Improving productivity and optimizing properties: nucleating agents for PP
Hyperform is the first family of nucleating agents for PP that directs balanced orientation in processed parts resulting in excellent dimensional stability, improved physical properties, and reduced warpage and shrinkage. As a result it addresses many of the critical processing, part-consistency, and physical property issues facing manufacturers. In addition, the effect of Hyperform nucleating agents on PP crystallization temperature results in up to 15% increase in productivity for convertors. Easy to use, Hyperform products disperse well, even in high melt flow resins where traditional nucleation technologies may not.
At K 2013, Milliken will demonstrate the benefits of its Hyperform nucleating agents as more effective and cost-efficient alternatives to additives such as talc and sodium benzoate. Hyperform HPN-600ei offers opportunities for better transparency, light weighting and replacement of PET and PS in thermoforming. HPN-600ei can be incorporated into sheet extrusion and thermoforming grades of PP to provide excellent aesthetics, rather than the yellowish appearance that is common in conventional polypropylene. The overall effect of balanced orientation induced by HPN-600ei is the reduction of warpage in the final parts resulting in reduced cycle times and the ability to stack parts without nesting issues.
Opportunities to override the nucleation of pigments and maximize production and part quality and consistency can be gained through the addition of Hyperform HPN-20E to injection molding grades.
Benefits for typical applications include fine-tuning CLTE (coefficient of linear thermal expansion) in grades for automobile bumpers and instrument panels, cycle time reduction and warpage elimination in the production of pallets and crates, and increased processability and optic enhancement in packaging. Hyperform nucleating agents are also used in profile extrusion, such as pipe applications where they offer improved stiffness, surface smoothness and processability.
…and also for PE
Visitors to the stand will also be able to quiz Milliken experts on progress the company has made on improving nucleation in polyethylene. Hyperform HPN-20E enables PE to be used in even more diverse packaging applications than ever before. It increases the crystallization temperature of the polymer, allowing earlier de-molding of parts, cutting cycle times and increasing productivity up to 10 percent and in some cases by as much as 20 percent. Hyperform HPN-20E is suitable for high barrier high-density polyethylene (HDPE) blown film, industrial blow molded containers, caps and closures, and extruded tubes, as well as in linear low density PE (LLDPE).
Performance enhancements for PE include improvements to barrier in film and to the environmental stress cracking resistance (ESCR) of tubes, an increase in ESCR and top load for industrial containers, and pigment leveling for caps and closures (C&C).
Hyperform HPR-803i reinforcing fibers for a more sustainable automotive industry
Milliken’s synthetic reinforcing agent Hyperform HPR-803i allows automotive designers to create parts that are up to 15% lighter without compromising performance. Hyperform HPR-803i is added at a lower addition rate than mineral fillers to polypropylene compounds, so the compounds have a lower density. Used alone or with talc, it helps automakers meet weight reduction targets and produce cars with reduced fuel consumption and lower vehicle emission.
Hyperform HPR-803i compounds are suitable for injection molding operations originally designed for talc-filled compounds, simplifying testing requirements and reducing implementation costs. PP compounds reinforced with HPR-803i maintain their mechanical properties even after multiple recycling and compounding operations. Part surface appearance can also be improved, and HPR-803i lets processors reduce pigment usage while still meeting color requirements. Scratch appearance is improved, which can allow for further formulation optimization.
Compounds containing Hyperform HPR-803i can be processed on existing conventional injection molding equipment, without processors having to make additional investments (unlike with other technologies).
