Selected Processing Aids in NBR and CR compounds: How do you know your processing aid is working
Last month we brought to you Why one should use Dispergum Zinc soaps as a processing aid. As a follow on to that this month we address the all-important question: How do you know your processing aid is working. What follows are various testing methods, for both NBR and CR, for the processes used for conversion to […]
Why use a processing aid like Dispergum zinc soap (Part 1)
In this two-part article, we bring to you why one should use processing aids like Dispergum zinc soaps for NBR and CR and in the next month, the all-important question: How do you know your processing aid is working – this alongside tests to show the efficacy of these processing aids. The two most common rubbers Nitrile (NBR) and chloroprene […]
Alleviating the downside of using CaO in EPDM Rubber Profiles
The permissible standard for Calcium Oxide is 5 milligrams of CaO per cubic meter of air averaged over an eight-hour work shift. Some countries have recommended 2 milligrams per cubic meter. CaO has been linked to many health hazards like irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin. Severe burns may result from contact with […]
Accelerators to Control Blooming in EPDM (Part 2)
‘Smartly’ use pre-mixed accelerator blends to control blooming Ethylene a-olefin elastomers, particularly ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubbers, are excellent all-purpose rubbers. Environmental factors such as oxygen, heat UV and ozone tend to degrade the rubbers. These factors cause free radicals to form which attach to the polymer chain and make the rubber harder. Antioxidants are added to […]
Accelerators to Control Blooming in EPDM
‘Smartly’ use pre-mixed accelerator blends to control blooming Curing in EPDM (Ethylene propylene diene) rubbers is much slower compared to curing in conventional diene rubbers. Therefore, it usually requires a high concentration of highly active curing accelerators. This, though, has its own issues as there is a limit to using high amounts of accelerators, as […]
Protection in Plastics against anti-static discharge
Static electricity has its uses, no doubt. Think laser printers, photocopiers and flash bulbs for photography. Why do we call this static electricity? Static electricity is a kind of electric charge that stays in one place, as in it is really is static. On the other hand, current electricity or electric current, is electricity that moves from one place […]
Why use Insoluble Sulphur as a vulcanising agent for Rubber!!
Insoluble sulphur is an important rubber additive. The reason the focus in on the use of INSOLUBLE sulphur is because common soluble sulphur tends to bloom i.e., deposition of sulphur inside or at the surface of the rubber. Insoluble sulphur improves product quality, wearability and resistance to both fatigue and ageing. Insoluble sulphur is mainly used […]
Effect of Particle Size in Dispersions for Latex
A few months ago we published an article ( A Link about Outsourced Dispersions ), making the case of use for readymade dispersions whilst compounding for latex. Apart from the functional and technical requirements of users of additive dispersions, Mr. Paul McKavanagh, Ex Director – Aquaspersions, Malaysia has set up a very valiitive dispersions, Mr. Paul McKavanagh, Ex […]
Here’s How BPA and its substitutes, in PET and PVC Can Harm Your Health
On the 8th of July 2022 Business Insider ran an article, “High level of toxic chemicals found in drinking water across the nation”. The article stated that the level was 29 to 81 times higher than the prescribed limit. This study was from 15 drinking water samples collected from across the country, with a sample […]
Going Beyond Hazardous RISKS in Speciality Chemicals
This month saw policy makers and experts come together to discuss revision in REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Specialty Chemicals) as part of the European Chemical Strategy for Sustainability which aims to achieve the zero pollution by 2050. The ecotoxicologist for the Belgium SME Altertox, Leonie Mueller said and I quote, ” If […]