BYK Chemie recently unveiled BYK®-P 4102, a highly efficient polymeric processing additive for fillers and pigments in thermoplastic systems. Over the years, requirements for color masterbatches have increased continually. Despite improved extrusion technology, the dispersion of organic pigments often presents a challenge. The use of a suitable dispersing agent has thus become practically indispensable. However, waxes and fatty acid derivatives now in use generally produce unsatisfactory results in terms of pigment dispersion and stabilization. The company says that the new additive for fillers and masterbatches fills this void. According to the company, the benefits of the new additive include improved pigment/filler dispersion in thermoplastic systems and optimization of throughput due to lower filter pressure value. BYK®-P 4102 is said to increases the correlation between lab and production color matching while positively influencing the viscosity value (MVR).
The additive works in two steps: In the first step, one of the additive's building blocks provides a low melting temperature and viscosity, resulting in excellent wetting of pigments and fillers. BYK®-P 4102 adsorbs on the pigment or filler surface, thus ensuring improved and more consistent dispersion. In the final product, the film shows a higher transparency and homogeneity. In the second step, another ingredient in the additive enables a better processability in the extrusion process. The melting viscosity of the masterbatch or compound is reduced and due to the lower filter pressure value the throughput of the material is higher.
01-Jun-09 
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