Plastics

COMAX® - Additives

Optical Brighteners
UV-Absorbers / HALS
Antioxidants
Antistatic Agents
Lubricants

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Content

COMAX® - Optical Brighteners 4

COMAX® - UV-Absorbers 6

COMAX® - HALS 11

COMAX® - Antioxidants 13

COMAX® - Antistatics 17

COMAX® - Lubricants 19

Areas of use 20

Disclaimer 21

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COMAX® Optical Brighteners

Optical Brighteners
Product Chemical description Supply form
Benzoxazole

COMAX ® OA Powder

Product Descriptions

COMAX® OA
is a fluorescent optical brightener, belonging to the chemical group of benzoxazoles.
Its exceptional optical and colour properties allows use in many different applications.

COMAX® OA, in the plastics industry, is mainly used for flexible PVC and paste PVC
(plastisol) applications. Compact or foamed vinyl wallcovers and technical textile
coatings are typical applications of paste PVC.

The possible negative effects of optical brighteners on weatherability and light stability
when used in rigid PVC applications must be taken into account. In particular,
formulas containing modifiers are strongly affected. For this reason, the use of optical
brighteners is not recommended in certain rigid PVC outdoor applications.

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COMAX® Optical Brighteners

Applications

Optical brighteners are used in the plastics and paint industries, as well as in the
paper and textile industry.

In plastics applications, the addition of optical brighteners reduces the typical inherent
yellowish color of certain products. The depth and brilliance of the color of the final
product is increased and the production of snow-white products becomes possible.
The yellow tinge of transparent products is also noticeably reduced.

In adhesives and primers, the fluorescent effect of brighteners can be used effectively
as a marker. If there is too little adhesive and/or if the system is too transparent to be
effectively evaluated during a quality assessment, the fluorescent effect can be used
to make evaluation possible.

The addition of optical brighteners in transparent paints and lacquers reduces the
inherent yellow color. The quality of white and pastel colors is improved as is the
depth of darker colors.

Optical brighteners should be used in outdoor applications only after being tested for
acceptable light stability.

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COMAX® UV-Absorbers

UV-Absorbers
Product Chemical description Supply form
Benzotriazole

COMAX ® UV-120 Powder

Benzotriazole

COMAX ® UV-126 Powder

Benzotriazole

COMAX ® UV-127 Powder

Benzotriazole

COMAX ® UV-130F Liquid

Benzotriazole

COMAX ® UV-142 Powder

Benzophenone

COMAX ® UV-181 Powder

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COMAX® UV-Absorbers

UV-Absorbers
Product Chemical description Supply form
Benzotriazole

COMAX ® UV-200 Powder

Oxalanilide

COMAX ® UV-280 Powder

Malonate

COMAX ® UV-285 Powder

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COMAX® UV-Absorbers

Product Descriptions

COMAX® UV-120
is a UV-Absorber for general use in flexible and rigid PVC. Its efficiency in tin-stabilized
rigid PVC applications is excellent. COMAX® UV-120 can be used conservatively for
transparent products.

COMAX® UV-126
is used in flexible and rigid PVC as well as in paste PVC.

COMAX® UV-127
is a product with very little volatility. It is used predominantly in flexible PVC
applications as well as in adhesives.

COMAX® UV-130F
is a liquid high-performance UV Absorber. COMAX® UV-130F can be quickly and
homogeneously introduced into the mixture.

COMAX® UV-142
is indicated in rigid PVC applications. Even in very high amounts, up to 8.0 phr, the
volatility and transparency remain outstanding. Co-extrusion of thin light-stable surface
layers is possible with COMAX® UV-142.

COMAX® UV-181
is suitable for flexible PVC formulas. Combination with metal soap stabilizers results in
a very efficient product. COMAX® UV-181 can be used for semi-rigid PVC applications
with a lesser need for light stability.

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COMAX® UV-Absorbers

Product Descriptions

COMAX® UV-200
is used standardly with rigid PVC.

COMAX® UV-280
is also indicated in particular for use in rigid PVC applications. Because of its lack of
inherent color, it can be used very effectively with transparent products.

