UNIT 4

POLYMER PROCESSING

Additives
Additives are added to polymers to change their bulk properties. Additives play more
important role in rubbers and some plastics like PVC. The additives may be solid, rubber, liquid
and gas.

Additives should be:

– efficient in their function;
– stable under processing conditions;
– stable under service conditions;
– not bleed (into adjacent material) or bloom (out to the surface);
– non-toxic and not impart tast or odour;
– not expensive & not adversely affect the properties of the polymer.
Other Additives
• Lubricants and flow promoters:
– Internal lubricants; reduce melt viscosity and promote flow.
– external lubricants; prevent sticking melt to processing equipment.
• Blowing agents: release gas at processing conditions and form cellular structure.
• Cross-linking agents: are added to thermoset polymers and rubbers to cross-link them.
• Antistatic agents: reduce the chargability of polymer, which is critical in some applications
such as packing and handling electronic chips.
• Nucleating agents: promote nucleation of spherulites in crystalline polymers, result in higher
crystallinity and smaller spherulites.
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Plasticisers
Plasticizer – a substance or material incorporated in a material (usually a plastic or elastomer)
to increase its flexibility or workability
 Will likely affect the viscosity of the formulation
 Lowers the temperature of a second-order transition
 Lowers the elastic modulus of the end product
• improve flexibility, ductility and toughness of polymers, and generally reduce hardness and
stiffness.
• External plasticisers are generally liquids with low vapour pressure and low MM.
• Internal plasticising involves adding monomers to homopolymers with high Tg.
• Plasticisers lower Tg, so at ambient temperature polymer is in rubbery situation.
• Plasticisers are usually used in polymers which are brittle at service conditions such as PVC.
• Their molecules diffuse between chains and by increasing the free volume lower Tg.
• The efficiency the plasticiser may be evaluated by a number of different semiempirical tests,
for example the depression of Tg.

Plasticizer theories
• Lubrication theory : palsticiser molecules diffuse between the chains in amorphous regions and
allow them to slip over each other more easily.
• Solvation theory: palsticiser dissolves the polymer.
• Gel (thermodynamic) theory: palsticiser molecules diffuse between the chains in amorphous
regions, reducing the number of points of attachment between chains, form weak bonds with
them.
• Free volume theory: palsticiser molecules diffuse between the chains in amorphous regions and
increase free volume.

Classes of plasticizers
Adipates Azelates
Benzoates Citrates
Epoxidized oils Ethers
Fatty acid esters Glycerol esters
Glycols and glycol esters Hydrocarbons
Paraffins (halogenated) Pentaerytheritol esters
Phosphates Phthalates
Polyesters Soy and other oil derivatives
Stearates Sulphonamides
Sulfonates Terephthalates
Terpenes and derivative Trimellitates

Benefits
Viscosity reduction - easier compounding
Cost reduction – plasticizers cost less than base polymer and allow for higher filler loading
Reduced glass transition temperature – lower tensile strength, hardness and increased
elongation

Limitations
Concentration limited to less than 30% by weight
Compatibility must be tested with specific formulations – no one size fits all plasticizer
Migration issues lead to decreased performance over time
Some monomeric plasticizers do not hold up under extreme conditions and polymeric
plasticizers are expensive

Plasticizer selection parameters

Compatibility
Efficiency
Permanence
Processability
Regulations

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Stabilizers (Anti-aging additives)

The properties of polymers usually change during processing and service life in an
adverse manner (degradation). The corresponding changes in the structure are:
• Chain scission, resulting in a loss in strength and toughness;
• Cross-linking, leading to hardening, brittleness, changes in solubility;
• Development of chromophoric groups, leading to colour formation;
• Development of polar groups such as carbonyl in polyolefins.
• Classification of stabilizers:
– Antioxidants
– Antiozonants
– Light stabilizers

