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DuPont P&IP launches new high-performance modifiers
Additives for Polymers
MATERIALS Croda develops release agent for polystyrene Croda Chemicals has extended its polymer additives line with a product specifically designed for use in polystyrene processing. According to the company, IncroMax PS decreases surface friction and mould release force, providing a range of product and efficiency benefits. The new additive product acts as a slip agent, rapidly reducing the static and kinetic friction on the surface of the polystyrene. Tests have shown surface friction is reduced on average by 36% in high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and 40% in generalpurpose PS (GPPS), Croda reports; a reduction in mould release force of 20% in HIPS and 32% in GPPS is also claimed. This performance is longlasting and achieved by adding as little as 0.5% of IncroMax PS, the company says. According to Croda, other functional benefits from using the additive include: improved packing and de-nesting of moulded parts; reduced scratch and scuff; enhanced surface quality; fewer rejected parts and less waste; easier processing; and reduced manufacturing noise. Contact: Croda International plc, Cowick Hall, Snaith, Goole, DN14 9AA, UK; tel: +44-1405860551; fax: +44-1405-860205; URL: www.croda.com
DuPont P&IP launches new high-performance modifiers DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers (P&IP) is launching a new family of high-performance modifiers that will impart specific desired properties to a wide variety of polymers, the company says. The first product in the DuPont™ Entira™ line to be introduced globally is Entira AS. Developed by DuPont-Mitsui Polychemicals Co, Ltd, a joint venture between DuPont and Japanese chemical manufacturer Mitsui Chemicals Inc, Entira AS is claimed to offer excellent antistatic properties, high frequency weldability and high moisture permeability. According to DuPont, less than 40% by weight of the modifier is typically needed in a polymer compound to achieve the
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desired benefits. Compared to the surfactants that are commonly used as antistatic agents for plastics, Entira AS provides permanent antistatic properties with little bleeding, excellent processability and miscibility with polyolefins, the company says. Applications for this innovative resin modifier include packaging materials for health and beauty aids, electronics, food and beverages, stationery and industrial materials. According to Todd Becker, global market manager, DuPont P&IP, Entira AS is the first in a line of high-performance modifiers that DuPont will be bringing to the marketplace. Each product in this “innovative new family of modifiers” will offer compounders the ability to enhance specific performance properties to better meet end-user needs, he says. DuPont P&IP has also recently launched DuPont Fusabond® E EC-603D, a compatibilizer for users of PE-based recycle streams. According to the firm, this proprietary copolymer improves both product performance and production efficiencies, while reducing costs for manufacturers of industrial packaging and plastic lumber, as well as blow moulders, injection moulders, compounders and others who are using PE-based recycle streams. According to DuPont, the new polymer modifier provides four important benefits compared to traditional grafted modifiers. Firstly, it has a wider operating window for contaminants such as ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, moisture and zinc stearate lubricants. This enables manufacturers to have easier access to a constant recycle supply, while also reducing costs by being able to accept a higher mix in recycle streams, which are less expensive than those with cleaner reclaim. Additionally, test data show Fusabond E EC603D significantly improves the impact strength of wet blends (700 ppm water) and blends with lubricant. DuPont reports the new modifier proved to be more effective at 0.5% by weight than traditional grafted modifiers at 1.0% by weight. Thus, manufacturers can increase impact strength, while reducing costs, by using lower loading levels. Using Fusabond E EC-603D also facilitates a reduction in die build-up on the manufacturing equipment, which in turn can help manufacturers
July 2006
improve processing efficiency, DuPont says. “The increased anhydride functionality of Fusabond E EC-603D will help our customers reduce costs while improving their product performance,” says IP marketing manager, Megan O’Brien. Customers will be able to handle a broader array of recycle materials than they might otherwise be able to accept, so the new modifier will also help to reduce the environmental footprint of landfills, she adds. Based on the performance of Fusabond E EC-603D for PE-based recycle streams, DuPont scientists are currently conducting tests that should prove useful for systems containing fibreglass or nylon. It is important to note that the modifier is not globally approved for food or medical packaging use. Contact: DuPont Packaging and Industrial Polymers, Barley Mill Plaza 26-2122, Lancaster Pike & Route 141, Wilmington, DE 19880-0026, USA; tel: +1-302-992-5225; fax: +1-302-9923495; URL: www.dupont.com
