Understanding the Principles of Modified Plastic Formulation Development Can More Than Double Efficiency

"One effect, one additive" is the fundamental principle of modified plastic formulation design; "one additive, multiple effects" is the goal of developing the variety structure of plastic additives.

In order to achieve the desired effects in plastic modification, the use of various additives has become increasingly frequent. However, does the combined use of these additives necessarily guarantee the ideal expectations people have?

Users are convinced that the functionality of modified plastics comes from a large variety of additives, yet they overlook the fact that there are interactions between functional additives. These interactions can result in the expected positive effects, and even the accumulation and synergy of various positive effects. However, there can also be side effects and even antagonistic effects between them.

People have observed the synergistic effects of positive action from additives in the extensive application systems of the compound antioxidant B215; additionally, they have experienced antagonistic effects from the premature failure of hindered amine light stabilizer systems under acidic formulation component environments.

In order to impart specific functions to modified plastics, additives are introduced, which may have various impacts on operators, the environment, and contacted items during use. At present, sufficient attention has not been paid by additive manufacturers and users. In recent years, the pressure and impact brought about by environmental regulations, typically represented by RoHS, WEEE, and REACH, on plastic additives and the modified plastics industry are enough to illustrate this issue.

Therefore, in the process of plastic modification, whether to use a single-function agent or a multi-function agent requires careful accumulation of experience.

The higher the performance of the material, the more important the resin becomes. For example, in PP, modification accounts for 70% and resin for 30%; in nylon, it's 50% modification and 50% resin; but for high-temperature nylon, it's 30% modification and 70% resin.

Overall, whether it is the selection of materials by downstream OEMs or the research and development of resin selection by modification companies, special attention must be paid to resin raw materials.

The basic physical performance index system of the base resin needs to be improved.

(2) Objectively regard the recycling and reuse of recycled plastics.

It is often said that foreign companies have very simple formulations, while domestic materials with the same performance have much more complex formulations. There are certainly many unavoidable reasons for this, but it is definitely not a sustainable approach. The following four factors will greatly affect the stability and long-term effectiveness of such formulations.

The compatibility and mutual synergy of formula components are key to formula optimization.

(2) Halogen-free flame retardant technology complicates the formulations of modified plastics.

(3) The introduction of functional additives may cause new functional deficiencies.

(4) Safety, health, and environmental regulations compel the selection of modified plastic formulations to be more cautious towards current trends.