Elf-Atochem

Sodium antimonate contains less antimony than either antimony trioxide or pentoxide and is thus less effective. However, its unique pH and low refractive index makes the antimonate the most desirable synergist for polymers that hydrolyze when processed with acidic additives or in polymers for which deep color tones are specified. Sodium antimonate costs approximately 3.30—4.40/kg and can be obtained from either Elf Atochem NA under the Thermoguard name or from Anzon Inc. as a Timinox product. 

Mixed Metal Antimony Synergists Worldwide scarcities of antimony have prompted manufacturers to develop synergists that contain less antimony. Other metals have been found to work in concert with antimony to form a synergist that is as effective as antimony alone. Thermoguard CPA from Elf Atochem NA, which contains zinc in addition to antimony, can be used instead of antimony oxide in flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as well as some polyolefin appHcations. The Oncor and AZ products which contain siUcon, zinc, and phosphoms from Anzon Inc. can be used in a similar manner. The mixed metal synergists are 10 to 20% less expensive than antimony trioxide. 

Storage and Shipment. VDF or HFC-1132a is stored and shipped in gas cylinders or high pressure tube trailers without polymerization inhibitor and is placarded as flammable compressed gas. Terpenes or quinones can be added to inhibit polymerization. Elf Atochem North America, Inc. and Ausimont USA, Inc. supply VDE in the United States other producers are in Japan and Europe. 

Because of its excekent combination of properties, processibkity, and relatively low price compared to other fluoropolymers, PVDF has become the largest volume fluoropolymer after PTFE consumption in the United States has grown from zero in 1960 to about 6200 metric tons in 1991 (186). About 49% of the consumed volume is PVDF modified by copolymerization with 5—12-wt % HFP to enhance flexibkity. In 1992, Hst price for homopolymer powders was 15.32/kg, and for pekets 15.42/kg the reported market price was 14.09—14.22/kg (187). In the United States, almost ak PVDF is suppHed by Ausimont USA, Inc., Elf Atochem North America, Inc., and Solvay Polymers, Inc. Ausimont and Elf Atochem are producers Solvay is an importer of the resin. Smak amounts of resin are imported from Germany by Huls America, Inc, and from Japan by Kureha Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. PVDE producers and their trademarks are Hsted in Table 4. 

Elf Atochem North America, Inc. United States Kynar... 

Extrusion ofKjnarandKjnarFlexPolj(vinjlidene Fluoride) (PJCDF), Technical Data, Elf Atochem North America Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., Apr. 1990. 

K. Bodagudur and P. Branigan, Elf Atochem NA, internal standard test method, Rahway, N.J., 1971. 

Peroxide-Ketazine Process. Elf Atochem in France operates a process patented by Produits Chimiques Ugine Kuhhnaim (PCUK). Hydrogen peroxide (qv), rather than chlorine or hypochlorite, is used to oxidize ammonia. The reaction is carried out in the presence of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) at atmospheric pressure and 50°C. The ratio of H202 MEK NH2 used is 1 2 4. Hydrogen peroxide is activated by acetamide and disodium hydrogen phosphate (117). Eigure 6 is a simplified flow sheet of this process. The overall reaction results in the formation of methyl ethyl ketazine [5921-54-0] (39) and water ... 

Comparison to the Raschig Process. The economics of this peroxide process in comparison to the Raschig or hypochlorite—ketazine processes depend on the relative costs of chlorine, caustic, and hydrogen peroxide. An inexpensive source of peroxide would make this process attractive. Its energy consumption could be somewhat less, because the ketazine in the peroxide process is recovered by decantation rather than by distillation as in the hypcochlorite process. A big advantage of the peroxide process is the elimination of sodium chloride as a by-product this is important where salt discharge is an environmental concern. In addition to Elf Atochem, Mitsubishi Gas (Japan) uses a peroxide process. 

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