Electrostatic charges are generated by the contact between and friction of two materials with a different susceptibility to lose electrones; one of these materials loses electrons and is positively charged, while the other one gets electrones and is negatively charged. 

The magnitude of the charge depends on the degree of contact and friction, on the surrounding atmosphere and on the electric characteristics of the thermoplastic material, like the dielectric constant  and resistivity.

Plastics, in particular polyolefins, combine high resistivity (they don’t discharge easily) and low dielectric constant (they accumulate charges). These characteristics create undesirable effects like:

• Attraction of environmental dust to the surface of the product
• Difficulty in the manipulation of the product
•  Possible explosion or fire in an accidental discharge

In order to modify these properties, we have developed different Marterbatch which give the final product the adequate properties, fulfilling the following requirements:  

• CONSISTENCY IN THE FINAL EFFECT
• GOOD ACTION IN COMMON POLYMERS
• COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER ADDITIVES
• THERMAL STABILITY
• SUFFICIENT POLARITY TO INCREMENT SUPERFICIAL CONDUCTIVITY AND HIGROSCOPY TO ADEQUATE LEVELS
• DUST CONTROL ON FINAL PRODUCT (E.G.: COSMETIC INDUSTRY)

These are some of our antistatic marterbatches

We have developed different Marterbatches to stabilise polyolefins during exposure to ultraviolet rays.

This is indispensable given that fact that polyolefins are attacked by this solar radiation (290 nm to 400 nm). This attack degrades the polymer, resulting in the fragilisation and loss of physical and mechanical properties.

These Masterbatches work in two different ways: by capturing the free radicals that have been formed by the carbon-carbon bond breakdown or by absorbing UV radiation directly.

In many cases, the combination of both leads to cenergistic results, providing better protection to the polymer.

The different applications of these masterbatches are:

• IN FIBRES AND POLYPROPYLENE RAFFIA
• IN LDPE AND LINEAL LDPE FILMS
• PIECES INJECTED OR EXTRUDED IN THICK POLYOLEFINS
• IN CONTAINERS WHOSE CONTENT IS AFFECTED BY RADIATION. IN THIS CASE, A UV ABSORBER IS USED.

Examples of are products are:

Flame retardant Masterbatches are colours concentrates made up of a mixture of products that delay the flame in the combustion of a plastic resin. 

They are supplied in the form of  PELLETS of regular size and similar to that of the polymer to be additivated. 

Its recommended use depends on the characteristics of the polymer and the requirements to fulfil. It is worth noting that the product with flame retardant must not be left inside the extruder for a long time. When the process is interrupted or it finishes, the extruder must be purged immediately. 

We have different flame retardant Masterbatches, of which we can list the following:

The term FOG is used to describe the condensation of water vapour contained in the air. This condenses on the surface of a transparent plastic film in the form of tiny droplets.

The physical conditions that lead to this phenomenon can be summarised as follows:

• The temperature of the inner surface of the film is below dew point of the mixture air-water vapour that the film contains.
• The air near the film cools down, dropping to temperatures that do not retain all the water vapour; the excess condenses on the film.
• The difference between the surface tension of the condensed water and the critical surface tension of wetting of the film make the water condense in the form of droplets instead of doing so in the form of a continuous film.

Undesirable consequences

• IN AGRICULTURAL FILMS:

Transmission of the reduced light, low growth index, delay in the maturation, reduction of efficiency and burning of plants due to concentration of light.

• FILMS FOR FOOD:

Opacity in the film, degrading the quality of the packaging and reducing food sales. 

Our antifog line is the following:

Polymers, including polyolefins, are subject to degradation in every stage of their lives, for instance, during the production, storage and transformation by the end-user. Various factors are responsible for this degradation: heat, light, oxygen and a combination of these three.

The stability of the polymers can be achieved in two different ways: A) by modifying the polymer, for example by copolymerising it, B) by additivating it with stabilizer; to this effect, our company had developed antioxidant Masterbatches.

The effects of degradation can be the following:

-DISCOLORATION  (CHALKING), YELLOWING IN COLOURLESS PRODUCTS

-VARIATION IN THE FLOW INDEX

-CRACKING

-LOSS OF TRANSPARENCY 

-LOSS OF SUPERFICIAL GLOSS

-LOSS OF PHYSICAL-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Antioxidant Masterbatches

-INTERRUPT THE DEGRADATION OF THE POLYMER

-PREVENT THE THERMAL DEGRADATION AND OXYDATION

These are some of our products:

Sliding Masterbatches have been developed to avoid the following problems:

• BLOCKED COILS
• THE SEPARATION OF THE TWO SIDES OF A FILM
• THE FILLING OF THE PRODUCT BY MEANS OF AUTOMATIC FILLING MACHINES
• THE FLOW OF EXTRUSION OR INJECTION OF A POLYOLEFIN

The effect of these Masterbatches is caused by the migration of the product towards the surface, that is why the use should not be exaggerated as it may cause sealing or printing problems.

The following are examples of ours products

This product has been especially formulated to solve the problems caused during the process of Polyethylene/Polypropylene and/or their compounds, Polystyrene, Pet and Polyamide due to  the presence of humidity.

This humidity can be present in raw materials such as polymers, mineral loads and pigments, and also in polymers that have been recycled or processed for their reutilisation. When these materials are processed with a high humidity content, they can develop porosity which is evidenced as holes or bubbles in injection molded articles or extracted sheets.

In applications for blown film, a high degree of humidity may cause the emergence of lensing and the breakage of the extrusion bubble.

Our product chemically traps humidity during its processing and allows the utilisation of greater quantities of polymers or recycled materials, and of greater levels of mineral loads. It also allows to reduce or eliminate the necessity of pre-drying the material in many applications.

For their applications it is not necessary to change either the technology or the habitual processing conditions.

How to use:

The DESSICANT PE MB is presented in the form of grayish white granules that can be mixed directly with virgin or recycled materials before or during their processing. The estimated percentage of use is between 1 and 3%. If information concerning the humidity content of the materials is available, a more procese percentage can be calculated based on the humidity absorption capacity of 10 parts of DESSICANT PE MC 420289 to one part of the humidity present in the material.

We have developed a Masterbatch capable of improving the Polyethylene process, reducing the mechanical exigence and improving its aspect and surface to the touch.

What can we observe?

Without the Masterbatch, the cannon walls offer a high resistance to the advance of Polyethylene. This resistance also occurs between Polyethylene and screws.

With MAsterbatch, resistance is eliminated, reducing the mechanical effort and the wear of the extruder. Apart from facilitating the plastic flow, it improves its final aspect. They are apt to be in contact with food and can increase gloss and clarity. 

Some examples are

Additives designed to prevent or reduce the blocking (adhesion) of BAJO ASESOR films during the extrusion process.

This variety of additives offers a great opportunity to reduce the costs of raw materials and to improve the quality and properties of the pieces. Their use is recommended to reduce the carbon footprint, increase the line speed, reduce cycles and save raw materials.