Antistatic agents for polymers

Alkanesulfonates are preferably used as an internal antistatic agent for plastics, but where incorporation into the polymer is not possible they can be applied to the surface of the finished article in the form of a 1 % aqueous solution of the surfactant by spraying or dipping [99]. 

Oxadiazole derivatives have been tested in the textile industry as antistatic agents for textile finishes,232,233 thermally stable polymers,82, 234,235 fluorescent whiteners,236 oil and water repellents on cotton and wool,237 and blue dyes for polyesters and polyamides.238 Oxadiazole merocyanine dyes have been patented as photosensitizers for silver halide emulsions.239... 

The selection of an antistatic agent for a given polymer is based on its chemical composition. Accordingly, antistatic agents can be divided in many groups, as presented below. 

CAS 10595-49-0 Empirical C HuNjOsS Properties Olf-wh. to It. tan powd. m.w. 410 Toxicology LD50 (oral, rat) 1.8 g/kg, (skin, rabbit) 2.8 g/kg relatively low toxicity, but mod. to severely irritating to skin and eyes Uses Antistatic agent for PVC, PS, polyolefins, ABS for pkg., electronic and polymer deflashing applies., and surface coatings Trade Names Cyastat LS... 

Ethylene and propylene glycols and their low polymers with the ability to absorb and retain moisture act as softening, plasticizing, and antistatic agents for hydrophilic textile fibers. Treatment with waxes such as paraffin emulsions impart water repellency to cellulose fabrics, but the effect is not permanent. Silicones impart water repellency to all fabrics. 

Non-Polymer Areas Used in solvent and non-aqueous systems. Paints, rust inhibitors and lubricants. Wetting and antistat agent for polyethylene. Adjuvant for agricultural chemical applications. 

Examples of external antistatic agents for PE (a polymer of very low conductivity see Table 7.1) are substances containing many hydroxyl, amine or amide groups being able to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds. lonizable... 

Other industrial uses for esterquats reported in the literature are as frictional resistance reducers for aqueous media [178] and as antistatic agents for thermoplastic polymers, especially polyvinyl chloride [179]. 

For the reasons pointed out above, there is a need of adding antistatic agents to polymers. The field of application of antistatic additives include (1, pp. 213) ... 

Uses Antistat and mold release agent for polyoleflns internal lubricant for rigid PVC melt flow enhancer, pigment dispersant/wetfing agent for polymer lems direct food substance... 

Antistatic polystyrenes have been developed in terms of additives or coatings to minimise primarily dust collecting problems in storage (see Antistatic agents). Large Hsts of commercial antistatic additives have been pubhshed (41). For styrene-based polymers, alkyl and/or aryl amines, amides, quaternary ammonium compounds, anionics, etc, are all used. 

Table 8. Commercially Available Internal Antistatic Agents and the Polymers for Which They Are Recommended ...

There are some applications for a-sulfo fatty acid esters in the production and processing of synthetic materials or natural rubber. Emulsifiers are needed for the emulsion polymerization, antistatic agents improve the properties of polymers, and wetting agents are needed as parting components for elastomers. 

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