An antioxidant is a chemical compound that prevents oxygen from reacting with other compounds that are susceptible to oxidation. Polymer antioxidant, is a class of heat stabilizers, can be added to improve the shelf life of the product or to improve its high-temperature stability. While adding a stability margin during thermal processing.
Advanced antioxidant polymer additives prevent material degradation during the heat treatment stage, while also ensuring an optimal life cycle for many plastic products.
In this article, we will discuss antioxidant additives for plastics. We will delve into their importance as stabilizers against oxidation, which can lead to detrimental product degradation.
The importance of antioxidant additives in the plastics industry
Antioxidant polymer additives are essential because they help prevent a process called oxidation. By doing so, they are able to stabilize the quality of the plastic product and slow down the degradation process.
As you may already know, oxidation is the process by which oxygen comes into contact with and affects a material. This effect, usually a form of degradation, occurs as a result of free radicals reacting with material molecules, initiating a chemical chain reaction. Oxidation is more common than you might think. Think back to the last time you saw fruit gradually browning, or the meat in the fridge started smelling different.
In many ways, oxidation can act on polymers in the same way. However, while the oxidation process is essentially the same, the effect on the polymer is very different from that of an apple or a peach. First, plastic products are manufactured at extreme temperatures. This damages the original polymers as they are exposed to a process called thermal oxidation. For the process to be successful — and to keep the polymer stable — antioxidants must be introduced into the manufacturing process.
But that’s not all. After manufacture, plastics are still susceptible to oxidation. Certain plastics are more fragile than others, but oxidation can negatively affect the external quality and life cycle of the product. Antioxidant masterbatches can help inhibit harmful oxidation processes.
Plastic products that most commonly contain antioxidant additives include:
A wide range of pipes and fittings for the building and construction industry
Polyethylene film (PE film) is used in a wide variety of applications, from construction to food packaging
Products and films made from polypropylene (PP)
We manufacture advanced antioxidant additives for a variety of plastic products. These antioxidants are an integral part of the company’s solutions portfolio. After reading this article, you have many other questions. Feel free to contact us anytime.