Types of Plastic Additives

 Plastic additives are substances that are added to modify the properties of a polymer. The purpose of an additive is to add certain important qualities to a polymer that are essential to make the product more durable, sustainable or useful to the end consumer.

 

The best way to describe plastic additives is to give a few examples.

 

Anti-fogging: Anti-fogging additives for plastics are manufactured to give better clarity and appearance to plastic products. This is particularly important in the packaging and agricultural industries, as many film-based plastic products can accumulate moisture and thus produce 'fogging' that should be avoided. For example, the formation of droplets on greenhouse plastics may reduce the amount of light affecting crops, thereby damaging them.

 

Plastic antioxidants have been widely used in plastics. Polyolefins and ABS are the most widely used, followed by POM, PVC and nylon. When using them, two or more kinds of antioxidants should be taken into account, so as to produce the advantages of adding together, or synergistic effect, in order to obtain better results.

 

Plastic Antioxidants

①Additive action: When used together, the main and secondary antioxidants bring out their respective characteristics and give better results than when used alone. The use of high concentrations of antioxidants can cause side effects. However, when several low concentrations of antioxidants are taken out, they can prevent side effects and also have an additive effect.

 

②Synergistic effect: When antioxidants are used properly, their combined performance can exceed the effect of each one when used alone. It is known as the synergistic effect.

 

Finally, the stability of oxygen varies between different plastics, so some plastics do not add antioxidants. Some must be added. Plastic antioxidants are used to trap the activity of free radicals, thus interrupting the chain reaction. The aim is to slow down the oxidation process and the rate of plasticisation. According to the mechanism of action of the antioxidant, it can act on all plastics.

 

Plastic Antioxidants

Flame retardants: Flame retardant additives for plastics are essential to make plastic components and products safer to use. When exposed to heat or fire, the flame retardant properties of plastics impede and suppress flames. The inclusion of flame retardant additives is a must in many industries, especially in industries that manufacture products containing both plastic and electronic components, such as the automotive and electrical industries.

 

Anti-adhesion: Adhesion is a common problem with many plastic film products, which are rolled together and therefore 'stick' to each other. Anti-adhesive additives for plastics are designed to prevent such adhesion. That said, many anti-adhesive additives can do the job, but can compromise product clarity and reduce product efficiency.

 

 

Anti-static: Static electricity (charge) is an unwanted phenomenon that occurs at multiple levels or air humidity. This often occurs, for example, in plastic products in the packaging industry. By using migrating molecules that absorb water molecules from the air, anti-static additives for plastics solve the problem of static electricity and are suitable for all humidity levels.

 

UV: UV additives for plastics protect polymers from the harmful effects of UV radiation, which can damage product appearance, texture and even performance.

 

Of course. The manufacture of additives is closely monitored and regulated worldwide, with each industry having its own standards and regulations. All of Jinan Forever Chemical's plastic additives adhere to strict regulations. In addition, the team at Jinan Forever Chemical provides customers with advice and information on existing regulations in their particular industry to ensure that their additives are always compliant.