Ampacet introduces new photoluminescent masterbatches, expands colour capacity US-based Ampacet Corp has introduced a line of improved strontium aluminate photoluminescent colour masterbatches coupled with the support services needed to apply them effectively. The company says the masterbatches can be used with many polymers, including acrylic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, nylon and other engineering resins. Long-lasting photoluminescent signs, strips and other life-safety markings are required by many fire laws. For example, in the USA, such markings are required for escape routes in many settings, such as public transport and commercial buildings, and are also mandated for the interior of trunk latches in cars. Plastic products made to meet such regulations include injection moulded arrows, extruded profiles for walls, extrusion coatings for tape to form glowing bands on walls and floors, and coated film for exit signs, and are generally produced by compounding with strontium aluminate. However, strontium aluminate poses processing challenges because it is as hard as tungsten and abrades screws and barrels during processing. The metal fines so-produced block pores on the strontium
Additives for Polymers
aluminate particles, reducing the emitted photoluminescence. Ampacet says it has found a new way to configure strontium aluminate pigment in the masterbatch to promote high photoluminescence levels, and has also identified a variety of moulding and extrusion practices to help processors create products that meet set photoluminescent standards. It is therefore offering its photoluminescent masterbatch customers a service package that includes production and testing support to ensure these specifications are met. Independent testing found that acrylic and polyethylene compounds containing the new photoluminescent masterbatches exceed afterglow duration and brilliance levels in various standards, Ampacet reports. For example, the American Public Transportation Association standard for emergency signage for egress from passenger rail (APTA SS-PS-002-98 Rev. 1) specifies an afterglow of 7.5 mcd/m2 at 90 minutes. In testing the 90-minute afterglow luminance, Ampacet’s product was 10.8 mcd/m2 for one acrylic formulation and 8.0 mcd/m2 for a linear low density PE compound. Similar results were gained in testing against DIN 67 510 Parts 1-4 for photoluminescent escape route systems and New York City Local Law 26 of 2004, which applies to commercial high-rise buildings over 75 feet tall. In other news, Ampacet has added a new twinscrew production line at its plant in Heath, OH, USA, increasing the site’s custom colour masterbatch capacity by 20%. The company says the added capacity enables the plant to better service growing demand for rapid turnaround of custom colours, particularly from blow and injection moulding applications in rigid packaging, as well as enhancing masterbatch quality and reinforcing the plant’s overall speed-to-market focus. It has also won a major global contract with Shell to supply guaranteed colour-consistent masterbatch for packaging of the oil group’s lubricant products worldwide. The masterbatches are used in blow moulded bottles, injection moulded pails, and injection and compression moulded caps made for Shell by about 100 converters in 60 countries. Contact: Ampacet Corp, 660 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown, NY 10591-5130, USA; fax: +1-914631-7197; URL: www.ampacet.com
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MATERIALS Croda develops release agent for polystyrene Croda Chemicals has extended its polymer additives line with a product specifically designed for use in polystyrene processing. According to the company, IncroMax PS decreases surface friction and mould release force, providing a range of product and efficiency benefits. The new additive product acts as a slip agent, rapidly reducing the static and kinetic friction on the surface of the polystyrene. Tests have shown surface friction is reduced on average by 36% in high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and 40% in generalpurpose PS (GPPS), Croda reports; a reduction in mould release force of 20% in HIPS and 32% in GPPS is also claimed. This performance is longlasting and achieved by adding as little as 0.5% of IncroMax PS, the company says. According to Croda, other functional benefits from using the additive include: improved packing and de-nesting of moulded parts; reduced scratch and scuff; enhanced surface quality; fewer rejected parts and less waste; easier processing; and reduced manufacturing noise. Contact: Croda International plc, Cowick Hall, Snaith, Goole, DN14 9AA, UK; tel: +44-1405860551; fax: +44-1405-860205; URL: www.croda.com
DuPont P&IP launches new high-performance modifiers DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers (P&IP) is launching a new family of high-performance modifiers that will impart specific desired properties to a wide variety of polymers, the company says. The first product in the DuPont™ Entira™ line to be introduced globally is Entira AS. Developed by DuPont-Mitsui Polychemicals Co, Ltd, a joint venture between DuPont and Japanese chemical manufacturer Mitsui Chemicals Inc, Entira AS is claimed to offer excellent antistatic properties, high frequency weldability and high moisture permeability. According to DuPont, less than 40% by weight of the modifier is typically needed in a polymer compound to achieve the
2
July 2006
