Antioxidants Polymer Additives: The Effective Oxidation Fighters | Tosaf - Additive and Color Solutions for the Plastic Industry (2024)

Tosaf’s advanced antioxidants polymer additives prevent material degradation during the thermal processing stage, while also ensuring an optimal lifecycle for many plastic products.

In this article, we will discuss antioxidant additives for plastics. We will delve into their importance as stabilizers that fight oxidation that can cause harmful product degradation. At Tosaf, we manufacture advanced antioxidant additives for a wide range of plastic products. These antioxidants are an inseparable part of the company’s solution portfolio. After reading this article, you many have additional questions. If you do, please do not hesitate to contact the Tosaf team. We will be happy to provide you with valuable information on antioxidant additives for plastics, or any other solution that interests you.

The importance of antioxidant additives in the plastics industry

antioxidants polymer additives are essential because they help prevent a process called oxidation. By doing so, they are able to stabilize the plastic products’ qualities and slow degradation processes.

Oxidation, as you may already know, is a process in which oxygen comes in contact with a certain material and impacts that material. The impact, which is usually a form of degradation, occurs due to free radicals that react to the material’s molecules, setting off a chemical chain reaction. Oxidation is more common than you might think. Just recall the last time you saw a fruit that had gradually turned brown, or meat in the refrigerator that started to smell differently.

In many ways, oxidation can work the same way on polymers. But while the oxidation process is essentially the same, the impact on polymers differs drastically from the impact on an apple or a peach. First of all, plastic products are manufactured at extreme temperatures. This compromises the raw polymers, as they are exposed to a process called thermal oxidation. In order for the process to succeed – and for the polymer to remain stable – antioxidants must be introduced during the manufacturing process.

But that’s not all. After they are manufactured, plastics can still be vulnerable to oxidation. Certain plastics are more vulnerable than others, but oxidation can have a negative impact on the product’s external qualities and lifecycle. An antioxidant masterbatch can help curb harmful oxidative processes.

The plastic products that most commonly contain antioxidant additives include:

  • A variety of pipes and fittings used in the building & construction industry
  • Polyethylene films (PE films) used a variety of applications, from construction to food packaging
  • Products and films made from polypropylene (PP)

What kinds of antioxidant additives does Tosaf manufacture?

Tosaf is very well known for its antioxidants for PE films. These solutions contain a 10% synergetic combination of effective antioxidants.

AO4875PE is an antioxidant additive for polyethylene film processing and application. This solution helps retain color, while also preventing gel formation. In addition, this additive can maintain an adequate Melt Flow Index (MFI) of recycled materials.

AO8513PE is an antioxidant additive that provides PE and PP films with highly reliable thermal stability. In addition to offering long-term stability, this product is also very cost-effective.

What other stabilizing additives does Tosaf produce?

Stabilizing additives are extremely important in the plastics industry, as they offer resistance to various degradation processes and chemical reactions that can harm the polymers. We’ve discussed antioxidants in this article, but we manufacture many other types of additives that are classified as stabilizers.

For example, Tosaf manufactures UV light stabilizers that are used to protect plastic products from the destabilizing effects of UV light. Another example is our line of flame retardant (FR) masterbatches, which reduce the polymers’ susceptibility to burning and to succumbing to fire.

It is important to note that our stabilizing additives – as well as other additives such as anti-slips, anti-fogs and more – are designed to work together as an additive “package” for specific plastic products. At Tosaf, we provide unique additive combinations that are uniquely designed for every product on the market.

Does Tosaf operate on a global level?

Tosaf supplies additives used in polymer processing to thousands of clients all over the world. We proudly serve approx. 5000 clients who operate in 50 countries across the globe. To keep up with demand and supply high service integrity, we currently operate 14 manufacturing facilities in diverse global locations.

What are some of the industries that benefit from Tosaf’s signature service?

Our additive, masterbatch and color solution portfolios are used all over the world, by major players from diverse industries. We work extensively with the automotive, packaging and building & construction industries, as well as with the sport & leisure, textile, agriculture and electronic sectors.

We are privileged to offer leading industries with state-of-the-art solutions, which improve their products’ mechanical and physical properties – while complying with strict regulations. Our global operations also adhere to important sustainable values.

Want to learn more about our antioxidants polymer additives? We are here to help. For more information, please contact the Tosaf team via email or phone. Our representatives will be more than happy to discuss your needs, and provide you with data that will help you make informed decisions.

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Antioxidants Polymer Additives: The Effective Oxidation Fighters | Tosaf - Additive and Color Solutions for the Plastic Industry (2024)

FAQs

What is an antioxidant additive for plastics? ›

Antioxidants are added to plastics to inhibit degradation caused by thermo-mechanical or thermo-oxidative conditions. Antioxidants extend a product's life, enhance the appearance and maintain its strength, stiffness and flexibility.

