The HYDROCEROL ITP Series is designed for use in thin-wall parts requiring the elimination or reduction of sink marks and warpage. Typical examples are injection molded automotive and electronic parts, as well as appliance housings. ITP Series foaming agents will produce a micro-cellular foam with no adverse influence on surface appearance. The use of these products may lead to density reductions of 5 to 10% and lowers resin consumption.
The nucleating agent creates nucleating sites where the physical foaming agent will come out of solution during foam expansion, providing a starting point from which the foam cells start to grow. If a nucleating agent can provide a high number of nucleating sites, more cells will be formed and the average cell size will be smaller. |  |  |
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There are basically two types of nucleating agents: Passive (or inactive) and active nucleators. Passive nucleators include solid materials with fine particle size. Talk would be a typical example. The efficiency of these materials is affected by the shape and size of the particles.
Chemical foaming agents, materials that generate gas upon decomposition, also act as nucleating agents. Mixtures based on sodium bicarbonate and citric acid powders or ready-to-use masterbatches are widely used as interactive nucleating agents.
The nucleation of direct-gassed systems with chemical foaming agents is called "active nucleation." Active nucleators are four to six times more efficient and provide smaller and more uniform cells that passive nucleators.
Foam extrusion with chemical foaming agents can achieve foam densities as low as 500 kg/m3. Lighter weight thermoplastic foams with densities as low as 15 kg/m3 can be produced only with physical foaming agents in a direct-gassed extrusion process. Using HYDROCEROL active nucleating agents produces a more uniform, fine-celled structure. |
HYDROCEROL Regional Contact Information
North America
Clariant MB
382 Arbor Court
Winchester, VA 22602
USA
Phone: +1-540-665-1865
Fax: +1-540-665-2917
HYDRO-NA@clariant.com |