Light Stabilisers
Light and oxygen induce degradatin reactions in polymers that may lead to discoloration,
surface cracking, hardening and electrical properties. In most cases these reactions are
undesirable, so they must be prevented or reduced. The greatest demage is caused by short
wavelengths (UV).
Three methods are used against photodegradations:
– Light screens: absorb damaging radiation before reaches the polymer;
– UV absorbers: is a form of screen that absorb primarily in the UV range;
– Quenching agants: react with activated polymer molecules

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Colourants
Methods for colouring polymers:
• Surface coating (painting);
• Surface dyeing;
• introduction of colour-forming groups into the polymer molecule;
• Mass colouration (the most common method).
Available forms of pigments for processing:
• Liquid pigment concentrate; example: plasticiser paste for colouration of PVC.
• Solid pigment concentrates; pigment is dispersed in a solid carrier.
• Special pigment mixtures; are combinations of dispersible inorganic pigments and/or fillers
with organic pigment of lower dispersibility
General properties of colourant/polymer system:
• Thermal stability; colourants must be stable at high T of processing.
• Light fastness; colourants can be degraded by light and the colour changes.
• Weathering resistance; other factors are UV, oxygen, heat, moisture, atmospheric impurities
such as SO2, SH2, ozone.
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Flame Retardants
Polymers are combustible. In some applications such as construction, furniture,
transportation and electrical equipment, polymers should be resistance against fire. Flame
retardants can impair the properties of polymer, so a compromise should be found between
decrease in performance and desired improvement in fire safety.

An ideal flame retardant should be:

– compatible with polymer (not bleed out);
– not alter mechanical properties;
– colourless and odourless;
– resistant to aging, hydrolysis and photodegradation;
– starts to be effective at temperatures below decomposition T of polymer;
– not corrosive;
– thermal resistant;
– not emit toxic gases and emit only low levels of smoke

Mechanisms of Flame Retardancy

Flame retardants function by four mechanisms:
• Chemically interferring with the flame propagation mechanism;
• producing large volume of incombustible gases which dilute air;
• reacting, decomposing or changing state endothermically (absorbing heat);
• forming impervious fire-resistant coating and preventing access of oxygen to polymer.

Important classes of flame retardants:

• Halogen-containing (Cl-, Br-);
• Phosphorous-containing;
• Inorganic; like Al(OH)3
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FIRE RETARDANTS

The reduction of fire risk, defined as the probability of the occurrence of fire and of fire
hazard, which concerns the consequences of fires, has become a compulsory requirement for
many applications of polymer materials. This most challenging task is affecting the use of a
number of the fire retardants that have been instrumental in the exceptional expansion of
polymer materials and modern technologies, because they are characterized by low fire risk and
high versatility. However, their mechanism of fire retardancy involves potential hazards that are
no longer considered acceptable.
 Polymeric materials are commonly used in everyday day life increasing fire hazards and
so flame retardants are very often incorporated into them to limit their flammability. The
flammability behavior of polymers is defined on the basis of several processes and/or
parameters, such as burning rates (solid degradation rate and heat release rate), spread rates
(flame, pyrolysis, burn-out, smolder), ignition characteristics (delay time, ignition temperature,
critical heat flux for ignition), product distribution (in particular, toxic species emissions), smoke
production, etc.

Three approaches can then be considered to reduce the flammability of polymers: (i) to
use inherently flame retarded polymers (e.g. poly(tetrafluoroethylene), polyoxazoles, poly-
(ether-ether ketone) or polyimides); (ii) to chemically modify existing polymers (e.g.
copolymerisation of flame-retardant monomer into PET chains or organic/inorganic hybrid
polymers such as epoxy resin prepared from silsesquioxanes); (iii) to incorporate flame
retardants into polymers via usual procedures.
 (I) POLYMER ADDITIVES
Most of the properties of polymers discussed earlier in this chapter are intrinsic ones—that is,
characteristic of or fundamental to the specific polymer. Some of these properties are related to
and controlled by the molecular structure. Many times, however, it is necessary to modify the
mechanical, chemical, and physical properties to a much greater degree than is possible by the
simple alteration of this fundamental molecular structure. Foreign substances called additives are
intentionally introduced to enhance or modify many of these properties, and thus render a
polymer more serviceable. Typical additives include filler materials, plasticizers, stabilizers,
colorants, and flame retardants.