What do antioxidants do for plastic? ›

The importance of antioxidant additives in the plastics industry. antioxidants polymer additives are essential because they help prevent a process called oxidation. By doing so, they are able to stabilize the plastic products' qualities and slow degradation processes.

What additives are used to improve the properties of plastics? ›

What are Plastic Additives?
  • Glass and Carbon: Carbon and glass are commonly used material additives that add structural integrity, toughness, and rigidity to a thermoplastic. ...
  • Fire Retardants: Fire retardants are compounds added to plastic resins to help inhibit burning. ...
  • UV Stabilizers: ...
  • Colorants: ...
  • Release Agents: ...
  • Teflon:
May 20, 2021

What is the purpose of adding polymer additives in plastic product? ›

Additives are chemicals added to the base polymer to improve processability, prolong the life span, and/or achieve the desired physical or chemical properties in the final product. While the content of additives is typically only a few percent, their impact on polymer performance and stability is significant.

What are examples of antioxidant polymers? ›

Common antioxidant polymers include essential vitamins such as retinoids, ascorbic acid, tocopherols, and polyphenolic compounds epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), quercetin, curcumin, and resveratrol [31].

What is an example of an antioxidant additive? ›

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a pure antioxidant, whereas sorbic acid (or sorbate salts) and benzoic acid (or benzoate salts) are pure preservatives. However, it is not completely clear why propyl gallate is considered an antioxidant or sodium sulfite is considered a preservative.

How do you remove oxidation from plastic? ›

Fortunately, you can easily remove oxidation with sandpaper, vinegar, or a bleach solution. Plastic that has faded to a yellow or brown color was made with bromine, which causes the plastic to change color over time. However, you can reverse bromine discoloration with hydrogen peroxide.

Is BHT harmful to the body? ›

Health Impacts of BHT Products

As an endocrine disruptor, it can impact testosterone levels as well as affect sperm quality. Another reason why BHT isn't good for you is that it might cause enlargements in the liver, inflammatory effects in the lungs, renal dysfunction, and a decrease in potassium levels [5].

How do you protect plastic from oxidation? ›

By regularly applying a protectant or dressing to your vehicle's exterior plastic, rubber and vinyl trim you can prevent future oxidation and fading. It's much more efficient to apply trim protectant to these pieces while they're still new, rather than restoring old and neglected trim.

What are the most common polymer additives? ›

The most commonly used polymer additives are stabilizers, plasticizers, impact modifiers, and flame retardants. H bonds in polymer chains and result in chain session or crosslinking [3]. Therefore, the polymeric materials will experience severe loss of physical and mechanical properties.

What are 2 common chemicals added to plastics? ›

Table 1. Chemicals of concern used as additives in plastics
AbbreviationCommon nameFunction
DBPDibutyl phthalatePlasticiser
BPABisphenol AAntioxidant
4NPNonylphenolAntioxidant
NPNonylphenolAntioxidant
9 more rows
Oct 10, 2021

What is added to plastic to make it stronger? ›

2.9 Fillers/Extenders. Function: Natural substances used to improve strength and lower the cost of the material. Usually mineral-based, fillers/extenders literally increase the overall "bulk" of the plastic.

How do plastic additives affect the environment? ›

Since plastic additives are not covalently bound, they can freely leach into the environment. Due to their occurrence in various environmental settings, the additives exert significant ecotoxicity. However, only 25% of plastic additives have been characterized for their potential ecological concern.

What does polymer additive do? ›

MAPEI's Polymer Additive is an acrylic latex admixture used to enhance the performance of dry-set mortars as well as Mosaic & Glass Tile Mortar. This highly recommended admixture enhances bond strength, flexural strength and freeze/thaw durability.

Why are polymers used in plastics? ›

Although each polymer has unique characteristics, most polymers have some general properties: They are resistant to chemicals. They are insulators of heat and electricity. They are light in mass and have varying degrees of strength.

What are anti aging additives in plastic? ›

Anti-aging additives are commonly used in polymer materials to enhance their durability and prolong their lifespan. Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers (HALS) help protect polymers from UV radiation by acting as free radical scavengers.

Which antioxidant is used to prevent oxidative degradation of plastic? ›

Importance of Antioxidant 1010 in the Plastic Industry

The primary function of Antioxidant 1010 in the plastic industry is to prevent oxidative degradation. As a hindered phenolic antioxidant, it effectively scavenges and neutralizes free radicals generated during oxidation processes.

What additive breaks down plastic? ›

Pro-oxidant additives are commonly used to enhance the rate of biodegradation of polyethylene and polyethylene films. Polyethylene is a very common polymer used in many everyday plastic products, such as water bottles, grocery bags, and drain pipes.

References

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