Why we use Polymer Processing Aid Masterbatches?

Polymer Process Aids (PPA) masterbatches are specifically designed to
Enhance extrusion ability of plastic s (PE Films, pipes, tubes) leading to PRODUCTIVITY and /or QUALITY improvement. If you are not using polymer processing masterbatches today in your film or pipe extrusion processing, you are probably missing great opportunities in getting higher quality products at a lower cost. The use of polymer process aids has increased as polymer processors look for higher quality and better output of their finished products. Pure Polymers supplies an extensive range of polymer process aid masterbatches to the extrusion and molding market places. Specific formulations have been developed for polyolefins such as metallocene, styrenics, and polyamides. Application Examples Film, sheet, profile extrusion, injection moulding, and others.

Adjacent layers in PE and PP films often stick together or are “blocked” due to Van der Waals forces in the polymers’ amorphous areas. This makes blow films use difficult.
The best way to overcome this issue is using anti-block masterbatches. This masterbatch creates a thin layer on the film, eliminating the Vander Waals attraction forces between the films and preventing layers from sticking together.

The main disadvantage of adding anti-block agents based on mineral substances, is reducing the level of film transparency. This problem could be largely solved by the correct choice of raw materials, suitable formulations and correct processing.

Film anti-block quality is tested using the ASTM D-3354 Parallel Plain Method.

A slip agent is a large molecule with high molecular weight that’s extremely slimy in melted form. Adding a slip agent decreases fraction significantly, increasing the life of machinery and improving production rate.
Slip agent additives are used as lubricants in polymer based products. Over time, slip agents move to the surface of the product and form a thin and invisible layer, decreasing the friction between the surfaces.

The percent of slip agents used in LDPE and LLDPE films depends on the friction coefficient of the base resin.
Slip agents migrate over time to the surface of polymeric films where they begin to crystallization. The formed layer of slip agents on polymer surfaces, reduce friction between the different film layers. Migration phenomena in polymers is a time-dependent process which is depended on the concentration of the additive and the chain length of additives and base polymer.
How to use:
Masterbatch slip blocking is added to the consumables at the rate of 1-2%.

Antioxidants are used to protect polymers from degradation, both during processing (=short term stabilization) and during use (=long term stabilization). Polymer degradation generally results in gel formation and changing melt flow index, loss of mechanical and esthetical properties (crazing, gloss reduction, chalking), and discoloration.

Generally during polymer degradation free radicals are formed, resulting in uncontrolled chain reactions.
A complete range of anti-oxidants exist, starting from cheaper, general purpose anti-oxidants, up to anti-oxidants specially designed for high end applications like hot water pipes. High end anti-oxidants typically have better properties towards discoloration (yellowing/pinking), migration/chalking or hydro lisation .

The appearance of a product is very important. Plastic products can begin to yellow, giving them a color that negatively affects their appearance and hurts customer appeal.
The tendency of many Plastic materials to yellow is due to degradation by UV or visible light.
Optical brighteners (OBs) or fluorescent whitening agents are chemicals that manufacturers add to their products, such as papers, plastics, and textiles, to give them a brighter and cleaner surface, and reduce the rate of natural yellowing that occurs over time. OBs trick our eyes into seeing a brighter white.
These chemical are excited by wavelengths of light in the near-ultraviolet (UV) range (360 to 365 nm) and then emit light in the blue range (400 to 440 nm).