Filler materials are most often added to polymers to improve tensile and compressive strengths,
abrasion resistance, toughness, dimensional and thermal stability, and other properties. Materials
used as particulate fillers include wood flour (finely powdered sawdust), silica flour and sand,
glass, clay, talc, limestone, and even some synthetic polymers. Particle sizes range all the way
from 10 nm to macroscopic dimensions. Often the fillers are inexpensive materials that replace
some volume of the more expensive polymer, reducing the cost of the final product.

Plasticizers: The flexibility, ductility, and toughness of polymers may be improved with the aid
of additives called plasticizers. Their presence also produces reductions in hardness and stiffness.
Plasticizers are generally liquids having low vapor pressures and low molecular weights. The
small plasticizer molecules occupy positions between the large polymer chains, effectively
increasing the interchain distance with a reduction in the secondary intermolecular bonding.
Plasticizers are commonly used in polymers that are intrinsically brittle at room temperature,
such as poly(vinyl chloride) and some of the acetate copolymers. The plasticizer lowers the glass
transition temperature, so that at ambient conditions the polymers may be used in applications
requiring some degree of pliability and ductility. These applications include thin sheets or films,
tubing, raincoats, and curtains.

Stabilizers: Some polymeric materials, under normal environmental conditions, are subject to
rapid deterioration, generally in terms of mechanical integrity. Additives that counteract
deteriorative processes are called stabilizers. One common form of deterioration results from
exposure to light [in particular ultraviolet (UV) radiation]. Ultraviolet radiation interacts with
and causes a severance of some of the covalent bonds along the molecular chains, which may
also result in some crosslinking. There are two primary approaches to UV stabilization. The first
is to add a UV absorbent material, often as a thin layer at the surface. This essentially acts as a
sunscreen and blocks out the UV radiation before it can penetrate into and damage the polymer.
The second approach is to add materials that react with the bonds broken by UV radiation before
they can participate in other reactions that lead to additional polymer damage. It is a consequence
of the chemical interaction between oxygen [as either diatomic oxygen (O2) or ozone (O3)] and
the polymer molecules. Stabilizers that protect against oxidation either consume oxygen before it
reaches the polymer, and/or they prevent the occurrence of oxidation reactions that would further
damage the material.

Colorants impart a specific color to a polymer; they may be added in the form of dyes or
pigments. The molecules in a dye actually dissolve in the polymer. Pigments are filler materials
that do not dissolve, but remain as a separate phase; normally they have a small particle size and
a refractive index near to that of the parent polymer. Others may impart opacity as well as color
to the polymer.

Flame Retardants: The flammability of polymeric materials is a major concern, especially in the
manufacture of textiles and children’s toys. Most polymers are flammable in their pure form;
exceptions include those containing significant contents of chlorine and/or fluorine, such as
poly(vinyl chloride) and polytetrafluoroethylene. The flammability resistance of the remaining
combustible polymers may be enhanced by additives called flame retardants. These retardants
may function by interfering with the combustion process through the gas phase, or by initiating a
different combustion reaction that generates less heat, thereby reducing the temperature; this
causes a slowing or cessation of burning.

MOLDING
Molding is the most common method for forming plastic polymers. The several molding
techniques used include compression, transfer, blow, injection, and extrusion molding. For each,
a finely pelletized or granulized plastic is forced, at an elevated temperature and by pressure, to
flow into, fill, and assume the shape of a mold cavity.

