A collaborative research project in Europe has successfully tracked the flow of polymer through a twin screw extruder in real time and under realistic processing conditions.
A collaborative research project in Europe has successfully tracked the flow of polymer through a twin screw extruder in real time and under realistic processing conditions.
The PVC industry has been involved in an active programme in recent years to phase out the use of lead stabilizers. Mixed metal stabilizers have been at the forefront of these developments. Now Dr Reiner Sauerwein of Nabaltec AG describes the introduction of a new inorganic co-stabilizer to the market and the potential benefits to the industry.
Colours and special effects are key ingredients of plastics compounds, offering countless possibilities to designers who want to differentiate their products. Colorant suppliers sell their pigments and dyes primarily to compound and masterbatch producers, although a small volume goes directly to processors of finished parts. Jennifer Markarian reviews some of the basics, including types of colorants and special effects, how they are added to compounds and masterbatches, and concerns for adding them at the processing line.