ACR Additives Selection Guide

I. Introduction

ACR additives (acrylate copolymers) play a vital role in plastics processing. It can significantly improve the processing performance, physical properties and appearance quality of plastics. However, there are many kinds of ACR additives on the market, and how to choose the right ACR additives has become an important issue for plastics processing enterprises. This article will elaborate on the factors to be considered when selecting ACR additives.

Second, according to the processing technology selection

(I) Extrusion process

For the extrusion of pipes, profiles and other products, if it is a high-speed extrusion, you need to choose ACR additives with good melt strength and lubricity. This kind of additives can prevent the melt rupture of materials in the extrusion process, to ensure that the product surface is smooth and dimensionally stable. For example, some ACR products with high relative molecular mass and appropriate lubricating groups in the molecular chain are able to maintain good fluidity at high shear speeds, resulting in a smooth extrusion process.

In addition to melt strength and lubricity, the effect of ACR additives on clarity is also of concern when extruding sheet. For extrusion of sheets with high transparency requirements, such as food packaging, ACR additives should be selected that do not affect the transparency of the sheet. Some special structure of the ACR can improve the melt fluidity at the same time, to maintain good optical properties of the sheet.

(ii) Injection molding process

During the injection molding process, ACR additives need to be able to plasticize quickly and shorten the molding cycle. Low molecular weight ACR additives tend to have a better plasticizing effect during injection molding, and can quickly fill and form in the mold. At the same time, the effect of ACR on the release performance of the product should also be taken into account, and the selection of additives to help the product release smoothly, to avoid damage to the product or increased cycle time due to difficulties in mold release. Some ACR products that contain mold release agents or can improve the interface between the mold and the product are preferred for the injection molding process.

Third, according to the plastic resin type selection

(A) PVC resin

In rigid PVC processing, the main role of ACR additives is to improve the processing performance and physical and mechanical properties of products. For door and window profiles and other rigid PVC products, need to choose ACR can enhance the impact strength of products, weather resistance, for example, ACR containing a specific rubber phase structure can effectively absorb impact energy, improve the impact resistance of profiles, while preventing long-term use of factors such as ultraviolet radiation caused by aging.

In soft PVC processing, ACR additives need to have good compatibility with plasticizers. It can improve the flexibility, tensile strength and other properties of soft PVC. Selecting ACR that can synergize with different types of plasticizers ensures that no plasticizer precipitation occurs during the use of soft PVC products and maintains the stability and softness of the products.

(ii) Other resins

For other resins such as ABS, PP and so on, the selection of ACR additives should be based on the characteristics of these resins. In the processing of ABS resin, if you need to improve its gloss and surface hardness, you can choose ACR additives that can promote the smoothness of the resin surface. For PP resin, if you want to improve its low-temperature brittleness, you can choose ACR with toughening effect, through a special interaction with the PP resin to improve its performance in the low-temperature environment.

Fourth, consider the product performance requirements

(A) mechanical performance requirements

If the products need high impact strength, such as automotive interior plastic parts, children's toys, etc., should choose a good toughening effect of ACR additives. This toughening effect may come from the special dispersion structure of ACR additives in the resin matrix, which can trigger silver lines or shear bands, thus absorbing impact energy.

For products with stringent requirements for tensile and flexural strength, such as plastic structural parts for construction, it is necessary to select ACR additives that can bond well with the resin matrix and enhance the intermolecular forces between resin molecules. Such additives can improve processing performance while ensuring that the products will not be easily deformed or fractured when subjected to tensile and bending loads.

(ii) Appearance Performance Requirements

For the appearance of plastic products requiring high gloss, such as high-grade electrical shells, cosmetic packaging, etc., to choose the ACR additives that can make the surface of the product smooth and flat during processing. Some ACR products that can reduce the surface tension of the resin melt can make the products get better gloss effect.

If the products need matte effect, such as some office supplies or furniture accessories, then you can choose ACR additives with special fillers or ACR additives that can interfere with the reflection of light, by adjusting the composition and structure of the additives to achieve the desired matte appearance.

(iii) Weather resistance requirements

For plastic products used outdoors, such as plastic railings and outdoor billboards, weather resistance is the key. Select ACR additives with UV and oxidation resistance. These additives usually contain groups that can absorb or shield UV rays, as well as components that prevent oxidative degradation of the resin when exposed to air and sunlight for long periods of time, thus extending the service life of the products.

V. Cost Effectiveness Factors

Cost is also an important consideration in the selection of ACR additives. Different brands, different models of ACR additives prices may vary greatly. ACR additives need to be considered comprehensively to enhance the performance of the product and the balance between the cost. Sometimes a higher priced ACR additive may be able to achieve the desired performance improvement at a lower dosage, which may be more advantageous in terms of overall production costs. At the same time, the stability of ACR additives supply should also be considered to ensure that the production process will not be interrupted due to insufficient supply of additives to avoid additional losses.

Conclusion

The selection of ACR additives is a complex process that requires comprehensive consideration of various factors such as processing, resin type, product performance requirements and cost-effectiveness. Only through a thorough understanding of these factors and reasonable selection according to the actual production situation, can we give full play to the advantages of ACR additives, improve the quality and production efficiency of plastic products, and meet the market demand for diversified plastic products. During the selection process, more accurate information can be obtained through tests and communication with suppliers, etc., so as to make the best selection decision.

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