desired benefits. Compared to the surfactants that are commonly used as antistatic agents for plastics, Entira AS provides permanent antistatic properties with little bleeding, excellent processability and miscibility with polyolefins, the company says. Applications for this innovative resin modifier include packaging materials for health and beauty aids, electronics, food and beverages, stationery and industrial materials. According to Todd Becker, global market manager, DuPont P&IP, Entira AS is the first in a line of high-performance modifiers that DuPont will be bringing to the marketplace. Each product in this “innovative new family of modifiers” will offer compounders the ability to enhance specific performance properties to better meet end-user needs, he says. DuPont P&IP has also recently launched DuPont Fusabond® E EC-603D, a compatibilizer for users of PE-based recycle streams. According to the firm, this proprietary copolymer improves both product performance and production efficiencies, while reducing costs for manufacturers of industrial packaging and plastic lumber, as well as blow moulders, injection moulders, compounders and others who are using PE-based recycle streams. According to DuPont, the new polymer modifier provides four important benefits compared to traditional grafted modifiers. Firstly, it has a wider operating window for contaminants such as ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, moisture and zinc stearate lubricants. This enables manufacturers to have easier access to a constant recycle supply, while also reducing costs by being able to accept a higher mix in recycle streams, which are less expensive than those with cleaner reclaim. Additionally, test data show Fusabond E EC603D significantly improves the impact strength of wet blends (700 ppm water) and blends with lubricant. DuPont reports the new modifier proved to be more effective at 0.5% by weight than traditional grafted modifiers at 1.0% by weight. Thus, manufacturers can increase impact strength, while reducing costs, by using lower loading levels. Using Fusabond E EC-603D also facilitates a reduction in die build-up on the manufacturing equipment, which in turn can help manufacturers
July 2006
improve processing efficiency, DuPont says. “The increased anhydride functionality of Fusabond E EC-603D will help our customers reduce costs while improving their product performance,” says IP marketing manager, Megan O’Brien. Customers will be able to handle a broader array of recycle materials than they might otherwise be able to accept, so the new modifier will also help to reduce the environmental footprint of landfills, she adds. Based on the performance of Fusabond E EC-603D for PE-based recycle streams, DuPont scientists are currently conducting tests that should prove useful for systems containing fibreglass or nylon. It is important to note that the modifier is not globally approved for food or medical packaging use. Contact: DuPont Packaging and Industrial Polymers, Barley Mill Plaza 26-2122, Lancaster Pike & Route 141, Wilmington, DE 19880-0026, USA; tel: +1-302-992-5225; fax: +1-302-9923495; URL: www.dupont.com
Ampacet introduces new photoluminescent masterbatches, expands colour capacity US-based Ampacet Corp has introduced a line of improved strontium aluminate photoluminescent colour masterbatches coupled with the support services needed to apply them effectively. The company says the masterbatches can be used with many polymers, including acrylic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, nylon and other engineering resins. Long-lasting photoluminescent signs, strips and other life-safety markings are required by many fire laws. For example, in the USA, such markings are required for escape routes in many settings, such as public transport and commercial buildings, and are also mandated for the interior of trunk latches in cars. Plastic products made to meet such regulations include injection moulded arrows, extruded profiles for walls, extrusion coatings for tape to form glowing bands on walls and floors, and coated film for exit signs, and are generally produced by compounding with strontium aluminate. However, strontium aluminate poses processing challenges because it is as hard as tungsten and abrades screws and barrels during processing. The metal fines so-produced block pores on the strontium
Additives for Polymers
aluminate particles, reducing the emitted photoluminescence. Ampacet says it has found a new way to configure strontium aluminate pigment in the masterbatch to promote high photoluminescence levels, and has also identified a variety of moulding and extrusion practices to help processors create products that meet set photoluminescent standards. It is therefore offering its photoluminescent masterbatch customers a service package that includes production and testing support to ensure these specifications are met. Independent testing found that acrylic and polyethylene compounds containing the new photoluminescent masterbatches exceed afterglow duration and brilliance levels in various standards, Ampacet reports. For example, the American Public Transportation Association standard for emergency signage for egress from passenger rail (APTA SS-PS-002-98 Rev. 1) specifies an afterglow of 7.5 mcd/m2 at 90 minutes. In testing the 90-minute afterglow luminance, Ampacet’s product was 10.8 mcd/m2 for one acrylic formulation and 8.0 mcd/m2 for a linear low density PE compound. Similar results were gained in testing against DIN 67 510 Parts 1-4 for photoluminescent escape route systems and New York City Local Law 26 of 2004, which applies to commercial high-rise buildings over 75 feet tall. In other news, Ampacet has added a new twinscrew production line at its plant in Heath, OH, USA, increasing the site’s custom colour masterbatch capacity by 20%. The company says the added capacity enables the plant to better service growing demand for rapid turnaround of custom colours, particularly from blow and injection moulding applications in rigid packaging, as well as enhancing masterbatch quality and reinforcing the plant’s overall speed-to-market focus. It has also won a major global contract with Shell to supply guaranteed colour-consistent masterbatch for packaging of the oil group’s lubricant products worldwide. The masterbatches are used in blow moulded bottles, injection moulded pails, and injection and compression moulded caps made for Shell by about 100 converters in 60 countries. Contact: Ampacet Corp, 660 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown, NY 10591-5130, USA; fax: +1-914631-7197; URL: www.ampacet.com
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