ADDITIVES IN PLASTICS

By - Kirtan .V
Roll MO7049

What are
additives ?
Materials dispersed polymer
matrix without affecting
significantly the molecular structure
of the polymer to attend certain
desirable properties

Why to use additives in

plastics ?

Improve processing conditions

Increase resins stability to oxidation
Obtain better impact resistance
Increase or decrease hardness
Control surface tension
Facilitate extrusion moulding
Control blocking
Reduce cost
Increase flame resistance.

Types of additives

Fillers
Antioxidants
Heat stabilizers
UV stabilizers
Colorants
Antistatics
Flame/fire retardants
Cross-linking agents
Blowing agents
Lubricants
Impact modifiers
Processing aids

What are fillers?

Mostly needed by thermosets,
sometimes also needed by
thermoplastics.
Added to reduce cost.

Classification of fillers
Mineral fillers : e.g. CaCO3 , kaolin, feldspar, talc etc.
Metallic, conductive & magnetic fillers : iron, copper,
zinc & lead
Fire retarding fillers : Sb2O3
Organic and special purpose fillers : carbon black, wood
flour, walnut flour
Flake reinforcement : mica
Continuous filament reinforcement : fibre glass, carbon
graphite filaments etc.
Short fibre reinforcement : asbestos

Heat stabilizers
To prevent degradation that occur during high temp processing/fabrication .
PVC largest consumer.
e.g.- family of lead salts, complex barium cadmium solids, non toxic Ca & Zn
salts

 Type: Ba / Cd - Clear calendered products, Injection moulded

flexible products, blown film
Type: Ba / Cd / Zn Clear calendered products, blown film, flexible
products, plastisol processing
Type: Ba / Zn Flexible calendered products, unsupported films for
garments, artificial leather for automotive
Type: Ca / Zn (Non-Toxic) Childrens toys, packaging films, base
coat for artificial leather, top coat for floor coverings, conveyor
belts, sealing compounds
Type: Ba / Cd / Pb Calendered, injection moulded products,
extreme high temp, and application.
Type: Lead Complex Rigid PVC pipes, casing capping, electric wires.

UV STABILIZERS

UV light 280-400nm polymers unstable

To overcome this UV stabilizers are used.

Classification-:
1)UV absorbers: Hydroxy benzophenones
2)UV quenchers: Piperidines
3)Pigment: carbon black
Applications -:
1) carpenting outdoor/seatings
2) Acrylic coating used on outdoor sign boards
3) Light diffusers
4) Used in outer liners of HMHDPE

Antioxidants-:
Polymers when subjected to oxygen attack & if
1)there exists high concentration of unsaturated c-c bonds
2)residual polymerisation catalyst
3)it is subjected to highly oxidising conditions,then it undergo
oxidation.
-to overcome this problems long service life, antioxidants are
used.
Classification -:
1)primary: hindered phenolics acryl amines
2)secondary: phosphurous &
sulphur containing compounds

Colorants
Colorants

Dyes (completely soluble)

Pigments (forms dispersion)

properties :
1) hiding power
2) particle distribution
3) fastness to light,heat,chem.
e.g. Benzidine yellow, red 2B pigments,
Alumina hydrate, iron oxide .
Applications:
Packaging, domestic articles, space research ,
m/c switches, transportation

Antistatic agent
Due to low surface conductivity have poor
conductivity accumulation of static charge.
Which is undesirable because
1) attracts dust particles wear & abrasion &
unsightly look.
2) charged metals results into powdering.
3) it can generate spark, which can become
hazardous.
e.g. butyl stearate, tri -ethanol-amine

Fire retardants
Polymers being organic compounds burn or
decompose on exposure to fire, generates toxic
fumes, smoke.
Two techniques: 1)use fire retardant raw material.
2)use fire retardant additives.
e.g. inorganic :zinc borate
halogenated :chlorinate paraffins
applicable to polymers to be used in mines,
automobiles, air vehicles, railways, etc.
consumed by - polyesters, polycarbon
polyurethanes.

Cross-linking agents
Thermosets cure either on application of heat or cross linking/curing/ hardening
agents.
In some cases agent triggers off the reaction & therefore linking the resin
molecules or
It enters into the parts between molecules and completes the chain.
Classification :
1)free radical intiator : Isobutyl nitrile, Alkyl peroxide .
2)non free radical agents : Isocynate with polyol
Used : Manufacture of Thermosets like polyurethane, Urea Formaldehyde, etc

Blowing agent
Polymeric foams preparation(2 ways)
1) mechanical
2) chemically
substances called blowing agents, which on heating
decompose giving N & CO2
Rigid PVC,ABS,Polystyrene, polyolefins being chief
consumers.

Applications:
mattresses, pillows, insulation, foam pipes for
non-p conditions.
e.g.para toluene sulphonyl hydrazide.

Lubricants

Hot processing of polymers need lubricants either internally

or externally.
Internal lubricants decreasing normal cohesive forces
between polymer moleculesgood flow conditions by

lowering viscosity.

External lubricant dont let melt to stick to hot surface of

processing. By forming a thin layer at melt-solid interface.
e.g. butyl stearate, octyl stearate, stearic acid

Impact modifiers
To upgrade physical properties of polymer to the extent
prescribed by consumer, the additives added to polymers are
called as strength (impact) modifiers.
They impart breakage resistance, rigidity, ease of post
fabrication, strength to sheets
The strength imparted depends on time & temp conditions of
processing .
Rigid PVC for prolonged outdoor exposure needs I.m., similarly
epoxy & polyester thermosets require impact modifiers.

Additives : Packaging
appications

Enhances barrier properties

Better transparency/Gloss
Better printing/sealing properties
Anti microbials

Thank you ;)