POLYMER

ADDITIVES
 ADDITIVES
Polymers unsuitable for processing in
pure unmodified form
e.g. Polyolefins Oxidative degradation
due to heat and pressure during
processing
PVC - Degradation at processing
temperature
 ADDITIVES
Any Substance that is added
generally in small concentration to
resins in order to :
Alter their properties
Facilitate processing
Change the physical, chemical or
electrical properties of end products.
Reduce the cost
 Requirements of Additives
Effectiveness in their function
Stable under processing conditions
Stable under service conditions
Economic
Compatibility with Polymer Matrix
At molecular level
Neither Volatile nor extrude to the surface
Neither bleed nor bloom
Must have low vapour pressure at high
temperature
Non Hazardous, non impart taste & odour
 CLASSIFICATION

Assist Processing Processing Stabilizer

Lubricants - External
Lubricants - Internal
Modify Bulk Mechanical Plasticizer
Properties & Thermal Reinforcing
Properties filler(carbon black or
silica)
Toughening Agents
Reduce Cost Fillers
Diluents & extenders
 CLASSIFICATION
Surface Properties Antistatic
Modifier Anti Slip
Anti wear
Anti block
Adhesion Promoters
Optical Properties Nucleating Agents
Modifier Colorants
Anti-Ageing UV Absorbers
Fungicides
Others Blowing Agents
Flame Retarders
 Processing Stabilizers
Prevent degradation which is caused by
Heat
Oxygen
What Happens ?
Oxygen combines with Polymer under high
temp to form carbonyl compounds which
leads to yellow & brown discolouration.
 Processing Stabilizers
Primary Stabilizers Antioxidants
Secondary Stabilizers Peroxide
decomposes
Chelating Agents Metal deactivators
Special Stabilizers (Heat Stabilizers) for
halogenated polymers
 Antioxidants
( Primary Stabilizer )
They inhibit or retard the oxidative degradation
of materials at normal or elevated temperature
during processing, storage or service due to
Heat
Light
Chemical Induction

How it works?
It interrupt the chain reaction by combining with
the free radicals forming a non reactive products

(Amount : 0.1 0.5%)

 Effect of Oxidation
Loss in Tensile Properties
Discolouration i.e. yellowing,
Increase in Brittleness
Melt Flow Instability
Change in appearance.
Hardness increases.
Loss of Gloss.
loss of transparency.
Cracking.

Hindered Phenols or Aromatic Amines

 Secondary Stabilizer Peroxide
decomposes
How it works?
Peroxides are reduced to alcohols & are
deactivated.
EX:
Sulphur & Phosphorus Compounds such as
Sulphides, thioethers, tertiary phosphites &
phosphorates.
 Chelating Agents Metal
Deactivators
Prevent degradation by metal ions
(impurities in polymers ziegler-natta
redox initiators, fillers, pigments etc.)
EX:
Organic Phosphines & Phosphites
Higher Nitrogenated compounds Melamine,
diamine etc
 Heat Stabilizers
Prevent Degradation
Absorb & Neutralize HCl gas evolved
Prevent Oxidation reactions
Prevent Discolouration
Displace active substituents with stable
substituents
 Heat Stabilizers
Lead
Tri Basic Lead Sulphate (TBLS)
Dibasic Lead Sulphate (DBLS)
Basic Lead Carbonate
Dibasic Lead Phosphite
Organo-tin
Dibutyltin meleates
Dibutyltin bis mercaptides
Cadmium / Barium /Zinc
Cadmium/Barium laurates
Cadmium/Barium/Zinc Complexes
 Synergistic Stabilizer Systems
The term Synergism is used to describe
the combined effect of two or more
stabilizers, which is greater than the sum
of the effects of the individual stabilizers
used in isolation.

Effect (A+B) > Effect A + Effect B

 Lubricants or Flow Promoters
Functions :-
To reduce friction between the material and the
processing equipment. ( Adhesive forces)
To reduce heat & wear between two surfaces either
between the polymer molecules
( Cohesive forces) or between the polymeric material
and the equipment.
Reduces thermal degradation of the polymer.
Modifies flow characteristics.
Homogenous the polymer melt with other polymer
additives.
To prevent the plastic from sticking to the mould
surface during processing
Lubricants or Flow Promoters