COMAX® UV-285
is used for the UV stabilization of technical polymers, including polycarbonate,
polyester and acrylate. COMAX® UV-285 is preferred in highly transparent applications
if the inherent color of conventional UV absorbers prevents their effective use in
transparent products.
The long-term stability of COMAX® UV-285 is outstanding. The accumulation of color
complex with metal ion residues (from polymerization catalysts), which is not
suppressed by other UV absorbers, can be prevented. This makes COMAX® UV-285
the most advanced of the COMAX® UV product line.

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COMAX® UV-Absorbers

Applications

Sunlight, rain, humidity, warmth and other external influences cause an irreversible
degradation of plastics. These are not only visual changes like discoloration and fading
but also the loss of mechanical and physical properties which can cause failure of the
product.

UV absorbers are used to protect plastics and to reduce these negative effects. The
different methods of processing and the various applications necessitate a careful
choice of the UV absorber. The use of a UV absorber prolongs the time to and reduces
the intensity of the degradation.

Special attention should be paid to the combination of the UV absorber, heat stabilizer,
co-stabilizer and antioxidants.

Stabilizers, antioxidants and the UV absorber act against the degradation processes of
plastics. During this stabilization process synergistic interaction may occur. In this case
an optimal combination of stabilizer, co-stabilizer, antioxidant and UV absorber can
prolong product life and/ or reduce raw material costs.

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COMAX® HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers)

HALS
Product Chemical description Supply form
Sterically hindered amine

COMAX ® HA-544 Powder

Product Description

COMAX® HA-544
is used in ployolefin and flexible PVC applications. It is preferred for use with flexible
PVC due to its effectiveness and compatibility with other HALS products. COMAX® HA-
544 thus increases the light and heat stability of flexible PVC.

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COMAX® HALS

Applications

HALS products are used mainly in polyolefines. Combined with a UV absorber, they
show outstanding results against weathering.

Excellent light and thermal stability can be achieved in outdoor applications of flexible
PVC. Typical applications are roofing foils, sealing tapes and printable films for
advertising.

HALS products typically demonstrate low effectiveness when used in transparent PVC
applications.

Combined with benzotriazole UV absorbers, HALS shows a strong synergistic effect.

In PVC applications, the combination of HALS and metal soap stabilizer prevents the
drop in thermal stability and aging properties typically associated with these stabilizers.
Instead, a consistent and delayed quality decline occurs.

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COMAX® Antioxidants

Antioxidants
Product Chemical description Supply form
Sterically hindered phenol

COMAX ® AO-110 Powder

Sterically hindered phenol

COMAX ® AO-176 Powder

Sterically hindered phenol

COMAX ® AO-R300 Powder

Sterically hindered phenol

COMAX ® AO-R1098 Powder

Sterically hindered phenol

COMAX ® AO-R3114 Powder

Thio-antioxidant

COMAX ® AO-R412 Powder

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COMAX® Antioxidants

Antioxidants
Product Chemical description Supply form
Phosphite

COMAX ® AO-R168 Powder

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COMAX® Antioxidants

Product Descriptions

COMAX® AO-110
shows excellent fogging behavior which can prove useful in automotive applications.

COMAX® AO-176
is used in almost all areas of plastics processing as the standard antioxidant. Its use is
increasing particularly in polyolefin and PVC applications.

COMAX® AO-R300
is used in a wide range of applications and in many types of plastics, including ABS,
PVC, PET, PE, PP and rubbers.

COMAX® AO-R1098
is an antioxidant for polyamides.

COMAX® AO-R3114
is a standard antioxidant for ABS and polyolefines.

COMAX® AO-R412
is a thio-antioxidant. This product demonstrates very low volatility and contributes
greatly to heat resistance.

COMAX® AO-R168
is a solid phosphite used as a co-stabilizer. It is important to note for materials
processing that it is delivered as a fine white powder, unlike many phosphite products.

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COMAX® Antioxidants

Applications

Antioxidants are used as additives in all types of plastics. Degrading and oxidizing
processes occur in various manners in production, processing and application of
plastics. Degradation is not only of concern for base polymers, but also for other
components of the formula that can be affected.

Many PVC formulas and heat stabilizers already contain with antioxidants, making their
use as an additive unnecessary. In some cases, the addition of antioxidants is essential
for improving the weathering properties of PVC copolymers.

The addition of antioxidants is often indicated in flexible PVC and plastisol applications
in order to improve the aging behavior of the plasticizer. The application of a cost-
effective antioxidant is preferable to a UV absorber in this situation.

