MATERIALS
reducing weight, compared to metal, a considerable cost promoters for polymer blends with the addition
reduction, often in the order of 30–40%, can be achieved’,
though the savings potential varies from application to
application, he reports. Within polyamide (PA) materi-
als, there is a wide variety of property profiles and fillers,
including glass fibres and minerals, with glass fibre con-
tents of between 15% and 60% being common. However,
this variation often creates major design challenges for pro-
cessors, toolmakers and injection moulders, the company
says. According to Ludwig, these challenges include the
long distances that the polymer melt has to travel, process-
ing conditions or loads, material damage or stress, and
long cycle times, which can then affect commercial aspects.
Moreover, components with large volumes and long flow
paths could result in damage to the material or create other
negative side effects, such as poor surface finish as a result
of upright or non-integrated glass fibres.
The company has utilized its additive expertise to
develop a masterbatch that ‘meets the above challenges
and can improve many aspects’, claims Grafe’s head of
Automotive Sales Clemens Rösler. For example, with glass
fibre-filled PA the modifier makes the polymer melt flow
more freely so filling the cavities in the mould is there-
fore easier and faster, he observes. Furthermore, the glass
fibres and the polymer can be processed more gently and
the mechanical properties are retained. ‘The surface qual-
ity can be significantly improved and the additive results
in a considerable cycle time improvement of up to 30%’,
Rösler reports. The modifier also facilitates the removal
of the component from the respective injection mould,
he says. The new product additionally offers excellent
properties to support good crystallization in the injection
moulding process, according to the company.
Founded in 1991 by four brothers, family-run firm Grafe
currently has 320 employees. It supplies colour and addi-
tive masterbatches and functional polymer compounds to
some 2000 customers in more than 60 countries.
More information: www.grafe.com
Lanxess and Kraton introduce
new bio-based additives for
tyres
S peciality chemicals producer Lanxess has
extended its Aktiplast PP range of processing
4
Additives for Polymers May 2020
of a variant manufactured entirely from plant-
derived oils rather than derivatives of animal
fats and oils. The processing aids are used in the
production of tyres and technical rubber articles.
Meanwhile, pine chemicals specialist Kraton Corp
has launched the Sylvatraxx™ 8000 series of
tread enhancement additives (TEAs), which fea-
ture a high bio-based content.
Vegan processing aid Aktiplast PP-veg contains about 90%
renewable raw materials so its carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint
is significantly reduced compared to the conventional prod-
uct, according to the Lanxess Rhein Chemie business unit.
The raw materials are derived from the fruit of oil palms,
which are considered to be ‘ecologically more sustainable’
than coconut palms, rapeseed or sunflowers as they provide
by far the highest oil yield per hectare of cultivated land, the
company explains. Alongside its sustainability credentials, the
new processing promoter reduces the viscosity of rubber com-
pounds and significantly improves processing via injection and
extrusion, also in combination with functionalized polymers,
Lanxess claims. Depending on the compound composition,
the additive also improves scorch behaviour, promotes vul-
canization and ensures easy demoulding without contamina-
tion of the mould. It is particularly suitable for use in polymer
blends based on natural rubber, the company says.
Aktiplast PP-veg was developed specifically in response
to the requirement of a customer from Asia and is
designed to ensure CO2 savings in tyre production and
rubber processing, Lanxess says. In addition, a Europe-
based international tyre manufacturer has also ‘expressed
great interest’, the company reports.
Kraton’s new second-generation polyterpene TEA series
with high bio-based content initially comprises Sylvatraxx
8115 and 8125. The products are designed to optimize
the balance between wet grip and rolling resistance in
silica-filled passenger car tyre treads, especially in high-
performance, all-season tyres, the company reports. The
new technology is described as an ‘alternative solution’ to
limonene-based products, meeting demands for both eco-
nomic sustainability and safe, eco-mobility performance.
‘Kraton’s latest innovations are designed to help tyre
manufacturers meet increasingly stringent criteria for per-
formance and the use of bio-sourced materials’, comments
Nicolas Derville, the company’s tyres business director.
More information: www.lanxess.com
More information: www.kraton.com