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PCC launches non-brominated flame retardant system for polypropylene
MATERIALS
MATERIALS PCC launches non-brominated flame retardant system for polypropylene
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lastics Color Corp (PCC), a US supplier of colour concentrates and additive masterbatches for plastics, has introduced a non-brominated flame retardant system for polypropylene. The product line, FlamaSol FR™, was developed at the company’s Solutions Center located in Asheboro, NC, USA. According to PCC development engineer David Witt, FlamaSol FR contains no decabrom (decabromodiphenylether; deca-BDE) or antimony but demonstrates ‘better extinguishing results’ than the company’s previous flame retardant. Both decabrom and antimony are being phased out of flame retardants by the end of 2012, so PCC developed FlamaSol as ‘a new option’ for its customers, Witt says. The Solutions Center developed FlamaSol FR in response to a rising need in the marketplace for safer flame-resistant plastics. Company scientists tested a wide variety of materials under simulated temperature and combustion conditions to discover the best proprietary formulation of fire retardant compounds, PCC says. The new flame retardant formulation is said to be ideal for use in construction materials (electrical conduit, junction boxes, switch boxes), warehouse products (shelving and pallets), personal electronic equipment (computers, printers and televisions) and other applications where extreme heat may cause ignition. According to the company, FlamaSol FR PP surpasses the UL 94 and ANSI 4996 testing standards for plastic pallets and is appropriate for use in injection moulding, extrusion and blow moulding applications. FlamaSol FR PP is available in white, black and natural coloured masterbatches, and can also be custom-formulated for any colour, PCC says. The company reports that is currently working on a complementary FlamaSol product for polyethylene.
Contact: Plastics Color Corp, Calumet City, IL, USA. Tel: +1 800 922 9936, Web: www.plasticscolor.com
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Additives for Polymers
Teknor Apex introduces modifier to broaden processing of PLA in cast film and sheets
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hode Island-based Teknor Apex Co has developed a new melt strength enhancer in masterbatch form that is claimed to increase the pull force that can be applied to polylactic acid (PLA) by 300% to 500% over a wide range of drawdown ratios. This makes it possible to achieve higher throughputs in extrusion and thermoforming while reducing scrap rates, the company reports. Terraloy® MB-90001A1 melt strength enhancer broadens the processing window of PLA in cast film and sheet for clear end products such as clamshell containers used in produce packaging, takeaway food service and other applications, Teknor Apex says. At loading levels of 6–10%, the masterbatch dramatically increases the extensional force that can be applied to PLA during processing at drawdown ratios as high as 35:1, it claims. ‘Poor melt strength has limited productivity in the processing of standard PLA and prevented use of the resin in certain applications’, says Edwin Tam, manager of new strategic initiatives for the Bioplastics Division of Teknor Apex. Besides overcoming these obstacles, the new Terraloy masterbatch disperses more efficiently and uniformly in PLA than additives that come in powder form and does not affect the clarity of neat PLA, according to Tam. The company also recently introduced a modifier to enhance the impact strength of the bioplastic [ADPO, May 2011].
Contact: Teknor Apex Co, Pawtucket, RI, USA. Tel: +1 401 725 8000, Web: www.teknorapex.com
Great Lakes commercializes new polymeric flame retardant
C
hemtura business Great Lakes Solutions has initiated commercial production of Emerald™ 1000 at its manufacturing facility in El Dorado, AR, USA. The new polymeric flame retardant is a product of the business’s greener innovation strategy and is one of four new flame retardant
February 2012
MATERIALS PCC launches non-brominated flame retardant system for polypropylene
P
lastics Color Corp (PCC), a US supplier of colour concentrates and additive masterbatches for plastics, has introduced a non-brominated flame retardant system for polypropylene. The product line, FlamaSol FR™, was developed at the company’s Solutions Center located in Asheboro, NC, USA. According to PCC development engineer David Witt, FlamaSol FR contains no decabrom (decabromodiphenylether; deca-BDE) or antimony but demonstrates ‘better extinguishing results’ than the company’s previous flame retardant. Both decabrom and antimony are being phased out of flame retardants by the end of 2012, so PCC developed FlamaSol as ‘a new option’ for its customers, Witt says. The Solutions Center developed FlamaSol FR in response to a rising need in the marketplace for safer flame-resistant plastics. Company scientists tested a wide variety of materials under simulated temperature and combustion conditions to discover the best proprietary formulation of fire retardant compounds, PCC says. The new flame retardant formulation is said to be ideal for use in construction materials (electrical conduit, junction boxes, switch boxes), warehouse products (shelving and pallets), personal electronic equipment (computers, printers and televisions) and other applications where extreme heat may cause ignition. According to the company, FlamaSol FR PP surpasses the UL 94 and ANSI 4996 testing standards for plastic pallets and is appropriate for use in injection moulding, extrusion and blow moulding applications. FlamaSol FR PP is available in white, black and natural coloured masterbatches, and can also be custom-formulated for any colour, PCC says. The company reports that is currently working on a complementary FlamaSol product for polyethylene.
Contact: Plastics Color Corp, Calumet City, IL, USA. Tel: +1 800 922 9936, Web: www.plasticscolor.com
2
Additives for Polymers
Teknor Apex introduces modifier to broaden processing of PLA in cast film and sheets
R
hode Island-based Teknor Apex Co has developed a new melt strength enhancer in masterbatch form that is claimed to increase the pull force that can be applied to polylactic acid (PLA) by 300% to 500% over a wide range of drawdown ratios. This makes it possible to achieve higher throughputs in extrusion and thermoforming while reducing scrap rates, the company reports. Terraloy® MB-90001A1 melt strength enhancer broadens the processing window of PLA in cast film and sheet for clear end products such as clamshell containers used in produce packaging, takeaway food service and other applications, Teknor Apex says. At loading levels of 6–10%, the masterbatch dramatically increases the extensional force that can be applied to PLA during processing at drawdown ratios as high as 35:1, it claims. ‘Poor melt strength has limited productivity in the processing of standard PLA and prevented use of the resin in certain applications’, says Edwin Tam, manager of new strategic initiatives for the Bioplastics Division of Teknor Apex. Besides overcoming these obstacles, the new Terraloy masterbatch disperses more efficiently and uniformly in PLA than additives that come in powder form and does not affect the clarity of neat PLA, according to Tam. The company also recently introduced a modifier to enhance the impact strength of the bioplastic [ADPO, May 2011].
Contact: Teknor Apex Co, Pawtucket, RI, USA. Tel: +1 401 725 8000, Web: www.teknorapex.com
Great Lakes commercializes new polymeric flame retardant
C
hemtura business Great Lakes Solutions has initiated commercial production of Emerald™ 1000 at its manufacturing facility in El Dorado, AR, USA. The new polymeric flame retardant is a product of the business’s greener innovation strategy and is one of four new flame retardant
February 2012