager for flame retardants, says that the company has been focusing research on “finding more acceptable alternatives” to the limited choice of penta-BDE replacements available to the marketplace. The latest development, Saytex RZ 243, is a product that performs extremely well and is easy to place into existing formulations, according to Clark. Albemarle believes many current penta-BDE users will find it to be “a perfect fit for their needs”. The company launched its first penta-BDE replacement product for PU foams, bromine/phosphorus compound Saytex RX 8500, late last year (ADPO, December 2003).
for all polymer types and can be used in a wide variety of products that have to meet food contact legislation or recycling legislation, particularly in automotive and electrical markets, reports the company.
In related news, the International Consortium for Fire Safety, Health and the Environment, which comprises government authorities and scientists from Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK and the USA, recently voiced concern over the use of chlorinated phosphate ester flame retardants as replacements for octa- and penta-BDEs in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foam. Chlorinated phosphate esters, also known as chlorinated triphosphates or halophosphates, are similar to compounds that have been banned in the USA and Europe and, while little is known about their environmental and health effects, the group says there is concern that they bioaccumulate in the environment. The consortium has therefore recommended that furniture and bedding manufacturers refrain from using these compounds and manufacturers voluntarily withdraw them from use until thorough testing proves whether they can be considered safe.
Complete inhibitor line available from Plasticolors
Contact: Albemarle Corp, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801-1765, USA; tel: +1225-388-7402; fax: +1-225-388-7848; URL: www.albemarle.com International Consortium for Fire Safety, Health and the Environment; e-mail: [email protected]; URL: clean-and-safe.org
Shepherd Color launches chrome-free yellow Shepherd Color has launched Yellow 20P296, a chrome-free, eco-friendly pigment. It is suitable
Shepherd Color says that Yellow 20P296 is a clean, red, buff shade and has low heat build-up and outstanding weatherability, making it also suitable for extrusion siding, window and door applications in the building industry. It is also said to have good heat stability and be easy to disperse. Contact: Shepherd Color Co, 4539 Dues Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45246, USA; tel: +1-513-8740714; fax: +1-513-874-5061; URL: www.shepherdcolor.com
Plasticolors is manufacturing a complete line of inhibitor additives for the thermoset composite, cast polymer and coatings industries. The company says the Colormatch® IN-series and DINseries of inhibitors have been designed to manage shelf stability and to retard premature gelation, and can be incorporated directly into the compound mix. They are available for polyester sheet moulding compounds, bulk moulding compounds and cast mouldings as well as hand lay-up and other open moulding applications. The IN-series of inhibitor additives contains traditional and phthalate-free offerings. The traditional line offers various inhibitor loadings in specific carriers and is claimed to improve handling and elimination of airborne particles. Plasticolors says it can help achieve a homogeneous mixture and improved weight accuracy. The phthalate-free line is reported to meet automotive OEM requirements for reduced phthalates in composite compounds. The DIN-series are available in 100% solid, preweighed, dry form, which reduces weighing and handling time. It is provided in pre-weighed soluble film packaging which helps reduce airborne particles and optimizes use of warehouse space, Plasticolors says. The launch follows the company’s acquisition of Ashland Composite Polymers’ line of inhibitor solution products in March 2003.
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MATERIALS Croda offers new PET and polyolefin additives Croda has developed two new plastics additives lines: a new surface lubricant for PET and internal antistatic agents for polyolefins. The company planned to debut the new products at the October K 2004 show in Düsseldorf in Germany. The new PET additive, IncroMax PET100, is said to offer improved surface lubrication for PET mouldings and has been specially developed for bottle preforms. The reduced friction leads to a lower incidence of scuff and scratch on preforms, Croda says, and easier handling of moulded articles in automatic processing equipment. The product has no visible effect on PET colour, clarity or other physical properties, and has reportedly been shown to reduce friction and mould release force by 60%. The Incrostat internal antistatic agents have been developed to improve the dissipation of surface charge in polyolefins. Used at low addition levels, they migrate to the surface within minutes, and are proven to last for more than 10 000 hours after extrusion, according to Croda. The new additives show good thermal stability, have wide food contact approval and are also amine free. Incrostat VS2 in particular shows exceptional performance in polypropylene, far exceeding traditional industry standard GMS (glyceryl monostearate), Croda says. Contact: Croda Chemicals Europe, Cowick Hall, Snaith, Goole, DN14 9AA, UK; tel: +441405-860551; fax: +44-1405-861767; e-mail: [email protected]; URL: www.croda.com
Showa Denko develops carbon nanofibre for conductive resins Showa Denko KK has developed a new grade of vapour-grown carbon nanofibre, ‘VGCF-S’, suitable for addition to polymer resins in which electrical conductivity is required. The company believes the new product will accelerate the development of new applications for multiwalled carbon nanofibre. Showa Denko developed its VGCF technology jointly with Prof. Morinobu Endo of Shinshu
2
November 2004
