Plastics Additives

Without additives, there could be no plastics industry. Additives enable us to achieve acceptable processing behaviour, performance targets and useful product lifetimes. They also promote safety by improving fire resistance and reducing smoke output. Arranged alphabetically for easy access, this volume presents articles on additives. Experts in additive and polymer science from several countries and from many international companies explain the recent changes in additive technology, especially blowing agents for foams, pigments and flame retardants, resulting from environmental concerns and legislative change. The book deals with novel additives (scorch inhibitors, compatibilizers, and surface-modified particulates) as well as the established varieties (antioxidants, biocides, antistatic agents, nucleating agents, fillers, fibres, impact modifiers, and plasticizers) and many others. There are introductory contributions dealing with the analysis of additives and with the principles of mixing technology. Interactions between additives are considered.