Economical Toughener for PC/ABS Also Boosts Flow of PC
Impact modifier addresses three key needs.
At room temperature, new Durastrength 410 is an effective toughener for PC/ABS relative to Arkema’s Durastrength 440 all-acrylic or ClearStrength E920 MBS. The horizontal line shows the toughness of neat PC/ABS.
New D410 exceeds the low-temperature toughening performance of both D440 and E920.
New D410 provides somewhat less toughness than a competing acrylic modifer in PC at room temperature, but D410 greatly improves flow.
A new impact modifier from Arkema Inc., Philadelphia, addresses three market needs: boosting low-tempera-ture impact of PC/ABS, improving flow of polycarbonate alone, and doing both economically. New Durastrength 410 is a weatherable, acrylic impact modifier (AIM) designed to provide high efficiency at lower cost than the company’s “Cadillac” product, Durastrength 440. Arkema says D440 is still the highest-performing acrylic impact modifier for PC and PC/PBT, but new D410 proves to be a better toughener for PC/ABS and has a unique processing advantage in PC as well.
“Much recent development has focused on the rubber core of core/shell type impact modifiers,” says Dr. Jason Lyons, Arkema research scientist. “We optimized both the core and shell of Durastrength 410 for PC/ABS.” D410 is a powder, like D440. Pellet forms of both products are in development.
Durastrength 410 is “targeting applications in automotive parts, appliances, business equipment, electrical/electronics, and safety/leisure equipment,” says Connie Lo, commercial development manager. In particular, PC/ABS has faced mounting competition from TPOs for low-temperature impact. The new modifier gives PC/ABS new muscle in cold weather and at lower cost than before. It may also allow processors to use more recycled or regrind material and maintain performance.
TOUGHENER & FLOW ENHANCER
Arkema’s test data (see graphs) show that D410 is slightly less effective than D440 or Arkema’s ClearStrength E920 MBS modifier in toughening PC/ABS at room temperature at a low loading level of 1%. At higher levels, new D410 matches or exceeds the other two. At -20 C, new D410 matches or exceeds D440 and E920 at all loadings, and it significantly outperforms the others at -40 C. D410 also beats a competitive all-acrylic modifer at all loading levels and temperatures. What’s more, D410 significantly increases flow of PC/ABS relative to all the other modifiers tested.
In PC alone, D410 does not match the toughening action of D440 or a competitive acrylic modifier, but it does impart dramatically higher melt flow than either of the others.
Related Content
-
Masterbatches Reduce Gloss in PLA and PETG 3D Printed Products
Insight Polymers & Compounding’s two low-gloss additive masterbatches shown to boost appearance of 3D printed objects.
-
K 2022 Additives & Materials: Sustainability in the Lead
Nearly all of the new additives highlighted at the big show are aimed at enhancing recyclability of commodity resins and some volume engineering resins such as nylon and PC. A few new materials, on which we had not previously reported, also surfaced at K 2022.
-
Tosaf’s Investments in North America Result in 40% Increase in Production Capacity
Backed by a global presence, Tosaf provides localized additive and color solutions, and services for the plastic industry in North America.
