Antislip additives modify the surface properties of polyolefin films to help reduce friction between surfaces. Additives are used to eliminate the sliding of parallel film surfaces over each other or the sliding of film surfaces over substrates.
An antislip agent may improve packaging operations because items will stay in place and not slip.
Antislip agents can:
Anti-Oxidants can help prevent damage to plastic during the manufacturing process. Plastic can age rapidly under the effects of light, oxygen and heat, leading to:
Processing Stabilizers are antioxidants that are incorporated into the polymer to prevent degradation during processing.
High electrical charges on the surface of plastics can cause the following problems:
Antistatic agents act to reduce surface resistivity to dissipate high electric charge densities on the surface of plastics. Besides reducing the build-up of electrostatic surface charges and the danger of fire or explosion caused by the electric charge on the surfaces of plastics, antistatic agents:
A blowing agent changes the cellular structure of plastic through a gas foaming process. In simplest terms it can create a honeycomb or “air bubble” effect that has a number of benefits. It can result in a more light-weight product using less material and saving costs and can also improve sound and heat insulation of plastics as well as improving the aesthetic of moulded plastic.
To change the structure of polymers, heat from a barrel causes a thermal decomposition of the material producing a gas which may be either endothermic (heat absorbing) or exothermic (heat generating).
Endothermic foaming agents primarily produce carbon dioxide while exothermic mostly generate nitrogen. The cellular structure in a matrix reduces density and overall weight, increasing thermal and acoustic insulation, while increasing relative stiffness of the original polymer. It can also include the reduction of sinks in moulded plastic parts. Chemical foaming agents are used in a wide range of applications in plastics and rubber processing.
By choosing the right foaming agent system you can achieve:
Exothermic foaming agents release heat while decomposing, thus providing a fast and complete decomposition. The effective foaming gas released is mainly nitrogen. The most important exothermic foaming agents are Azodicarbonamide (ADC) and the Sulfonylhydrazides – (OBSH, TSH and BSH).
During the decomposition of endothermic foaming agents heat is consumed. The gas evolution can be controlled by the process temperature. Endothermic foaming agents are physiologically harmless making them suitable for food contact applications. The effective foaming gas is mainly carbon dioxide. Endothermic foaming agents are also used as nucleating agents in physical foaming processes in order to achieve a uniform cell structure.
Nucleating agents help improve product stability and can prevent plastic from warping.
Polypropylene is a semi-crystalline polymer. A nucleating agent increases the crystallization rate and the overall percent crystallinity of the polymer. The faster crystallization rate allows for higher productivity in decreasing the moulding cycle time and extrusion processes. The overall percentage crystallinity of the polymer improves the stiffness and heat deflection temperature.
By influencing the crystallization process, nucleating agents also affect the differential shrinkage of polypropylene. Since differential shrinkage is an important factor in part warpage, the selection of a nucleating agent can have a pronounced effect on the dimensional stability of a final part.
Fluorescent colours are extra bright and often referred to as “neon.” Under normal daylight, fluorescent materials absorb some wavelengths of light and reflect others, just as other materials do.
Fluorescent pigments are available in a wide range and chroma which also ‘glow’ when exposed to the long-wave “ultraviolet” frequencies (UV). These UV frequencies are found in sunlight and some artificial lights. In fluorescence the visible light component—sometimes known as “white light”—tends to be reflected and perceived normally, as colour; while the UV component of light is modified, ‘stepped down’ energetically into longer wavelengths, producing additional visible light frequencies, which are then emitted alongside the reflected white light. Human eyes perceive these changes as the unusual ‘glow’ of fluorescence.
Out-of-doors, however, UV wavelengths are rapidly scattered in space or absorbed by complex natural surfaces, dulling the effect. Furthermore, the complex pigments will degrade quickly in sunlight.
Whether you’re looking for fun or have serious business to conduct the use of luminescent or phosphorescent products will deliver. Used in a variety of products from promotional goods and children’s toys to more serious practical applications like safety signs, these products are luminescent in the dark.
There are effectively two types of luminous pigments. One is based on zinc sulphide and the other on strontium aluminates. Our technical experts can help you make the right selection. These luminous pigments are widely available and come with varying ‘afterglow’ effects. Generally, strontium pigments are brighter and have a longer lasting afterglow than their zinc sulphide counterparts. While green is the most popular luminescent, pinky red, pastel blue, orange and yellow are now available. Speak to our technical experts to discuss processing requirements.
Care needs to be taken in processing these products as they are highly abrasive.
Fluorescent Whitening agents are also called Optical brighteners. These additives can:
These Fluorescent whitening agents work via a fluorescent mechanism which absorbs light in the UV spectrum and emits light in the blue region of visible spectrum to yield a brighter and fresher appearance.
Natural stone-like finishes, aluminium and glitter effects are very popular and come in a variety of forms. By mixing dissimilar masterbatch products we can achieve different effects. Similarly, different coloured specks made of non-polymeric materials, such as aluminium glitter particles can be supplied in a colour masterbatch.
Speak to our technical experts today to achieve your desired results!
Marking polymer materials using laser energy has been commonplace for many years and has evolved to produce better marks, more rapidly and with more flexibility. The growth in laser marking applications is driven by an increasing need for parts identification and traceability, both during manufacturing and in their finished form.
Compared to traditional ink-based technologies, laser marking provides the following benefits:
Today, 90% of laser marking applications are “non-aesthetic” such as bar codes, expiration dates, identification numbers, and specifications. This is very useful for parts that incur high liability in the case of failure. Other aesthetic applications consist of company logos and product differentiation. Anti-counterfeiting challenges represent new opportunities for laser marking as well.
Thermochromic colours are products which change in shade under the influence of temperature – usually changing from colour to colour or colour to clear.
Typically, thermochromic products are produced by specialist manufacturers and must be purchased from overseas sources.
A standard range is available with a set activation temperature and various colours available (see diagram). Masterbatch based on these products are very expensive with prices over $200/kg depending upon order sizes.
Our experienced team creates vibrant colours in plastic products. We use advanced technology to deliver brilliant colour accuracy for masterbatches and dry pigment blends.