External Lubricants
Internal Lubricants
 External Lubricants
Prevent friction between polymer melt & metal
surface
Prevent sticking to the metal parts
They are usually high molecular compounds and
have non-polar groups.
They have low compatibility with the polymer but
have high affinity for the metal surface.
During processing they form a thin film between
polymer melt & metal surface.
They improve surface finish & gloss.
They help to reduce melt viscosity and give a high
output rate.
 External Lubricants
Metal Soaps
Metal Stearates
Zinc Stearates
Calcium Stearates
Magnesium Stearates
Hydrocarbon waxes
Stearic Acid & its calcium, lead, Ba, Cd Salt,
Hydro carbon & Esters
 Internal Lubricants
Promotes Flow by reducing cohesive forces
between molecular interfaces within the resin
They are usually low molecular weight
compounds, having polar groups.
They function by reducing intra-molecular friction
before and during the melt formation of the
polymer by promoting flow and reducing melt
viscosity of the polymeric mass.
They also enhance polymer properties like heat
stability, impact strength, colour & clarity.
 Internal Lubricants
Amine Waxes
Ester Derivatives
Glyceryl mono stearate
Long chain esters
Fatty Acids & Amides
Ethylene bi stear amide
Zinc Stearates
 Selection of Lubricants
Metal Soaps Low Compatibility with
polymer, so used as external lubricants
Long Chain Fatty Acids Used as Internal
Lubricants for polar polymers.
Long Chain di-alkyl esters Medium
compatibility, so act as external & internal
lubricants.
High Molecular weight paraffin wax low
compatibility with polar polymer, so used
as external lubricants.
 Plasticizers or softeners
Improve process ability by reducing Tg
These are high boiling non-volatile
solvents
Polar with a high Mol. Wt. ester type
organic compounds.
Reduce internal friction between
polymer chain.
 Effect of Plasticizers

Easy melt
Improve flexibility
Increase Softness and Flexibility.
Improve Process ability.
Alters Softening point, Tensile Strength,
Elongation at break & Impact.
 Types of Plasticizers
Primary These are highly compatible
with PVC and can be used alone.
e.g.
Phthalates Di-Octyl Phthalate (DOP), Di Iso
Octyl Phthalate (DIOP)
Phosphates Tricresyl Phosphate (TCP),
Sebacates,
Adipates.
 Types of Plasticizers
Secondary These are less compatible
with resin & and are usually employed
together with primary plasticizers.
e.g.
Di Octyl Sebacate (DOS)
Adipic Acid Polyesters
Epoxidised oil.
 Extenders
These are not used alone as plasticizers.
They are limited compatibility with polymer.
In conjunction with true plasticizers it enhance
the efficiency of plasticizers.
Low Cost.
It replaces the plasticizers without any adverse
effect on polymer.
e.g.
Chlorinated paraffin wax,
oil extracts.
 Selection of Plasticizers
Solvating power
Efficiency
Compatibility
Flame retardant
Toxicity
Low Temp. Performance
Cost
 FILLERS

It is used to modify mechanical

properties & to reduce the cost.
 Effect of Fillers
The use of inert fillers can influence the
polymer properties in the following ways :-
Increase in density.
Increase in modulus of elasticity.
Lower shrinkage.
Increase in hardness.
Increase in HDT.
Reduction of raw material cost.
For e.g. Calcium Carbonate,Red mud
 Fillers
Purpose Filler
Bulk Wood Flour
Saw dust
Wood pulp
Sisal / jute
Purified cellulose
Mica / Rock
 Fillers
Purpose Filler
Hardeners Inorganic Pigments
Mineral Powders
Metallic Oxides
Powder Metals
Graphite
 Fillers
Purpose Filler
Chemical Resistance Glass Fibres & Fabrics
Synthetic Fibres & Fabrics
Graphite
Metallic Oxides
Thermal Insulation Asbestos
Ceramic Oxides
Silica
 Fillers
Purpose Filler
Appearance Colour Pigments
Dyestuffs
Carbon Flakes
Powder Metals
Phosphorescent Minerals
Woven Fabrics
 Fillers
Purpose Filler
Reinforcement Glass fibres
Asbestos Fibbers
Cellulose Fibbers
Cotton Fibbers
Papers
Synthetic Fibbers
Fibrous Fillers & Reinforcement
Reinforcing fillers are those which enhance
the mechanical properties like :
Tensile Strength
Modulus
Hardness of a polymer compound.
The product become stiffer and stronger
than the base polymer.
 Fibrous Fillers & Reinforcement
Glass Fibres
Increase (Tensile, Compressive,Flexural )
Strength ,Increase rigidity, creep resistance
hardness and decrease thermal expansion
co-efficient, elongation at break.
Minerals such as talc, calcuim carbonate,
mica increases the compound rigidity,
improve the temperature resistance and
reduces shrinkage & warpage.
 Coupling Agents
These are used to increase the adhesion
between polymer & filler, fiber by covalent
bonds.
Ex: Methacrylato-chromo chloride used for
glass fibres & Polyester resin
Organosilanes are used for PVC , ABS and
PA
 Antistatic Agents
Static charge may built up simply by friction
with the ambient air
Most plastics have low surface conductivity
Static charge is not discharged fast enough
Troublesome effects like:
Heavy contamination of plastics parts
Shock as charge flows ( floor covering ,
door handles)
 Antistatic Agents

Chemicals added to plastics to reduce built

up of electrostatic charges on the surface of
materials
Accumulations can occur during processing
and at various handling points
Static charges are dissipated by increasing
the surface conductivity
 Antistatic Agents
Prevent electrostatic charges mostly seen in
PE, PP, PS, Nylons, Polyesters, Urathenes,
Cellulosics, Acrylics & Acrylonitriles
Because of insulation properties electrical
charge may get deposited on the surface of
the plastics produced during processing.
This may cause severe damage to the
products & equipments.
It may cause accumulation of dust.
The accumulation of static charge can be
minimized by the use of antistatic agents.
 Antistatic Agents

