FILLERS

It is used to modify mechanical

properties & to reduce the cost.
Effect of Fillers
• The use of inert fillers can influence the polymer
properties in the following ways :-
• Increase in density.
• Increase in modulus of elasticity.
• Lower shrinkage.
• Increase in hardness.
• Increase in HDT.
• Reduction of raw material cost.
e.g. Calcium Carbonate, Red mud etc
Fillers
Purpose Filler
Bulk Wood Flour
Wood Flour
Saw dust
Wood pulp
Sisal / jute
Saw dust
Purified cellulose
Mica / Rock

Wood pulp
Sisal / jute

Purified cellulose Mica / Rock

 Fillers
Purpose Filler
Hardeners Inorganic Pigments
Mineral Powders
Inorganic Pigments
Metallic Oxides
Powder Metals
Graphite
Mineral Powders

Graphite
 Fillers
Purpose Filler
Chemical Glass Fibres & Fabrics
Resistance Synthetic Fibres & Fabrics
Graphite
Metallic Oxides
 Fillers
Purpose Filler
Thermal Asbestos
Insulation Ceramic Oxides
Silica

Asbestos Titanium Oxide

Silica
 Fillers
Purpose Filler
Appearance Colour Pigments
Dyestuffs
Carbon Flakes
Powder Metals
Phosphorescent Minerals
Woven Fabrics
 Fillers
Purpose Filler

Reinforcement Glass fibres

Asbestos Fibres
Cellulose Fibres
Cotton Fibres
Papers
Synthetic Fibres
Fibrous Fillers & Reinforcement
• Reinforcing fillers are those which enhance
the mechanical properties like :
• Tensile Strength
• Modulus
• Hardness of a polymer compound.
• The product become stiffer and stronger
than the base polymer.
Fibrous Fillers & Reinforcement
• Glass Fibres
• Increase (Tensile, Compressive, Flexural)
Strength ,Increase rigidity, creep resistance
hardness and decrease thermal expansion co-
efficient, elongation at break.
• Minerals such as talc, calcuim carbonate, mica –
increases the compound rigidity, improve the
temperature resistance and reduces shrinkage &
warpage.
Coupling Agents
• These are used to increase the adhesion
between polymer & filler, fiber by covalent
bonds.
• Ex: Methacrylato-chromo chloride used for
glass fibres & Polyester resin
Organosilanes are used for PVC , ABS and
PA
Antistatic Agents
• Static charge may built up simply by friction with
the ambient air
• Most plastics have low surface conductivity
• Static charge is not discharged fast enough
• Troublesome effects like:
• Heavy contamination of plastics parts
• Shock as charge flows (floor covering, door handles)
Antistatic Agents
• Chemicals added to plastics to reduce built up of
electrostatic charges on the surface of materials
• Accumulations can occur during processing and at
various handling points
• Static charges are dissipated by increasing the surface
conductivity
Antistatic Agents
• Prevalent electrostatic charges – mostly seen in
PE, PP, PS, Nylons, Polyesters, Urathenes,
Cellulosics, Acrylics & Acrylonitriles
• Because of insulation properties electrical charge
may get deposited on the surface of the plastics
produced during processing.
• This may cause severe damage to the products &
equipment.
• It may cause accumulation of dust.
• The accumulation of static charge can be
minimized by the use of antistatic agents.
Antistatic Agents
Examples-
• Amines
• Quaternary ammonium compounds,
• Phosphates,
• Esters,
• Polyethylene glycol esters
Slip & Anti block Agents
Slip: Reduces coefficient of friction.
• They are high molecular weight fatty alcohols
• Amount (0.05 – 0.2% )
• e.g. For film of 25 micron 0.01% of Oleamide
Slip & Anti block Agents
• Anti block Agents : Prevent adhesion between the film
surface
• Amount (0.05 – 0.2%)
Examples -
• Calcium Carbonate in PVC film
• Metal Salts
• Fatty Acids
• Natural & Synthetic Waxy Materials
Selection of Slip & Anti block Agents
• Must not spoil optical properties.
• Must not interface with the adhesion ink to film.
• Must not prevent the sealing of film.
• Must be colour less
• Must be odour less
• Must be non toxic
Nucleating Agents
• Aiding transmission of white light in Plastics
• Forms large nos. of nuclei & reduces the
size of spherulites.
• e.g.
• Sodium, Potassium, Lithium benzoates.
• Inorganic Powders – Clays, Silica Flour
Optical Brighteners
• It makes a mask over the yellowness formed
during processing.
• Optical Brighteners are organic substance which
absorb UV radation
e.g.
• Benzosulphonic & Sulphonamides derivatives.
• Vinylene bisbenzoxazoles.
• 4-alkyl-7-dialkyl amino coumarins.
Colorants
• Produces varieties of coloured polymers
• Also improves
• Mechanical Strength
• Specific Gravity
• Clarity
Colorants
Dyes (Soluble in Polymers)
• Impart brilliant transparent colour to clear plastics
• Inorganic & Organic
• AZOS (,180 – 2000C) for brightness and clarity
• Anthraquinone (AQ) –Good heat transparent
weathearibility
• (Auto tube light)
Pigments (In-Soluble in Polymers)
• Inorganic
• Organic
Colorants
Inorganic Pigments:
• Titanium dioxide - White
• Cadmium sulphide - Yellow orange
• Lead chromate - Yellow orange
• Chromium oxide - Green
Organic Pigments:
• Benzidese – Yellow orange
• Copper phthalocyanine - Blue
• Chlorinated copper phthalocyanine
• Aniline black - Black
Selection of Colorants
• Heat Stability
• Disperse ability
• Light fastness
• Chemical Inertness
• Opacity or transparency
Anti-Ageing Additives
• Deterioration by Atmospheric
• Radiation
• Temperature
• Oxygen
• Water
• Micro-Oranisms
• Gases etc
Ultraviolet Light Absorbers
• Detected by
• Loss in Tensile Properties
• Discolouration
• Brittleness
• Example-
• Black in any form : Carbon Black, Black dye, Black
paints
• Benzophenones – for PE, Polyesters
• Benzotriazoles – for PS, Polyesters
Impact Modifier
• To enhance the impact properties of certain brittle
polymers so as to use in the field.
e.g.
• Chlorinated polyethylene ,EVA are used for PVC.
• SBR is used for polystyrene material.
• EPDM is used for PP ( Bumpers)
• Acrylic rubbers for Poyamides
 Flame Retardants
• Plastics + Fire – free
radical formation combines
with Oxygen – CO – CO2
• Application : Automobile,
Aerospace, Electrical,
Transportation, Building,
Furniture, TV cabinet
Flame Retardants
• Prevent Combustion by
• Insulate
• Creating endothermic cooling reaction
• Coating the product
EX: -
• Aluminium trihydrate ( Nylon)
• Antimony trioxides (ABS)
• Chlorinated Paraffin
• Zinc borate
• Halogen Compounds
• Phosphorous acid esters ( PA,POM,FRP)
• Nitrogen Compounds