Additives |
Additives | Masterbatches Teknor Apex Company from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA, has developed three new additive masterbatch series for enhancing the processing and end-use performance of polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastics, as the Bioplastics Division recently announced. Terraloy MB-9000 masterbatches are clear formulations with PLA carrier resins, come in pellet form for uniform distribution in the host polymer, and can be custom formulated to optimize processing in a wide range of equipment, according to Edwin Tam, manager of new strategic initiatives. Three series are available: New Additives for PLA Impact modifier While PLA alone exhibits brittle failure at low impact levels in Gardner impact tests, Terraloy 9000A masterbatch yields ten to fifteen times the impact resistance in extruded tape samples, depending on addition levels; and at 10% loadings yields substantial increases for injection molded sample plaques (see graph in Fig. 1). Melt strength enhancer Terraloy 9001A modifier increases the pull force that can be applied to PLA over a wide range of drawdown ratios, broadening the processing window of the resin in extrusion blow molding, blown film, cast film and sheet, and thermoforming. Tests indicate that at 6 to 10% addition levels, the masterbatch increases the pull force three- to five-fold (see graph in Fig. 2). Metal-release agent Terraloy 9002A functions as a mold release in injection molding operations and as a release agent in cast film or sheet extrusion. “Pelletized Terraloy masterbatches disperse more efficiently and uniformly in PLA than additives that come in powder form, work well in a wide range of processing equipment, and do not affect the clarity of neat PLA polymer,” said Tam. “For each of the three new masterbatch series, Teknor Apex is prepared to custom formulate versions to meet specific processing or performance requirements.” www.teknorapex.com Impact Properties Pull force 1.4 35 0.14 1.2 1 Gardner Impact on extruded tapes [in-lbs/mil] Gardner impact on injection molded plaques [ft-lbs] 30 25 0.12 0.1 PLA reference MB-90001 A1 6% MB-90001 A1 10% 0.8 0.6 20 15 Force [N] 0.08 0.06 0.4 10 0.04 0.2 5 0.02 0 PLA Control 5% MB-90000A 10% MB-90000A 20% MB-90000A 0 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Draw Down Ratio V [v/v o ] 14 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/10] Vol. 5
Additives | Masterbatches Bio-based Color Concentrates With the recent development of color concentrates for use with PHBV bioplastics, Teknor Color Company now provides fully bio-based colorants for the four most widely processed bio- and petrochemical-based biodegradable resins, the company announced today. Each of the concentrate series is now in commercial use, is classified as a bio-based material in accordance with ASTM D6866, and meets ASTM D6400 requirements for composting in an aerobic facility. The Teknor Color bio-based product range includes concentrates with four different carrier polymers that are compatible, respectively, with these four biodegradable resin families: PHBV The newest series of color concentrates developed by Teknor Color Company were formulated for this subclass of the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastic family. PHBV is poly-3-hydroxy butyrate-valerate. PHB In 2009, Teknor Color collaborated with Telles, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA to develop color concentrates for use with that company‘s Mirel PHB (polyhydroxy butyrate) bioplastics, part of the PHA class. PLA Teknor Color introduced concentrates for use with polylactic acid bioplastics in 2008 and has since supplied colorants for a wide range of PLA applications. PBAT For use with this petrochemical-based biodegradable copolyester (PBAT is poly butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), Teknor Color now offers concentrates with either bio-based or petrochemical-based carrier resins. One noteworthy recent application of a Teknor Color concentrate for use with Mirel resin is the green clip of the new Paper Mate ® biodegradable pen and mechanical pencil (see bM 03/2010). “Today Teknor Color supplies manufacturers of biodegradable products ranging from can liners to food service ware to writing instruments, and we are developing new formulations to broaden the range of bioplastic resins with which our concentrates can be used,“ said John Wood, technical manager. “Through synergy with our sister business, the Bioplastics Division of Teknor Apex, we are technologically well positioned to be a leading source of colorants for what promises to be a vast and diverse bioplastics sector in the plastics industry.“ www.teknorcolor.com bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/10] Vol. 5 15