EX:
Amines
Quaternary ammonium compounds,
Phosphates,
Esters,
Polyethylene glycol esters
 Slip & Anti block Agents

Slip : Reduces coefficient of friction- They

are high molecular weight fatty alcohols
Amount (0.05 0.2% )
e.g. For film of 25 micron 0.01% of
Oleamide
 Slip & Anti block Agents
Anti block Agents : Prevent adhesion
between the film surface
Amount (0.05 0.2%)
e.g.
Calcium Carbonate in PVC film
Metal Salts
Fatty Acids
Natural & Synthetic Waxy Materials
 Selection of Slip & Anti block Agents

Must not spoil optical properties.

Must not interface with the adhesion ink to
film.
Must not prevent the sealing of film.
Must be colour less
Must be odour less
Must be non toxic
 Nucleating Agents
Aiding transmission of white light in Plastics
Forms large nos. of nuclei & reduces the
size of spherulites.
e.g.
Sodium, Potassium, Lithium benzoates.
Inorganic Powders Clays, Silica Flour
 Optical Brighteners
It makes a mask over the yellowness
formed during processing.
Optical Brighteners are organic substance
which absorb UV radation
e.g.
Benzosulphonic & Sulphonamides
derivatives.
Vinylene bisbenzoxazoles.
4-alkyl-7-dialkyl amino coumarins.
 Colorants
Produces varieties of coloured
polymers
Also improves
Mechanical Strength
Specific Gravity
Clarity
 Colorants
Dyes (Soluble in Polymers)
Impart brilliant transparent colour to
clear plastics
Inorganic & Organic
AZOS (,180 2000C) for brightness and
clarity
Anthraquinone (AQ) Good heat
transparent weathearibility
(Auto tube light)
 Colorants
Pigments (In-Soluble in Polymers)
Inorganic
Organic
 Colorants
Inorganic Pigments :
Titanium dioxide - White
Cadmium sulphide - Yellow orange
Lead chromate - Yellow orange
Chromium oxide - Green
Organic Pigments :
Benzidese Yellow orange
Copper phthalocyanine -Blue
Chlorinated copper phthalocyanine
Aniline black - BLack
 Selection of Colorants
Heat Stability
Disperse ability
Light fastness
Chemical Inertness
Opacity or transparency
 Anti-Ageing Additives
Deterioration by Atmospheric
Radiation
Temperature
Oxygen
Water
Micro-Oranisms
Gases etc
 Ultraviolet Light Absorbers
Detected by
Loss in Tensile Properties
Discolouration
Brittleness

EX:
Black in any form : Carbon Black, Black dye,
Black paints
Benzophenones for PE, Polyesters
Benzotriazoles for PS, Polyesters
 Impact Modifier
To enhance the impact properties of
certain brittle polymers so as to use in the
field.
e.g.
Chlorinated polyethylene ,EVA are used for
PVC.
SBR is used for polystyrene material.
EPDM is used for PP ( Bumpers)
Acrylic rubbers for Poyamides
 Flame Retardants

Plastics + Fire free radical formation

combines with Oxygen CO CO2
Application : Automobile, Aerospace,
Electrical,Transportation,Building,Furnit
ure, TV cabinet
 Flame Retardants
Prevent Combustion by
Insulate
Creating endothermic cooling reaction
Coating the product

EX: - Aluminium trihydrate ( Nylon)

Antimony trioxides (ABS)
Chlorinated Paraffin
Zinc borate
Halogen Compounds
Phosphorous acid esters ( PA,POM,FRP)
Nitrogen Compounds
 Blowing Agents
Blowing agents are also known as
foaming agents. Upon heating liberate
Gas
Are used to produce porous polymers
i.e. cellular/foam plastics.
 Blowing Agents
Physical Blowing agents: Nitrogen & CO2
inert gas- Low cost, No solid residue
Trichlorofluromethane PU foam
Pentane and Heptane - PS foam

Chemical Blowing agents: High temp, Azo

Dicarbonamide decompose on heating to
produe free radicals and N2 gas
 Blowing Agents
Blowing agents are also known as foaming
agents. Upon heating liberate Gas
Are used to produce porous polymers i.e.
cellular/foam plastics.

EX:
Ammonium bi carbonates
Sodium bi carbonates
Azo Di carbonamide
Azo bis formamide
N-nitrogen Compound
Sulfonyl Hydrazides
Master Batches,Additives & Reinforced Compounds

Material Supplier
Master Batches S.C.J. plastics Ltd. New
Delhi
www.scjindia.com
Master Batches & Aalekh Polymers (P)
Reinforced Ltd.
Compounds 8/30, Kirti Nagar New
Delhi =15
Ph. No. 25195193
Polymer additives Fine organics Bombay
022-25116900-02
THANK YOU