Page 357 - Handbook of Plastics Technologies

PLASTICS ADDITIVES

PLASTICS ADDITIVES 5.37

• Metal stearates (Ca, Zn, Mg)
• Paraffin waxes (MW 300-600)
• Polyethylene waxes (MW 1,000-10,000)
• Fatty alcohols and acids
• Lecithin
• Organic phosphate esters
• Fluoropolymers
• Silicones
• Antiblocking agents (diatomaceous earth, talc, calcium carbonate, silica, silicates)

5.5.5 Major Use in Polymers

5.5.5.1 Market Distribution. A breakdown of lubricant market distribution is provided
in Table 5.29.

TABLE 5.29 Use of Lubricants in Plastics

Lubricant %
Polyvinyl chloride 44
Styrenics 12

Polyolefins 7
Other thermoplastics 4
Thermosets 33
Total lubricants/total plastics 0.19

5.5.5.2 Polyvinyl Chloride. Average lubricant concentration 0.6 percent. Paraffin and
polyethylene waxes; fatty alcohols, acids, esters, and amides; calcium stearate; diatoma-
ceous earth or fumed silica for antiblocking.
5.5.5.3 Polystyrene and ABS. Average lubricant concentration 0.35 percent. One to 3
percent mineral oil, butyl oleate or stearate as internal lubricants for melt flow; 0.1 to 0.5
percent stearic acid, Zn stearate, or fatty amides for mold release. Polyethylene wax, mon-
tan wax, ethylene-bis-stearamide, or glycerol monostearate for ABS.
5.5.5.4 Polyolefins. Average lubricant concentration 0.09 percent. Two to 5 percent
polyethylene or polypropylene wax as internal lubricant; 0.25 to 1.0 percent ethylene-bis-
stearamide as internal/external lubricant; 0.1 percent erucamide and oleamide as slip
agents; 1 to 3 percent glycerol monostearate or hydrolyzed montan wax as external lubri-
cant/slip agent/antifog coating; diatomaceous earth, talc, calcium carbonate, silica, and sil-
icates as anti-blocking agents; Ca and Zn stearates; 0.05 to 0.1 percent fluoroelastomer
(VDF/HFP) in LLDPE extrusion to prevent melt fracture, die buildup, and gel particles;
also high-MW silicone for the same reasons.

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