In modified, dark-colored rigid PVC, antioxidants prevent the greying of the inherent
color of the modifier and plasticizer.

The aging behaviors of plastics used in humid or tropical climates is dramatically

improved through the use of antioxidants.

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COMAX® Antistatic Agents

Antistatics
Product Chemical description Supply form

COMAX ® AS-1 Sulphonate Granules

Highly viskose
COMAX ® AS-2 Fatty acid ester
liquid

Product Descriptions

COMAX® AS-1
is a highly effective antistatic agent for use in rigid PVC and ABS, as well as transparent
applications. COMAX® AS-1 also has a considerable lubricating effect.

COMAX® AS-2
is highly effective in flexible PVC applications. This product has a semifluid consistency.

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COMAX® Antistatic Agents

Applications

Plastics are electrical insulators. For certain applications, this disadvantageous

property necessitates the addition of an antistatic agent.

The duration of the antistatic effect is often important. Likewise, a long-lasting and
consistent surface resistance is usually desirable. COMAX® antistatic agents meet
these requirements.

Antistatic agents migrate to the surface of the material so as to be effective. Sufficient

humidity is necessary for adequate electrical discharge.

As effective surface additives, antistatics also show secondary effects in some

applications. Migration effects must also be taken into consideration for printing or
coating applications.

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COMAX® Lubricants

Lubricants
Product Chemical description Supply form

COMAX ® GM-EBS Ethylene bis-stearamide (Amide wax) Powder

COMAX ® GM-PA 80 Paraffine wax (Fischer-Tropsch) Granules

COMAX ® GM-PA 110 Paraffine wax (Fischer-Tropsch) Microbeads

®
COMAX GM-PO 100 Oxidized PE wax Microbeads

COMAX ® GM-PO 108 PE wax Microbeads

®
COMAX GM-DCE Dicarboxylic acid ester Powder

Product Descriptions - COMAX® GM

The listed lubricants are standard products for PVC applications.

The COMAX® GM product range includes a great number of further lubricants for
thermoplastics.

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COMAX®
Areas of use

PVC PE PS
Product PET PA PC
Rigid Flexible Paste PP ABS

COMAX ® OA + ++ ++ + + + ++
COMAX ® UV-120 ++ ++ ++ + + + +
COMAX ® UV-126 ++ ++ ++ ++ +
®
COMAX UV-127 + ++ ++ ++
®
COMAX UV-130F ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
COMAX ® UV-142 ++ + + ++ ++
®
COMAX UV-181 ++ ++ ++ + +
®
COMAX UV-200 ++ ++
®
COMAX UV-280 ++ + + ++ + ++ ++
®
COMAX UV-285 ++ ++ ++ ++
COMAX ® HA-544 ++ +
COMAX ® AO-110 ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
®
COMAX AO-176 ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
COMAX ® AO-R300 + + ++ ++ ++
®
COMAX AO-R1098 ++
®
COMAX AO-R3114 ++ ++ +
®
COMAX AO-R412 ++ +
®
COMAX AO-168 + ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
COMAX ® AS-1 ++ ++
®
COMAX AS-2 ++ ++
COMAX ® GM-EBS ++ ++ ++
®
COMAX GM-PA 80 ++
®
COMAX GM-PA 110 ++
®
COMAX GM-PO 100 ++
®
COMAX GM-PO 108 ++
®
COMAX GM-DCE ++ ++

Key: ++ excellent
+ good

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Disclaimer

The information contained in this brochure is correct to the best of our knowledge. Please refer
to the pertinent Material Safety Data Sheets for the products mentioned herein. All sales are
subject to COMA Additive GmbH standard terms and conditions of sale. Except as expressly
provided in our standard terms and conditions of sale, no warranty, express or implied,
including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, is made with respect
to the products described herein. Nothing contained herein shall constitute permission or
recommendation to practice any invention covered by a patent without a license from the
owner of the patent. Food approvals might not be granted for your specific application of the
respective product.

COMAX® is a registrered trademark of COMA Additive GmbH

07/2008
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 07/2008

COMA Additive GmbH

Bahnstrasse 8 . D-65205 Wiesbaden . Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 611.238 6663 . Fax: +49 (0) 611.238 6664 . service@coma-additive.de
www.coma-additive.de