Antioxidants Masterbatch
Antioxidants are added to plastics to inhibit degradation caused by thermo-mechanical or thermo-oxidative conditions. Antioxidants extend a product’s life, enhance the appearance and maintain its strength, stiffness and flexibility. The way these antioxidants interrupt the degradation process varies according to their structure. Several amines, phenolics, phosphites, thioesters etc. are employed as antioxidants for plastics.
The importance of antioxidant additives in the plastics industry:
antioxidants polymer additives are essential because they help prevent a process called oxidation. By doing so, they are able to stabilize the plastic products’ qualities and slow degradation processes.
Oxidation, as you may already know, is a process in which oxygen comes in contact with a certain material and impacts that material. The impact, which is usually a form of degradation, occurs due to free radicals that react to the material’s molecules, setting off a chemical chain reaction. Oxidation is more common than you might think. Just recall the last time you saw a fruit that had gradually turned brown, or meat in the refrigerator that started to smell differently.
The plastic products that most commonly contain antioxidant additives include:
• A variety of pipes and fittings used in the building & construction industry
• Polyethylene films (PE films) used a variety of applications, from construction to food packaging
• Products and films made from polypropylene (PP)
