Selection Guides

Selection Guide

BOPP Film Modifiers: Efficiently Optimize Packaging Performance

BOPP films today are preferred substrate for packaging, labeling, and lamination because of its inherent moisture barrier properties, sealability, high clarity, best possibilities of the pack being a monolayer/homogeneous structure. The expansion in the flexible packaging industry is driving the exponential growth in demand for BOPP films. Keep up with the latest ways for optimizing BOPP film performance in order to meet this growing demand. Explore here, detailed knowledge on the role of modifiers in improving processing conditions like extrudability, and thin film capacity and thus, enhance their performance properties. How to Enhance BOPP Film Performance How to Improve BOPP Film Processing...

Selection Guide

Lubricants for Polymers

Lubricants as additives for polymers assist the movement of one object passing another object. Their primary role is to reduce friction, minimize wear and prevent overheating of parts. While wear and heat cannot be completely eliminated, reducing them to negligible or acceptable levels is must to maintain performance in your application! And, the selection and use of right lubricant plays an important role here! Explore the basics of lubrication, different types of lubricants available and their properties as well as get tips to select the best suitable lubricant for your polymer applications. Review: Desired Properties of Lubricants Lubrication Theory Major Lubricants...

Selection Guide

Selection of Antistatic Agents for Polymers

Anti-static agents are used to either manage static charges during various stages of processing or to provide long-term static protection based on end-use applications. But, searching the right additive for your product among a variety of them available in the market, could be a daunting task! Get a comprehensive review of important aspects related to antistats and their chemistries along with the factors that influence selection of anti-static agents including their compatibility with various polymers like polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, fluoropolymers, and more. Review: Antistatic Strategies for Temporary or Long-Term Protection Antistatic Agents Chemistries Conductive Fillers and Additives Assessing Antistats Performance Antistatic...

Selection Guide

Pigments for Plastics: Complete Technical Guide

Pigments are organic or inorganic particles added to the polymer base to give a specific color or functional benefits the plastic. Are you searching for the detailed information on pigments for plastics? Check out here different families of pigments and colorants for the plastics industry (organic, inorganic, carbon black...) along with their key features, performance properties, and processing solutions.

Selection Guide

Selecting Plasticizers for Polymers

By Paul Daniels

Plasticizers are the most common additives used in the plastics industry. But, selecting the right plasticizer for an application has always been a daunting task. Become an expert by learning the detailed knowledge on plasticizer additives. Explore various plasticization methods along with their benefits and learn how to select the right plasticizer from the main chemical classes of plasticizers: phthalates, benzoates, adipates etc. along with their current regulatory updates.

Selection Guide

Advancements in Wood Biomass Derived Bio-products

By Pascal Xanthopoulos

Using bioresources for producing products with high added value is becoming more and more important in the context of biotechonomy. It is because of this reason that formulators are researching to create innovative, novel biomaterials with a reduced carbon footprint to reinvent coatings and other materials with a greener approach. Explore here, the latest research activities in lignin, wood hemicellulose-derived sugars, wood extracts... driving the development in biomass derived chemicals. Also, find out the list of potential barriers related to technology, market, and resources towards the development of bio-products. Review: R&D Projects for the Valorization of Wood Cellulose Wood Chemistry Reinventing...

Selection Guide

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate – Multifunctional Additive for PVC

Calcium carbonate is one of the most widely utilized minerals additives in several PVC applications. Ground calcium carbonates (GCC) are used mainly as fillers, while precipitated calcium carbonates (PCC) are multi-functional additives that can function as reinforcing fillers, processing aids and impact modifiers. Explore, in detail, about use of precipitated calcium carbonate in PVC formulations (rigid and plasticized) and understand how you can achieve high performance level in your applications. Review: What is Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC)? Precipitated Calcium Carbonate as a Processing Aid Precipitated Calcium Carbonate as a Reinforcer PCC as a Weathering-resistant Agent Applications of PCC in Rigid PVC...

Selection Guide

Selecting Heat Stabilizers for PVC

By George A. Thacker

Poly(vinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most important commercial plastic but, it is thermally unstable at processing temperatures. Therefore, heat stabilizers are widely used to safeguard the vinyl products at all stages by improving resistance of PVC products at high temperature. Due to the upsurge in the quantity of stabilizers that are marketed to the PVC industry, selecting and evaluating a stabilizer can be a cumbersome process. Review the factors that you should consider when selecting heat stabilizers for PVC with detail understanding of: Role of Heat Stabilizers in PVC Types of Heat Stabilizers for Vinyl Compounds Impact of...

Selection Guide

Antiblock Agents Selection

By Paul Seemuth

Blocking is a very common problem that occurs when adhesion develops between two smooth layers of film placed in contact with each other. Adding antiblock agents / anti-slip agents resolve this by forming barriers between surface layers and modifying frictional properties of the surface. Uncover the role of antiblock agents in polymers, their types and get tips to select the right antiblock agent for elastomers, films and rubbers.

Selection Guide

Selecting Additives for High-temperature Polymers

By Mark DeMeuse

Additives used with commodity polymers cannot give the best results with high temperature polymers. This is because of the lack of high temperature stability of these traditional additives. This fact has led to the development of specific additives that can be used with high temperature polymers. This guide will review the three main high heat additives: antioxidants, flame retardants and processing aids used with high heat polymers. Read on and uncover the features they offer in several high temperature polymers.