This review sets out to describe the types of flame retardants available for compounding into plastics materials, mechanisms of action and uses. This review provides a clear overview of the state-of-the-art of flame retardancy for plastics. It highlights the new developments and the potential problems with legislation, together with the benefits to end users of protection from fire hazards. This review is accompanied by around 400 abstracts from papers and books in the Rapra Polymer Library.

Handbook of Fillers, Fifth Edition discusses the rapidly advancing field of fillers, the substances added to plastics and composites that add value by improving and modifying the properties of materials and reducing costs. This new edition is an essential reference for engineers and scientists using fillers in a range of materials, including plastics, rubber, adhesives, and paper. Designed to be a comprehensive reference for both experienced practitioners and those new to the field, it covers available fillers and their properties, their effect on filled materials, their rheology and flammability, recycling considerations, and their use in practical applications. The book offers a direct comparison of general-purpose fillers (micron-size fillers) and nanofillers. The first section covers the grades of fillers available in the world market, dividing them into eight groups and analyzing their properties, applications, and sources. The second section discusses the effects of filler incorporation with ten chapters covering the mechanical properties of compounded materials, the effect of the filler on the material rheology, the morphology of the filled system, the material durability, flammability and recycling, the structure of interphase, chemical interphase, chemical interactions, interaction with and effect on other additive, fillers use in material compounds, and the analytical methods of testing fillers and filled materials. The final section is devoted to the application of fillers on an industrial scale. Filler transportation, storage, processing, and equipment used for these purposes are discussed, as are quality control of fillers, formulation with fillers, different processing methods, and health and safety issues. - Synthesizes the literature on fillers, covering their properties, effects on filled materials, rheology, flammability, and more - Provides up-to-date, applicable information on the use of fillers in plastics, rubber, adhesives, and paper - Presents comprehensive coverage on the effect of fillers on materials, including their mechanical properties, their effects on material rheology, the morphology of the filled system, material durability, and more - Includes essential guidance on the industrial scale use of fillers and their transportation, storage, processing, equipment, quality control, and health and safety considerations

Handbook of Antiblocking, Release, and Slip Additives, Fourth Edition, is the only comprehensive reference available on the subject of antiblocking, release, and slip additives, which are of high industrial importance. These additives are used to alter the properties and performances of polymers, minimizing adhesion, aiding separation, and improving the efficiency and cost of processing methods. These characteristics make additives an important topic across the spectrum of industry sectors that employ plastics and polymers. Fully updated to include the latest research and additives, the book considers all essential aspects of chemistry, physical properties, influence on properties of final products, formulations, methods of incorporation, analysis, and effects on health and environment. It also provides a complete analysis of existing literature and patents. Processing is discussed in detail, including coverage of types and concentrations, the effect of the additives on the process and product properties, advantages and disadvantages, and examples of formulations. This combination of data and performance analysis makes the book a vital source of information for industry research and development as well as academia. - Outlines the essential aspects of chemistry, physical properties, influence on properties of final products, formulations, analysis, and effects on health and environment - Reviews the latest literature, related patents, and includes all new information currently available across 18 chemical families - Covers processing including the types and concentrations, effects of additives, and examples of formulations

At a time when it is critical to many plastics processors to add value to products, colorants are an essential part of the additives repertoire. Plastics are often processed at very high temperatures and shear, and products are exposed to heat and light. Colorants must tolerate these conditions to function adequately. This Rapra Review Report provides practical information for plastics processors with regard to colorant selection and the range of products and effects available. The review is accompanied by around 400 abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database, to facilitate further reading on this subject.

A handbook on polyolefins. This second edition includes new material on the structure, morphology and properties of polyolefin (PO) synthesis. It focuses on synthetic advances, the use of additives, special coverage of PO blends, composites and fibres, and surface treatments. It also addresses the problem of interfacial and superficial phenomena.

In spite of extensive efforts, material weathering testing still requires improvement. This book presents findings and opinions of experts in material degradation testing. The aim is to improve testing methods and procedures. Materials are presented to show that photochemical degradation rate depends on a combination of environmental factors such as UV radiation, temperature, humidity, rain, stress, and concentration of reactive pollutants. The potential effect of each parameter of degradation on data gathered is discussed based on known results from a long experience in testing. This book contains data obtained in laboratories of the largest manufacturers of UV stabilizers and chemical companies that manufacture durable materials. The book gives details of testing procedures and choice of parameters of exposure which are crucial for obtaining laboratory results correlating with environmental performance of materials.In addition to exposure conditions, the book contains many suggestions on sample preparation and post-exposure testing. The effective use of these methods shortens testing time of materials and determines acceleration rate of testing. The book also gives examples of complete, well-designed weathering experiments which may be used as patterns for selection of parameters and techniques for new studies. The areas of research that still require more attention in future studies are clearly indicated.

This volume addresses the state of the art in fire retardancy studies and the need for fire retardant chemicals and fire-retarded polymers, while considering the interrelationship among polymer degradation, fire retardant efficacy, fire testing and environmental concerns. The work examines the principles of polymer science with respect to fire retardancy.