Solution For Improving Thermal Performance, With Very Low Levels Of Residual Volatiles And Easy Processability

Solution for improving thermal performance, with very low levels of residual volatiles and easy processability

16-Jun-16

Polyscope, the world’s leading producer of styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymers, is expanding its XIRAN® heat booster range. Originally introduced to increase the high temperature resistance of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), XIRAN heat boosters are now also proving succesful in increasing the heat performance of other styrenic polymers, such as polystyrene (PS) and styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), as well as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The extensive XIRAN heat booster range has positioned Polyscope as the pioneer for heat perfomance promotion of engineering plastics. Polyscope has built a leading position at large global ABS and ASA polymer producers and compounders since the introduction in 2013 of a special XIRAN grade with high efficiency (XIRAN IZ).
The XIRAN IZ-grades, which are terpolymers based on styrene, maleic anhydride and a third monomer, N-phenylmaleimide, are an efficient solution for improving the thermal performance, with very low levels of residual volatiles and easy processability at standard processing conditions. The compounds based on XIRAN IZ are used in automotive applications, consumer products and appliances where increased heat resistance is required.

Building on the current success, Polyscope recently added a new grade, which boosts heat resistance even further. The new grade has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 198°C and can be exposed to high processing temperatures with excellent miscibility in styrenic polymers. Building even further, the benefits of XIRAN heat booster additives are now also proving succesful in increasing the heat performance of other styrenic polymers, such as PS and SAN, as well as PMMA. An example is high-impact polystyrene with an increased heat resistance for microwaveable food packaging.

Ferdi Faas, Business Unit Director Engineering Plastics at Polyscope Polymers B.V. says:
‘Polyscope and its customers are continuously exploring new opportunities and applications for XIRAN in combination with other polymers. Since Polyscope was founded ten years ago, our ability to transfer Fresh thinking into Great products, our efficient organisation, and management with global ambitions have made Polyscope into a multiple award winner in the engineering plastic and specialty chemical markets.’