Plastics additives reinforcements

The term s plastic, polymer, resin, elastomer, and reinforced plastic (RP) are some-what synonymous. However, polymer and resin usually denote the basic material. Whereas plastic pertains to polymers or resins containing additives, fillers, and/or reinforcements. Recognize that practically all materials worldwide contain some type of additive or ingredient. An elastomer is a rubberlike material (natural or synthetic). Reinforced plastics (also called composites although to be more accurate called plastic composites) are plastics with reinforcing additives, such as fibers and whiskers, added principally to increase the product s mechanical properties. 

In addition to the broad categories of TPs and TSs, TPs can be further classified in terms of their structure, as either crystalline, amorphous, or liquid crystalline. Other classes (terms) include elastomers, copolymers, compounds, commodity resins, engineering plastics, or neat plastics. Additives, fillers, and reinforcements are other classifications that relate directly to plastics properties and performance. 

The Tg value is reduced by the addition of moderate amounts of plasticizers (additive which reduces intermolecular forces) and is sometimes even increased by the addition of small amounts of plasticizers (antiplasticization) and optimum amounts of fillers (usually a relatively inert material used as the discontinuous phase of a composite) and reinforcements (materials such as fibrous additives which give increased strength to a polymer). 

Schlumpf H P (1990) Fillers and reinforcements, In Plastics additives handbook, Gachter R and Muller H (Eds), Hanser Publishers Munich, pp 525-591. 

Commercial polymeric materials usually contain a number of additives. Plasticizers, fillers, reinforcing agents, impact modifiers, and crosslinking agents are just a few of the many important types. 

Carbon nanotubes can be used in reinforcing polymer matrix composites in two ways a) as the sole reinforcing phase (CNTRP), or b) as an additional reinforcing phase in conjunction with carbon fibers (CF+CNT) in a hybrid composite. Carbon nanotubes reinforced plastics (CNTRP) can be prepared by several methods, as described in section 15.1.3. Both CFRP and CNTRP composite structures can be joined using structural adhesives but machining and drilling are difficult as a result of the widely different properties of their constituents. 

Schlumpf H P, Filler and Reinforcements in Plastic Additives, Ed. Gaechter R, Mueller H, Hanser Verlag, Munich, 1993. 

Gachter, R. and Muller, H. (1996) Plastics Additives Handbook Stabilizers, Processing Aids, Plasticizers, Fillers, Reinforcements, Colorants for Thermoplastics, 4 ecL, Munich, Carl Hanser Verlag Pritchard, Geoffrey (1998) Plastics Additives An A-Z Reference, London, Chapman Hall... 

Disperse oxides unmodified or modified by organics (OC) or OSC are used as fillers, adsorbents, or additives [1-11]. OSCs are used as promoters of adhesion, inhibitors of corrosion, for the stabilization of monodisperse oxides and the formation of the nanoscaled particles. Oxide modification by alcohols or other OC is of interest for synthesis of polymer fillers, as such modification leads to plasticization and reinforcement of the filled coating, but in this case a question arises about hydrolyz-ability of the =M—O—C bonds between oxide surface and alkoxy groups, as those are less stable than =M—O— M= formed, for example, upon the silica modification by silanes or siloxanes. The high dispersity, high specific surface area, and high adsorption ability of fumed oxides have an influence on their efficiency as fillers of polymer systems. 

Variety Although there are only a few basic categories of rubber polymers that make up the majority of applications, these polymers come in a wide array of distinct product grades within each category. In addition, most of these polymers are compatible with, and can be mixed freely with, other rubbery polymers to provide even more choices of properties, not to mention the virtually endless numbers of fillers, additives, reinforcing and tackifying resins, other polymer types, plasticizers, and other ingredients that can be used to further modify basic properties. 

In general, when two or more different types of polymer are mixed, they show immiscibility (separation of phases), and exhibit a dispersion of the minor phase (the dispersed phase) in the major phase (the matrix). The cohesion between these different phases is low in most cases, and so the mechanical performances of the blends produced by simple blending are generally low, and need improvement. This is of prime importance in the preparation of mnlti-layered prodncts (packaging films, bottles, and so on) or multi-material parts, as well as where plastics are reinforced by fillers or by fibres. In such cases, interfacial cohesion between different phases can be improved by the use of special additives, called adhesion promoters or compatibilisers, that act at inter-phases. 

The Resins Pocket Guide is a global information source for plastics resins, additives, reinforcements, and fillers. It includes information on suppliers, products, trade names, and sales offices. Suppliers from over fifty countries are listed with address, telephone, toll-fi-ee telephone, fax, telex, e-mail, and web information provided. Supplier representatives in 146 countries are also included with address, telephone, and fax information. The product listings include information on resins, compounds, additives, reinforcements, and fillers for 189 product categories. Each item under a product category includes supplier name, country, and trade name. 

The trade name listing includes all trade names for plastics resins, additives, reinforcements, and fillers. Each trade name is followed by a product description, supplier name, and supplier s country. 

When compared to injection molding (IM) that processes a plastic compound, RIM uses two liquid PUR chemical monomer components (polyol and isocyanate) that are mixed to produce the polymer (plastic). Additives such as catalysts, surfactants, fillers, reinforcements, and/or blowing agents are also incorporated in the reactive system that produces the basic polymer. Their purpose is to propagate the reaction and form a finished product possessing the desired properties (Table 5.9). 

Markarian J. Long fibre reinforcement drives automotive market forward. Plastics Addit Compound [trade journal—Elsevier Ltd.] May/June 2005. 

Another classification system is based on the mode of action of the additive. A plasticizing additive produces plasticized polymers irrespective of whether the additive is of low or high molar mass. Some additives work in a reinforcing manner, although the reinforced property should always be stated. For example, the tensile strength, the impact strength, or the resistance to cold flow may be improved. Since such a classification is based on the mode of action and not on the structure, block and graft polymers are sometimes classified as blends and composites. Such polymers can exist in several phases, but they are not physical mixtures. 

H.P. Schlumpf, Fillers and Reinforcements , in Plastics Additives, 4th ed., R. Gachter and H. Muller, Eds., Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich, 1993. 

Ciullo, P.A. and Robinson, S. (2002) Wollastonite - a versatile functional filler. Paints Coat. Ind. Mag., 18 (11), 50-54. http //www.rtvanderbilt.com http //www. nycominerals.com. http //www.minerals.usgs.gov. Hohenberger, W. (2001) Fillers and reinforcements/coupling agents, Chapter 17, in Plastics Additives Handbook, 5th edn (ed. H. Zweifel), Hanser Publishers, Munich,... 

---