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HIGH PERFORMANCE FILLERS
07 September 2006 - Rapra Technology Limited
| Judging by the success of this year’s meeting, the second Rapra conference on High Performance Fillers seems to have achieved the difficult task of finding a niche in today’s crowded conference season. |
Judging by the success of this year’s meeting, the second Rapra conference on High Performance Fillers seems to have achieved the difficult task of finding a niche in today’s crowded conference season. The meeting attracted over 100 delegates and speakers from Europe, the United States and Asia. Both filler producers and users were well represented. The papers covered the markets for high performance fillers, and the main trends in those markets. Specific topics covered included energy tyres, emerging filler technologies, including nanofillers and natural fibre fillers and surface modifiers. The European market for particulate fillers was estimated at 4.8 million tonnes by Professor Rothon with a predominance of carbon blacks and natural calcium carbonates, but also talcs, precipitated silicas, clays and aluminium hydroxide. Around 20,000 tonnes of surface modifiers are used to improve filler performance, predominantly organosilanes, as discussed by Dow Corning. About 5,000 tonnes of mica/annum are used in plastics, Quarzwerke showed data on mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene copolymer and PA6 with mica fillers. Dr Chris DeArmitt of BASF described experiments with fine calcium carbonate fillers in different thermoplastics at 10 wt%. Modulus increased, yield strength was unchanged, elongation to break decreased and melt viscosity increased, but impact properties were unpredictable. Imerys presented data on Opacilite which is a flash calcined clay with applications as an extender for titanium dioxide. Oxonica have been studying titanium dioxide and methods of reducing free radicals. World Minerals outlined their experiments on the use of diatomaceous earth as a functional filler. Electrolux have looked at filler antioxidant interactions in PP. The University of Bayreuth gave an overview of nanocomposites in films, foams and large-scale components. Sasol has produced DISPERAL and DISPAL high purity, highly dispersible, nano-sized aluminas as liquid and solid dispersions. These have been used in polypropylene, polyamide and epoxy nanocomposites. Professor Drzal described the use of nanographite platelets in epoxy and nylon composites, the modulus can be three times greater than with nanoclays. Nanocyl have studied carbon nanotubes and are tackling the issues of proper dispersion and distribution to get the optimal material properties, including electrical conductivity as good as copper. Professor Camino has used POSS in PP, PA6 and PBT and found that it formed a stable ceramic layer that protects the underlying material. Hybrid Plastics are experimenting with variations in the POSS structure including trapping metal atoms in the cage. Professor Kenig talked about enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of adhesives with nanofillers. Professor Hornsby talked about methods of improving performance in natural fibre reinforced thermoplastics. Trovotech have worked on incorporating foamed glass fillers into polymeric materials, including a silver ion exchanged antimicrobial product. Potters Europe gave a presentation on their glass microspheres. Wollastonite fillers from RT Vanderbilt have been used to enhance stiffness, impact, mar and scratch resistance. Eckart have special effect pigments to achieve aluminium, goldbronze and pearlescent effects. New developments include oxidised, tinted aluminium pigments and pure iron flakes which also add conductivity and magnetic properties as well as optical effects.
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About: Rapra Technology Limited
Rapra Technology is Europe’s leading independent plastics and rubber consultancy. Rapra provides comprehensive consultancy, technology and information services for the polymer industry and industries using plastics and rubber in any component, product or production process.
Company Statistics: Formerly the Rubber and Plastics Research Association (RAPRA)
Established 1919
5,000 clients worldwide per annum
2,000 technical projects each year
World class Information Centre
2 sites in the UK
130 staff Working for industry. Rapra provides specialist plastics and rubber technical, information and commercial services for the polymer industry and end-user industries including the automotive, construction, electrical, medical, offshore, packaging and polyurethane sectors. Rapra has a unique mix of on-site expertise and facilities enabling the application of an integrated approach to problem solving. Its capabilities lie in the skills and experience of its people, many of whom are recognised as leading experts in their field. Clients can commission individual services,specialist consultancy or participate in multi-client research projects, funded by EC and UK government and/or industry, to progress research and development of polymer technology and applications. Testing, analysis and calibration services. Rapra’s physical testing, analytical and chemical laboratories are UKAS accredited to provide UKAS certification and test to a range of national and international standards. Numerous physical tests assess material properties such as abrasion, fatigue, impact and stress and their performance in products in particular conditions. Rapra’s analytical and chemical laboratories undertake materials identification and characterisation etc. using a range of advanced chromatographic, spectroscopic and thermal techniques. Information services. Rapra’s technical facilities are complemented by an extensive polymer Information Centre. The Polymer Library is the world’s most comprehensive plastics and rubber information database in the public domain. Available either in hardcopy, on CD-ROM or via the internet, it contains over 850,000 references which are updated every two weeks. Rapra produces a range of publications including Journals, Industrial Analysis Reports, Review Reports and global Directories, detailed in a Publications Catalogue. Technology services. Rapra’s plastics and rubber technical services can prevent, identify or solve problems and improve on or ensure continuing quality. Supported by comprehensive testing, analysis and information facilities, technologists can tackle most polymer related projects. Whilst details of specialist services are available, the following represents Rapra’s core technical expertise: Materials selection & application support
Product design & development
Manufacturing process development
Prototyping & small scale production
Engineering & tooling
Fault & failure diagnosis
Testing & Analysis
Conferences
Rapra brings together leading academics and industrialists in an annual programme of national and international conferences. Renowned for their quality coverage of polymer topics, Rapra conferences are of interest to polymer processors and industry-wide users. Technology Training Courses
Rapra runs an extensive programme of short technology-based training courses covering materials, product design, processing techniques and environmental considerations. Recognised by the Institute of Materials Continuing Professional Development scheme, they aim to enhance in-house skills, help in identifying problems and to recognise potential opportunities. |
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