This book is a comprehensive reference for anyone working with polymers and rubber. It provides information on the properties of the most important additives that can be used to alter the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of rubber and plastics.
The growth in polymer additives (6.1% per year during the forecast period of 2021-2028) will be much faster than the population growth for the same period (predicted to be around 0.9% per year). Also, the production of additives is expected to increase faster than the production of polymers (6.1% vs. 5.1%, respectively), which is an excellent testimony to the fact that the emphasis on additives has gradually increased. That is not surprising since they, at small doses, influence many properties beyond the reach of polymers alone. It should also be noticed that less than 8% expenditure on additives (compared to the cost of polymers) makes such a big difference in their performance. Usually, the incorporation of additives increases target physicomechanical and chemical properties by tens (and sometimes hundreds) of percent.
The companion book - The Encyclopedia of Polymer and Rubber Additives contains information on the mechanisms of action of each group of additives, their suitable features and modifications, their effect, and interferences in complex formulations, and it is illustrated with numerous experimental examples highlighting their performance.
The Databook of the Most Important Polymer and Rubber Additives contains information on the most critical additives in each of the 85 groups. Additives are presented by their main chemical component. The information for each additive is given in the form of a table, which is divided into 5 sections, including General, Physical properties, Health & Safety, Ecological, and Use and applications. Each group of additives requires a different set of data but information identifies the chemical composition (as much as it is available), small additions and modifications, concentrations of various vital components, CAS#s, EC#s, RTECS#s in General section; acid/base properties, color, odor, and state identification, melting and boiling points, various cloud points, various coefficients and constants (e.g., Antoine equation, Hansen solubility parameters, Henry's law, Hildebrand solubility parameter, expansion, etc.), density or specific gravity, heats of combustion and vaporization, pH, particle size, refractive index, solubility, surface tension, thermal conductivity, volatility data, viscosity data, and many other specific data in Physical properties section; various transportation requirements, autoignition temperature, flash point, explosion limits, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, and mutagenicity, HMIS and NPFA classifications, animal test data, ACGIH, NIOSH, and OSHA permissible concentrations, effects on various organs and remedies in the case of exposure, and UN risk, safety, and class in Health & Safety section; toxicity to various types of fish and organisms, oxygen demands, biodegradation probability, bioconcentration data, air pollution data, and partition coefficients in Ecological section; and outstanding properties, applications in different polymers and products, processing requirements and doses, food approvals, substitutes, and conditions to avoid in the Use and application section.
The data in this book is useful to:
• Technical managers who need concise and specific information on the latest plastic and rubber additives, fillers, and modifiers used in various industries
• Research personnel
• University professors and students of chemistry and chemical engineering
• Sales representatives working for suppliers of raw materials, additives, and other chemicals
Anna Wypych studied chemical engineering and polymer chemistry and obtained an M.Sc in chemical engineering. Her professional expertise includes both teaching and research & development. She specializes in polymer additives for PVC and other polymers, and evaluates their effect on health and environment.
George Wypych has a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. His professional expertise includes both university teaching (full professor) and research and development. He has published 18 books, 47 scientific papers, and he has obtained 16 patents. He specializes in polymer additives, polymer processing and formulation, material durability and the development of sealants and coatings.