University. The company is the sole commercial producer of VGCF material, having already commercialized VGCF with a diameter of 150 nm for use in lithium ion batteries; it currently produces 40 tons/y. According to the company, carbon nanofibre tends to exhibit more useful characteristics as its diameter becomes smaller, but it also means that handling – dispersion and blending – becomes more difficult. Showa Denko developed VGCFS by optimizing the diameter (100 nm) and length (10 µm) of VGCF to achieve high electrical conductivity and good handling properties. When added to resins, VGCF-S is reported to provide electrical conductivity equal to that of carbon nanotubes (CNT) having a diameter of approx. 20 nm and, at the same time, enables high dispersion and blending into base material, in contrast to CNT, which is difficult to disperse. The new fibre can be added to resins to produce highly antistatic products, for example for use in clean rooms to protect fine circuits of electronic devices by preventing discharge of static electricity. Furthermore, VGCF-S can also impart heat conductivity, electromagnetic shielding and sliding properties to the base material, Showa Denko says. The company says it will develop new applications for this material by fully utilizing the combination of these useful properties. It plans to begin commercial production of VGCF-S in 2005 and expects demand to reach 30 tons/y in 2008. Contact: Fine Carbon Division, Showa Denko KK, Tokyo, Japan; tel: +81-3-5470-3521; URL: www.sdk.co.jp
Albemarle develops penta-BDE replacement for PU foam use Albemarle Corp has introduced Saytex® RZ 243 flame retardant as an additional replacement for pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE) in the production of flame-retardant polyurethane foam. Penta-BDE is a widely used flame retardant chemical that will soon be phased out of production. Saytex RZ 243 flame retardant is claimed to meet the foam manufacturing industry’s need for highefficiency flame retardancy, and offers superior thermal stability and good anti-scorch properties
November 2004
Additives for Polymers
for high- and low-density foams used in furniture, bedding, cars and packaging, Albemarle says. The chemical composition of the new flame retardant has not been disclosed. Nelson Clark, Albemarle global business manager for flame retardants, says that the company has been focusing research on “finding more acceptable alternatives” to the limited choice of penta-BDE replacements available to the marketplace. The latest development, Saytex RZ 243, is a product that performs extremely well and is easy to place into existing formulations, according to Clark. Albemarle believes many current penta-BDE users will find it to be “a perfect fit for their needs”. The company launched its first penta-BDE replacement product for PU foams, bromine/phosphorus compound Saytex RX 8500, late last year (ADPO, December 2003).
for all polymer types and can be used in a wide variety of products that have to meet food contact legislation or recycling legislation, particularly in automotive and electrical markets, reports the company.
In related news, the International Consortium for Fire Safety, Health and the Environment, which comprises government authorities and scientists from Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK and the USA, recently voiced concern over the use of chlorinated phosphate ester flame retardants as replacements for octa- and penta-BDEs in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foam. Chlorinated phosphate esters, also known as chlorinated triphosphates or halophosphates, are similar to compounds that have been banned in the USA and Europe and, while little is known about their environmental and health effects, the group says there is concern that they bioaccumulate in the environment. The consortium has therefore recommended that furniture and bedding manufacturers refrain from using these compounds and manufacturers voluntarily withdraw them from use until thorough testing proves whether they can be considered safe.
Complete inhibitor line available from Plasticolors
Contact: Albemarle Corp, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801-1765, USA; tel: +1225-388-7402; fax: +1-225-388-7848; URL: www.albemarle.com International Consortium for Fire Safety, Health and the Environment; e-mail: [email protected]; URL: clean-and-safe.org
Shepherd Color launches chrome-free yellow Shepherd Color has launched Yellow 20P296, a chrome-free, eco-friendly pigment. It is suitable
Shepherd Color says that Yellow 20P296 is a clean, red, buff shade and has low heat build-up and outstanding weatherability, making it also suitable for extrusion siding, window and door applications in the building industry. It is also said to have good heat stability and be easy to disperse. Contact: Shepherd Color Co, 4539 Dues Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45246, USA; tel: +1-513-8740714; fax: +1-513-874-5061; URL: www.shepherdcolor.com
Plasticolors is manufacturing a complete line of inhibitor additives for the thermoset composite, cast polymer and coatings industries. The company says the Colormatch® IN-series and DINseries of inhibitors have been designed to manage shelf stability and to retard premature gelation, and can be incorporated directly into the compound mix. They are available for polyester sheet moulding compounds, bulk moulding compounds and cast mouldings as well as hand lay-up and other open moulding applications. The IN-series of inhibitor additives contains traditional and phthalate-free offerings. The traditional line offers various inhibitor loadings in specific carriers and is claimed to improve handling and elimination of airborne particles. Plasticolors says it can help achieve a homogeneous mixture and improved weight accuracy. The phthalate-free line is reported to meet automotive OEM requirements for reduced phthalates in composite compounds. The DIN-series are available in 100% solid, preweighed, dry form, which reduces weighing and handling time. It is provided in pre-weighed soluble film packaging which helps reduce airborne particles and optimizes use of warehouse space, Plasticolors says. The launch follows the company’s acquisition of Ashland Composite Polymers’ line of inhibitor solution products in March 2003.
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