1. Compression and Transfer Molding

For compression molding, the appropriate amounts of thoroughly mixed polymer and necessary
additives are placed between male and female mold members. Both mold pieces are heated;
however, only one is movable. The mold is closed, and heat and pressure are applied, causing the
plastic to become viscous and flow to conform to the mold shape. Before molding, raw materials
may be mixed and cold pressed into a disc, which is called a preform. Preheating of the preform
reduces molding time and pressure, extends the die lifetime, and produces a more uniform
finished piece. This molding technique lends itself to the fabrication of both thermoplastic and
thermosetting polymers; however, its use with thermoplastics is more time-consuming and
expensive than the more commonly used extrusion or injection molding techniques discussed
below. In transfer molding, a variation of compression molding, the solid ingredients are first
melted in a heated transfer chamber. As the molten material is injected into the mold chamber,
the pressure is distributed more uniformly over all surfaces. This process is used with
thermosetting polymers and for pieces having complex geometries.
 2. Injection Molding
Injection molding, the polymer analogue of die casting for metals, is the most widely used
technique for fabricating thermoplastic materials. The correct amount of pelletized material is
fed from a feed hopper into a cylinder by the motion of a plunger or ram. This charge is pushed
forward into a heating chamber where it is forced around a spreader so as to make better contact
with the heated wall. As a result, the thermoplastic material melts to form a viscous liquid. Next,
the molten plastic is impelled, again by ram motion, through a nozzle into the enclosed mold
cavity; pressure is maintained until the molding has solidified. Finally, the mold is opened, the
piece is ejected, the mold is closed, and the entire cycle is repeated. Probably the most
outstanding feature of this technique is the speed with which pieces may be produced. For
thermoplastics, solidification of the injected charge is almost immediate; consequently, cycle
times for this process are short (commonly within the range of 10 to 30 s).Thermosetting
polymers may also be injection molded; curing takes place while the material is under pressure
in a heated mold, which results in longer cycle times than for thermoplastics. This process is
sometimes termed reaction injection molding (RIM) and is commonly used for materials such as
polyurethane.

3. Extrusion
The extrusion process is the molding of a viscous thermoplastic under pressure through an open-
ended die, similar to the extrusion of metals. A mechanical screw or auger propels through a
chamber the pelletized material, which is successively compacted, melted, and formed into a
continuous charge of viscous fluid. Extrusion takes place as this molten mass is forced through a
die orifice. Solidification of the extruded length is expedited by blowers, a water spray, or bath.
The technique is especially adapted to producing continuous lengths having constant cross-
sectional geometries—for example, rods, tubes, hose channels, sheets, and filaments.

4. Blow Molding
The blow-molding process for the fabrication of plastic containers is similar to that used for
blowing glass bottles. First, a parison, or length of polymer tubing, is extruded. While still in a
semimolten state, the parison is placed in a two-piece mold having the desired container
configuration. The hollow piece is formed by blowing air or steam under pressure into the
parison, forcing the tube walls to conform to the contours of the mold. Of course the temperature
and viscosity of the parison must be carefully regulated.

5. Casting
Like metals, polymeric materials may be cast, as when a molten plastic material is poured into a
mold and allowed to solidify. Both thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics may be cast. For
thermoplastics, solidification occurs upon cooling from the molten state; however, for
thermosets, hardening is a consequence of the actual polymerization or curing process, which is
usually carried out at an elevated temperature.
 (II) ADDITIVES USED IN PLASTICS

 Mineral Reinforcement/Fillers: improve stiffness, surface hardness, cost reduction

 Dyes and Pigments: color & appearance
 Antioxidants & stabilizers: delay/prevent oxidation during processing/application
 UV Stabilizers: interfere with light-induced degradation, weathering
 Blowing Agents: production of foams, weight reduction
 Lubricants: improvement in processing, release properties
 Coupling Agents: impart compatibility between polymer & additives
 Antistats/Conductives: prevent electrostatic discharge, improve conductivity
 Antimicrobials: prevent microbiological attack and property degradation
 Impact Modifiers: enhance toughness of material to impact
 Optical Brighteners: enhance appearance, off-set yellow color
 Flame Retardants: prevent ignition & flame spread, prolong escape time

The Plastic Molding Processes:

1. Injection Molding
In Injection Molding, melted plastic is forced into a mold cavity. Once cooled, the mold can be
removed. This plastic molding process is commonly used in mass-production or prototyping of a
product. Injection molding machines were made in the 1930’s. These can be used to mass
produce toys, kitchen utensils, bottle caps, and cell phone stands to name a few.

