Applications in Thermoplastics

Typical product applications for hollow organic spheres are shoe soles of TPU, SBS or PVC, synthetic wine stoppers, cables, extruded profiles, hoses, and interior auto- 

Material Expancel microsphere grade Addition [%) Temperature ( C) Density (kg/m ) Density reduction (1 

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Aliphatic isocyanates have a small but growing market application in thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU). Medical appflcafions include wound dressings, catheters, implant devices, and blood bags. A security glass system using light-stable TPU as an inner layer is under evaluation for shatterproof automotive windshield appflcafions. 

Stepwise addition polymerization is used in the preparation of segmented polyurethanes (compare Sect. 4.2.1), e.g., poly(ester ether) urethanes which also find application in thermoplastic elastomers. Here, both blocks are preformed separately and are linked together by reaction with isocyanates ... 

Many of the chemical and physical properties of mineral fillers are important in their application in thermoplastics. These include purity, specific gravity, hardness, electrical, thermal and optical properties, surface area, particle shape and size. The determination and importance of many of these has been covered in several reviews [65,66]. Only a brief coverage is given here for the less ambiguous properties such as specific gravity, hardness and standard thermal and optical properties, with most attention being concentrated on properties such as size and shape which have been found to give particular problems in measurement and interpretation. 

Titanate coupling agents have been found to offer corrosion resistance12 and to give improved age and water resistance in reinforced plastics.13 Their application in thermoplastics has been discussed in detail,1415 the requirements of a coupling agent have been established16,17 and the theory of their use has been described.18 A summary of the different types of structure, with examples, is available.17... 

Some Technological Applications in Thermoplastic Processing 4.1 General Aspects... 

Melamine diborate (MB), known in the fire-retardant trade as melamine borate, is a white powder, which can be prepared readily from melamine and boric acid. It is partly soluble in water and acts as an afterglow suppressant and a char promoter in cellulosic materials. Budenheim Iberica79 claims that, in a 1 1 combination with APP, MB (10%-15%) can be used for phenolic bound nonwoven cotton fibers. In general, melamine borate can be used as a char promoter in intumescent systems for various polymers including polyolefins or elastomers. However, its low dehydration temperature (about 130°C) limits its application in thermoplastics that are processed at above 130°C. Melamine borate is also reported to suppress afterglow combustion in flame-proofing textiles with APP or monoammonium phosphate to meet the German DIN 53,459 and Nordtest NT-Fire 002.80... 

Polymist F-5, F-5A, F-5A EX, F-510, XPH-284 free-flowing PTFE powders for applications in thermoplastic and thermosetting resins, printing inks, paints, oils and greases, and rubber. The lower the number the smaller the particle size. The XPH 284 is in comphance with FDA regulation 21CFR 177.1550 and it is recommended for articles intended for use in contact with food. 

Boyer, N.E., Substimted norbomene compounds and their applications in thermoplastic polymer compositions, Borg-Wamer, U.S. Patent Appl. US 3928507, 1975 Chem. Abstr, 84, 90938, 1976. 

Examples of inert or extender fillers include china clay (kaolin), talc, and calcium carbonate. Calcinm carbonate is an important filler, with a particle size of about 1 pm. It is a natural product from sedimentary rocks and is separated into chalk, limestone, and marble. In some cases, the calcium carbonate may be treated to improve interaction with the thermoplastic. Glass spheres are also used as thermoplastic fillers. They may be either solid or hollow, depending on the particular application. Talc is a filler with a lamellar particle shape. It is a namral, hydrated magnesium silicate with good slip properties. Kaolin and mica are also natural materials with lamellar structures. Other fillers include woUastonite, silica, barium sulfate, and metal powders. Carbon black is used as a filler primarily in the rnbber industry, but it also finds application in thermoplastics for conductivity, for UV protection, and as a pigment. Fillers in fiber form are often used in thermoplastics. Types of fibers inclnde cotton, wood flour, fiberglass, and carbon. Table 1.3 shows the fillers and their forms. An overview of some typical fillers and their effect on properties is shown in Table 1.4. Considerable research interest exists for the incorporation of nanoscale fillers into polymers. This aspect will be discussed in later chapters. 

Nechwatal et al. 2003). Testing procedures have also been reported assessing biofiber applications in thermoplastic material by examining surface treatments and interfacial bonding components (Zafeiropoulos et al. 2002). 

Martin, T.A., Christie, G.R., Bhattacharyya, D. (1997) Grid strain analysis and its applications in thermoplastic sheet forming, in Composite Sheet Forming, (ed. D. Bhattacharyya), Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 217-246. 

Toughening of polymers with rubber has seen greatest application in thermoplastic resins. However, the technology has also been extended to... 

Van Den Oever, M. J. A. Boeriu, C. G. Blaauw, R. Van Haveren, J. Colorants based on renewable resources and food-grade colorants for application in thermoplastics. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2004, 92, 2961-2969. 

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