Posted in

What are the additives used in Chlorinated Polyethylene?

by joanne•

Hey there! I’m a supplier of Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE), and I often get asked about the additives used in CPE. So, I thought I’d write this blog to share some insights on this topic. Chlorinated Polyethylene

First off, let’s understand what Chlorinated Polyethylene is. It’s a synthetic rubber that’s made by chlorinating high – density polyethylene. CPE has a bunch of great properties like good chemical resistance, weather resistance, and flame retardancy. But to make it even better and suitable for different applications, we use various additives.

1. Stabilizers

One of the most important types of additives in CPE is stabilizers. These are like the bodyguards of the CPE. They protect it from degradation caused by heat, light, and oxygen.

  • Heat Stabilizers: When we process CPE, it goes through high – temperature conditions. Heat stabilizers prevent the CPE from breaking down during this process. For example, metal soaps like calcium stearate and zinc stearate are commonly used. They react with the hydrogen chloride that might be released during the heating process, which could otherwise cause the polymer to degrade. Without heat stabilizers, the CPE would start to lose its properties, become brittle, and change color.

  • Light Stabilizers: CPE is often used in outdoor applications, where it’s exposed to sunlight. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can break the chemical bonds in CPE over time. Light stabilizers, such as hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS), absorb the UV energy and convert it into heat, which is then dissipated. This way, they prevent the CPE from becoming weak and losing its flexibility due to UV exposure.

2. Plasticizers

Plasticizers are another key additive. They make the CPE more flexible and easier to work with. Think of them as a kind of lubricant for the polymer chains.

  • Phthalates: These were once the most commonly used plasticizers. They work by inserting themselves between the polymer chains of CPE, reducing the intermolecular forces. This makes the CPE softer and more pliable. However, due to some concerns about their potential health effects, the use of certain phthalates has been restricted in some applications.

  • Non – Phthalate Plasticizers: Nowadays, we’re seeing a shift towards non – phthalate plasticizers like adipates and trimellitates. They offer similar performance to phthalates but are considered to be safer. For example, dioctyl adipate (DOA) is a popular non – phthalate plasticizer. It gives CPE good low – temperature flexibility, which is great for applications where the material needs to remain flexible in cold environments.

3. Flame Retardants

Since CPE is used in many applications where fire safety is important, flame retardants are added to it.

  • Halogen – Based Flame Retardants: These were widely used in the past. Chlorinated and brominated flame retardants work by releasing halogen radicals when exposed to fire. These radicals react with the free radicals produced during combustion, interrupting the combustion chain reaction and thus reducing the flammability of the CPE. However, there are also some environmental and health concerns associated with halogen – based flame retardants, so their use is being re – evaluated.

  • Non – Halogen Flame Retardants: In recent years, there has been a growing demand for non – halogen flame retardants. For example, aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide are commonly used. They work by releasing water when heated, which cools the material and dilutes the combustible gases. They are more environmentally friendly and are becoming the preferred choice for many applications.

4. Fillers

Fillers are used to improve the mechanical properties of CPE and also to reduce the cost.

  • Calcium Carbonate: It’s one of the most widely used fillers in CPE. Calcium carbonate can increase the stiffness and hardness of the CPE. It’s also relatively inexpensive, which helps to lower the overall cost of the product. The particle size of calcium carbonate can affect its performance. Finer particles generally provide better reinforcement.

  • Silica: Silica is another filler that can improve the mechanical properties of CPE. It can enhance the tear strength and abrasion resistance of the material. It also has good chemical stability, which makes it suitable for use in various environments.

5. Antioxidants

Antioxidants are used to prevent the oxidation of CPE. Oxidation can occur when CPE is exposed to oxygen in the air, especially at high temperatures.

  • Phenolic Antioxidants: These are commonly used in CPE. They work by donating a hydrogen atom to the free radicals formed during the oxidation process, thus stabilizing the radicals and preventing further oxidation. For example, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a well – known phenolic antioxidant. It’s relatively inexpensive and effective in protecting CPE from oxidation.

Why These Additives Matter

The use of these additives is crucial for making CPE suitable for different applications. For example, in the wire and cable industry, the addition of flame retardants and stabilizers ensures that the CPE insulation can withstand high temperatures and prevent fires. In the automotive industry, the use of plasticizers and fillers makes the CPE parts more flexible and cost – effective.

As a CPE supplier, I understand the importance of getting the right combination of additives. We have a team of experts who are constantly researching and testing different additive formulations to ensure that our CPE products meet the highest quality standards.

Acrylic Processing Aid If you’re in the market for Chlorinated Polyethylene and are interested in learning more about how the additives can be tailored to your specific needs, I’d love to have a chat with you. Whether you need CPE for a small – scale project or a large – scale industrial application, we can work together to find the best solution. Just reach out, and we can start discussing your requirements.

References

  • "Handbook of Polymer Science and Technology"
  • "Plastics Additives: An A – Z Reference"
  • "Rubber Technology: Compounding, Processing, and Testing of Rubber Materials"

Shandong Repolyfine Chemical Co., Ltd.
Shandong Repolyfine Chemical Co., Ltd. is well-known as one of the leading chlorinated polyethylene manufacturers and suppliers in China. If you’re going to buy high quality chlorinated polyethylene at competitive price, welcome to get more information from our factory.
Address: WEST OF CHENGXI RES,XIXIAGAO VILLIAGE,NANMA TOWN,YIYUAN COUNTY,ZIBO CITY,SHANDONG PROVINCE,CHINA
E-mail: sale@repolyfine.com
WebSite: https://www.repolyfine.com/