2. Blow Molding
Blow molding is like injection molding except that hot liquid plastic pours out of a barrel
vertically in a molten tube. The mold closes on it and forces it outward to conform to the inside
shape of the mold. When it is cooled, the hollow part is formed. Examples of blow molding
products are bottles, tubes and containers. Equipments needed in setting-up a blow molding
business are relatively higher than injection molding.
3. Compression Molding
In this type of plastic molding, a slug of hard plastic is pressed between two heated mold halves.
Compression molding usually uses vertical presses instead of the horizontal presses used for
injection and blow molding. The parts formed are then air-cooled. Prices of equipments used for
compression molding are moderate.
4. Film Insert Molding
This plastic molding technique imbeds an image beneath the surface of a molded part. A material
like film or fabric is inserted into a mold. Plastic is then injected.
5. Gas Assist Molding
Also called gas injection molding is used to create plastic parts with hollow interiors. Partial shot
of plastic is then followed by high-pressure gas to fill the mold cavity with plastic.
6. Rotational Molding
Hollow molds packed with powdered plastic are secured to pipe-like spokes that extend from a
central hub. The molds rotate on separate axes at once. The hub swings the whole mold to a
closed furnace room causing the powder to melt and stick to the insides of the tools. As the
molds turn slowly, the tools move into a cooling room. Here, sprayed water causes the plastic to
harden into a hollow part. In this type of plastic molding, tooling costs are low and piece prices
are high. Cycle time takes about 40-45 minutes.
7. Structural Foam Molding
Structural foam molding is a process of plastic molding usually used for parts that require thicker
walls than standard injection molding. Inserting a small amount of nitrogen or chemical blow
agent into the plastic material makes the walls thicker. Foaming happens as the melted plastic
material enters the mold cavity. A thin plastic skin forms and solidifies in the mold wall. This
type of plastic molding can be used with any thermoplastic that can be injection molded.
8. Thermoforming
In this plastic molding process, sheets of pre-extruded rigid plastics are horizontally heated and
sucked down into hollow one-piece tools. When the hot plastic solidifies, its shape conforms to
that of the mold. Tooling costs are usually low and piece prices vary on the machinery.
 (III) ADDITIVES USED IN ELASTOMER

