Polymer Additives: Their Affects and Purpose
Additive Affect
Mechanical Property Modifiers
Plasticizers increase flexibility
Impact modifiers improve impact strength
Reinforcing fillers increase strength properties
Nucleating agents modify crystalline morphology
Surface Property Modifiers
Slip and antiblocking agents precent film and sheet sticking
Lubricants precent sticking to machinery
Antistatic agents prevent static charge on surfaces
Coupling agents improve bonding between polymer and filler
Wetting agents stabilize dispersions of filler
Antifogging agents disperse moisture droplets on films
Chemical Property Modifiers
Flame retardants reduce flammability
Ultraviolet stabilizers improves light stability
Antioxidants prevent oxidative degradation
Biocides prevent mildew
Aesthetic Property Modifiers
Dyes and pigments impart color
Odorants add fragrance
Deodorants prevent development of odor
Nucleating agents improve light transmission
Processing Modifiers
Plasticizers reduce melt viscosity
Slip agents and lubricants prevent sticking to processing machinery
Low-profile additives prevent shrinkage and warpage
Thickening agents increase viscosity of polymer solutions or dispersions
Heat stabilizers prevent degradation during processing
Defoaming agents reduce foaming
Blowing agents manufacture stable foams
Emulsifiers stabilize polymer emulsions
Crosslinking (curing) agents crosslink polymer
Promoters speed up crosslinking (curing)

Additives

Modifiers

Catalysts 

Colorants

Fillers

Processing Aids

Reinforcements

Stabilizers

Blowing Agents

Air Release Agents

Antiblocking Agents

Antiblocking Concentrates

Antifogging Agents

Antioxidant Concentrates

Antioxidants

Antistat Concentrates

Antistats

Biocides

Blowing Agents

  • Chemical Types
  • Concentrates
  • Physical Type

Catalysts and Curing Agents

  • Epoxy Catalysts
  • Epoxy Hardeners
  • Polyester Catalysts, Initiators
  • Polyester Inhibitors
  • Polyester Promoters, Accelerators
  • Urethane Catalysts
  • Urethane Cross linkers, Chain Extenders

Colorants

  • Concentrates, Liquid or Paste
  • Concentrates, Solid
  • Dyes, pigments

Conductive Additives

Cooling-Water Treatment Chemicals

Coupling Agents

Crosslinking Agents

  • For Thermoplastics
  • Radiation Sensitizers

Degradation Promoters

Desiccant Additives

Fillers

  • Microspheres (Hollow or Solid)
  • Mineral or Other Inorganic Type
  • Organic Type

Flame Retardants

  • Concentrates
  • Smoke Suppressants

Fragrance Additives

Hardeners

Heat-Distortion Modifiers

Impact Modifiers

Low-Profile Additives for SMC/MBC

Lubricants

  • Concentrates

Mold Releases

Nucleating/Clarifying Agents

Plasticizers

Processing Aids

  • Mineral/Inorganic Type
  • Other Organic Types
  • Polymeric Type

Purging Agents Additive Type

Reinforcements

  • Aramid Fiber
  • Carbon or Graphite Fiber
  • Ceramic Fibers
  • Continuous Fiber Rovings, Tows, Yarns
  • Discontinuous Fibers (Chopped, Milled, Staple)
  • Fabric, Mat, Veil, Felt
  • Glass Fiber
  • Mineral Fibers
  • Nylon or PET Fiber
  • UHMW PE Fiber

Release Agents

  • External (Spray or Wipe On)
  • Internal (Additive Type)

Resin Clean-up Solutions

Slip Agents

  • Concentrates

Stabilizers

  • Heat Stabilizers for PVC
  • Metal Deactivators
  • UV Stabilizers
  • UV Stabilizers Concentrates

Stripping Agents, Resin Removers

Surface Treatment Chemicals and Dispersion Aids (for Fillers, Pigments, Reinforcements)

Surfactants

Thickeners for SMC/BMC

Thixotropic Agents

Viscosity Depressants