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Materials
News
Axel introduces new semi-permanent mould release agent US company Axel Plastics Research Laboratories has introduced a new line of semipermanent mould release agents. The company says that XTEND has been designed to
enhance release performance in demanding applications. These include fibreglass composites for recreational products, helmets, ski's and boats; resin transfer moulding for automo-
rive products; epoxy resins for aircraft components, rubber hoses and gaskets; and many other plastic and rubber products. According to the company, XTEND is available in waterand solvent-based formulations, giving manufacturers options for all types of resins and rubber and for all types of moulding operations at temperatures ranging from ambient to 538°C (1000°F). XTEND semi-permanent releases are reactive resin solutions designed to crosslink and cure on the mould, providing an inert and durable release surface that does not transfer to the moulded part.
New ultramarine pigments from Nubiola Spanish company Nubiola Pigmentos has introduced a number of products to its Nubix line of ultramarine pigments for multiple uses within the plastics industry. The company says that the Nubix range offers good heat stability, light fastness and is non-toxic. The products have extremely low sulphur levels and are subject to additional processing to remove any remaining moisture. According to Nubiola, the principal advantage of the Nubix range of pigments is the regular particle size distribution that makes the prod-
ucts easy to disperse in most plastics. The particles are also treated to ensure that particles have a regular shape. The range includes Nubicrom, which is a chrome oxide green pigment with good chemical and heat resistance for use in masterbatches. Termodur is the name given to specially processed and stabilized chrome yellows and molybdates, available in a wide range of shades that offer the same bright colours as ordinary chrome colours. The products exhibit good heat resistance, light fastness and resistance to weathering. It is also resistant to sulphur, says
the company. The products are used in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), high and low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and PVC. According to the company, Nubiflow is an extremely fine ultramarine pigment with an even narrower particle size distribution. All particles are below 10 microns. Excellent dispersion means that Nubiflow is particularly suitable for use in polyethylene terephthalate (PET), where the haze effect often produced by conventionally micronized ultramarine pigments is eliminated.
PlasticsAdditives & Compounding April~May 1999
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Engelhard puts glitter into plastics Engelhard Corporation has introduced a new line of extralarge effect pigments. HiLiterM Sparkle Colors provide intense lustre and glitter to increase the visual impact of plastics, says the company. The new iron oxide-coated, mica-based pigments are a part of the Mearlin ® pigment line and are available in six colours - gold, orange, red, violet, blue and green. Other grades in the line allow formulators to create metallic effects with a non-metallic pigment in four shades brass, bronze, copper russet and blue russet. Engelhard adds that Hi-Lite Sparkle Colors are inert, non-tarnishing powders with an average particle size of 47 microns that disperse readily in many media. They can be used in food packaging and other food contact applications. In plastics, the company claims that Hi-Lite Sparkle Colors add strong highlights to packaging and toys, among many other applications. They can be used in most plastic processes from injection moulding and extrusion to casting and blow moulding. Engelhard markets a wide range of products including special effect pigments, organic and complex inorganic colour pigments, aqueous colour dispersions, kaolin-based extender pigments and attapulgite thixotropes.