Fillers
Fillers are added primarily to provide reinforcement and secondly to reduce cost. They fall into
two basic categories: reinforcing or semi-reinforcing, and diluent (non-reinforcing, generally for
cheapening).
Accelerators
These speed up the cure. Modifications in their levels can control the cure speed and elastomer
properties. It is common to use more than one accelerator in a formulation. Peroxide cured
materials often use what is known as a co-agent along with the peroxide which can act like an
accelerator or modify the physical properties.
Activators
In most sulphur-cured rubbers, zinc oxide and stearic acid are added to help initiate the cure. In
other rubbers, different materials are added which assist the cure in an indirect way.
Blowing agents
Blowing agents are used in the manufacture of sponge rubber. Sodium bicarbonate was the first
commercially used blowing agent, which reacts with stearic acid to produce carbon dioxide
at vulcanisation temperatures. Today’s commonly used blowing agents rely on the formation of
nitrogen as the expansion agent.
Bonding promoters
Most large volume elastomer products are bonded composites, such as tyres, hoses and belts.
Bonding agents are often added to the compound to increase the bond strength between the
different components. Agents include cobalt-based salts such as cobalt naphthenate or cobalt
stearate as well as proprietary materials based on cobalt and boron complexes.
Co-agents
Co-agents are reactive substances which improve the effectiveness ofperoxide cross-linking.
Most of them are methacrylates or derivatives containing allyls (H2C=CH-CH2-), but polymeric
materials with a high content of vinyl groups also react in a similar way. Sulphur and sulphur
donors can also be used. Their effects may be explained by the co-agent suppressing undesirable
side reactions between the polymer radicals.
Coupling agents
Coupling agents provide a stable bond between two otherwise poorly bonding surfaces, for
example, silanes added to mineral fillers to bond to polymers.
Curatives
Added to form cross-links, these vary according to the type of elastomer. In sulphur-cured
rubbers, sulphur donors as opposed to sulphur give better heat stability as they tend to give single
sulphur cross-links. Peroxide cures give good thermal stability due to the short length of the
cross-links between polymer chains. Fluorocarbons, along with some other polymer types, can
have their own specialised cure systems.
Desiccants
For a number of applications, it is necessary to add a desiccant to remove traces of water
introduced in fillers or produced from chemical reactions during vulcanisation. Failure to remove
this water can result in uncontrolled porosity in the product and problems where the cure is
sensitive to moisture. The usual agent used for this purpose is calcium oxide (quicklime). It is
difficult to disperse in its dry powder form so it is usually offered in a variety of carrying media
to ensure adequate dispersion and help prevent moisture take up prior to incorporation in the
compound.
Extenders
Extenders are compounding ingredients that are added to the elastomer to reduce the cost of the
compound.
Flame retardants
Most elastomers support combustion, and the resulting by-products can be extremely hazardous.
To improve their flame resistance a number of products may be added to the compound, either
inorganic or organic. They include antimony trioxide, zinc borate, aluminium hydroxide and
chlorinated paraffins.
Odorants and deodorants
This class of compounding ingredient was more common in the days when natural rubber was
the main rubber for production. The early forms of natural rubber gave products with a distinct
aroma and to overcome this a wide range of odorants was offered. Many of the synthetic rubbers
have their own distinct aroma and often this has to be masked to make the final product
acceptable to the user.
Peptisers
Peptisers are substances that act as chain terminating agents during mastication of rubber. While
natural rubber is usually masticated and can be peptised, this is unnecessary for most synthetic
rubbers. Peptisers may also act as pro-oxidants. They significantly reduce the time required to
lower the viscosity of the rubber to a workable level, thereby cutting mixing time and energy.
Although many materials, such as some accelerators, are known to possess chemical peptising
activity, in practice the choice is limited due to additional considerations such as health and
safety, effect on vulcanisation characteristics and price.
Pigments
Although most rubber compounds are black, due to the widespread use of carbon black as a
filler, coloured rubber compounds are frequently required to add appeal to consumer items.
Colour coding of products is also often desirable. Inorganic or organic pigments are available.
Inorganic pigments are often dull and in some cases too opaque to provide the desired colour.
They are insoluble and thus cannot bloom. Organic pigments generally give brighter shades but
are more sensitive to heat and chemicals and are also relatively expensive. They can also fade
badly in long-term exposure to sunlight.
Plasticisers/process aids
Plasticisers need to be compatible with the polymer. They reduce hardness with a given level of
filler, and can help with filler incorporation and dispersion. Special types of plasticiser can
improve the low temperature flexibility of some rubber types (eg, nitrile and neoprene). Process
aids can also assist with filler dispersion, although they are normally added to improve
processability downstream.
Protectants/antidegradants
These materials are added to inhibit attack by oxidation and ozone. Antidegradants fall into two
broad groups – amines (staining) and phenolics (non-staining), with the latter able to be used in
nonblack compounds. Some anti-ozonants (such as waxes) can bloom to the surface and give
similar problems to plasticisers/process aids.
Retarders
Retarders are used to prevent premature curing, or scorching, of compounds during processing
and storing. During mixing and further processing in a calender, extruder or moulding press,
the elastomer is continuously subjected to heat which can result in premature curing, or pre-
curing. To prevent this, retarders are mixed with the compound. Excessive use of retarders
results in porosity in compounds and they are rarely used today.
Tackifiers
Tackifiers are compounding ingredients introduced to enhance the surface tack of uncured
elastomers. They are usually low-molecular weight compounds.

