Page 74 - Plastics News September 2024

IN THE NEWS
as a result of which the polymer chains get more
freedom to move about. Such characteristics are
very important for uses such as, flexible hoses
and inflatable goods. The examples of primary
plasticizers are phthalates and adipates.
3. Flame Retardants
Flame retardants are employed in plastic articles
to minimize burning characteristics of the plastic
so that it can be safely employed in areas where
fire hazards are inherent. Such are the addi-
tives that operate in the capacity of preventing
the ignition of the plastic material or acting as
a hindrance to the rate at which flames spread.
Flame retardants can be broadly classified into
two main categories these include; Halogenated
flame retardants and non-halogenated flame re-
tardants.
4. Colorants
Those, which are used for the purpose of giving
the color to the plastics are known as colorants.
It can be dyes or pigments and the choice of
the particular depends on the effect of colour-
ing intended and on the type of plastic material
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PLASTICS NEWSASTICS NEWS
to be coloured. The factors, which make it pos-
sible to add the colorants to the plastic, include
enhancing the looks of the final product and the
capability of the colorant to give the plastic an
extra function, for example, the capability to re-
sist UV light.
5. Fillers
Various substances incorporated into plastics to
enhance the properties of the finished product,
with the possibility of lowering the cost price
of the manufactured article, are called fillers.
Typically, the uses of fillers can involve calcium
carbonate, talc, and glass fibers. Each filler can
acts as a strengthening agent for the plastic or
material, and is generally added to reduce the
amount of costly resin within the material as well
adding more strength and stiffness as well as im-
pact resistance.
6. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are employed to stop the process
of oxidation of plastics which in turn causes the
loss of mechanical properties of the material.
Which operates by way of scavenging of free
radicals that are formed during processing and
degradation of plastics. This is useful in preserv-
ing the strength of the plastic as well its lifespan
on the market or in day to day use.
7. Anti-static Agents
Stabilizers are added into the plastics to re-
duce the calibration of the plastics to charge
up through production of static electricity. This
was important in the applications where the
static electricity leads to issues like in the con-
nections or in the materials used in packaging.
These agents assist in counter charging so as to
minimize the buildup of charges to attract dust
or cause electrical discharge.
September 2024
September 2024