Polymer plasticize

Plasticize - To soften a material and make it plastic or moldable, either by means of an extruder or by heat or both.

Pearlescent Pigments

Pearlescent Pigments - A class of pigments consisting of particles that are essentially transparent crystals of a high refractive index. The optical effect is one on partial reflection from the two sides of each flake. When reflections from parallel plates reinforce each other, the result is a silvery luster, iridescent effects and metallic sheen resembling natural pearl.

Lubricants in polymer processing

Lubricants - Prevent materials form sticking or improve processability.

Fluorescent effect in plastics

Fluorescent - Organic dyes or pigments which may be blended into inks to provide a luminescent or fluorescent appearance typical of the "neon" colors.

Plastic filler

Filler - A substance added to the plastic to make it less costly. Some fillers also improve mechanical properties.

Color Concentrate

Color Concentrate - A measured amount of dye or pigment incorporated into a pre-determined amount of plastic. This pigment is then mixed into larger quantities of plastic material to be used in molding.

Clarifier

Clarifier - An additive that increases transparency of a plastic material.

Barrier layer and properties

A layer of material designed to limit migration or infiltration of undesirable elements through the plastic or limit the loss of desirable elements through the plastic.
Barrier Properties - Material; permeability characteristics which limit the migration or permeability of elements.

Antioxidants prevent degradation processes

Additive that minimizes or prevents the effects of oxygen attack on the plastic (e.g. yellowing or degradation). Such additives may render the plastic brittle or to lose mechanical properties. A group of substances being able to inhibit radical reactions in the polymer and thus prevent degradation processes. Different types are available: sterically hindered phenols and phosphites as base for polyolefins, sulphur based heat stabilisers and C-radical scavengers for special applications.

Plastics additives

Additives - Used to enhance processing, performance, appearance, and/or economics of the basic plastic formulation. Additives are added to the polymer to protect it from degradation and to give the material desired properties. Normally the additives are mixed with the powder before the extruder.

Antistatic agents

An additive to dissipate static charges eliminating charge build-up and dust collection; an example of a widely used antistatic agent is glycerine-monostearate (GMS). Different types of antistatic agents are used in polymerisation reactors to prevent the formed polymer powder from adhering to the reactor wall.