Polymer optical properties

Optical properties of polymers, such as, gloss, transparency, clarity, haze, colour, surface aspect
and refractive index, are closely linked to our perception of a plastic product’s quality and visual
performance. Polymer optical properties testing will bring you the insight to accelerate
development and optimise or troubleshoot production. Optical properties are dependent on the
specific polymer or copolymer material, the formulation (colourants, fillers, plasticizers and
other additives) and the crystallinity (/polymers/x-ray-diffraction-composites/) of the materials.
But also mechanical and chemical degradation or aging processes and the mechanical conditions
and / or temperature treatments applied during processing influence the optical properties of
polymers and polymer formulations. Any negative impact to a polymer’s optical properties -
such as aging - can affect the product’s lifetime, even whilst the functional or mechanical
properties still meet specifications.
ADDITIVES USED IN RUBBER

Processing and Dispersing Agents

A rubber soluble zinc soap of high molecular weight that provides a rapid physical peptization
of natural rubber. It starts to be effective in the lower temperature range of compounding and
can be used for mastication in a separate stage as well as for single stage mixing.

Activators

Multifunctional cure activators for the sulfur vulcanization of diene rubber, especially natural
rubber. They can partly or totally replace conventional activators based on fatty acids (stearic
acid, zinc stearate, and zinc 2-ethylhexanoate) and impart excellent reversion resistance. They
can also be used as an effective physical peptizer for the mastication of natural rubber to improve
processability in mixing, extrusion and molding. “LM” is designed for low shear and low
temperature mixes.
Coated Metal Oxides

Coated zinc oxide with 91% ZnO for natural and synthetic rubber compounds, Coated
magnesium oxide with 75% MgO for natural and synthetic rubber compounds, especially for CR
and CSM. Provides protection against humidity and carbon dioxide.
Coated Sulfur

These coated sulfurs contain dispersing and wetting agents and can be used to enhance sulfur
dispersion in any natural or synthetic rubber compound. They are active dispersions of oil treated
sulfur at the following activities: SU 95AF = 95% (soluble), SU 109A = 75% (insoluble), SU
120A = 83% (soluble), SU 135A = 75% (½ soluble and ½ insoluble)
Homogenizing Agents

A lubricant/homogenizer combination which improves the mixing behavior of rubber

compounds and promotes dispersion of reinforcing materials such as carbon black. Benefits have
been found in the tire industry, particularly where solution SBR and NR are used.
Peptizers

A peptizer in NR and has a limited effect on synthetic rubber (oil extended SBR and butyl
rubber). It can be used on a mill or in an internal mixer. It causes splitting of the molecular
chains which will reduce the molecular weight and make the rubber increasingly plastic
Silane Coupling Agents

These materials provide coupling of most non-black fillers to the polymer backbone allowing
for: improved abrasion resistance, higher compound modulus, lower hysteresis, improved
compression set, and in tire tread compounds improved rolling resistance.
Plasticizers

An easily soluble plasticizer used to improve the low temperature flexibility of all commonly
used rubbers. NBR vulcanizates can be compounded with flexibility at temperatures as low as -
55°C.
Polyethylene Waxes

A blend of low molecular weight polyethylene waxes that offers improved performance and/or
processing of hot melt adhesives. It can modify viscosity, improve bond strength, provide anti-
blocking, and reduce solvent gelation.
Slip Agents (Amides)

These unsaturated fatty primary amides function by migrating to the surface in a microscopic
coating which reduces the coefficient of friction.
Tackifying Resins

This product can be used as a high performance tackifier for natural and synthetic elastomers for
improving long term building tack in compounds and cements.