Use of Multi-Hollow Polyester Particles as Opacifying Agent for Injection-Molded Polyethylene
Titanium dioxide is considered the most efficient white pigment for opacification of thermoplastics. However, its high cost, combined with strong price oscillations due to production bottlenecks, has been driving the industry towards alternatives that might allow reducing the titanium dioxide conten...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/6/1331 |
| _version_ | 1797565598040850432 |
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| author | João F. A. Silva Tânia M. T. Carvalho Margarida L. Almeida Paula Pereira Helena Sousa Jorge Martins Luísa Carvalho Fernão D. Magalhães |
| author_facet | João F. A. Silva Tânia M. T. Carvalho Margarida L. Almeida Paula Pereira Helena Sousa Jorge Martins Luísa Carvalho Fernão D. Magalhães |
| author_sort | João F. A. Silva |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Titanium dioxide is considered the most efficient white pigment for opacification of thermoplastics. However, its high cost, combined with strong price oscillations due to production bottlenecks, has been driving the industry towards alternatives that might allow reducing the titanium dioxide content, while maintaining the product’s opacity. A strategy commonly used in waterborne paints consists in adding hollow polymer particles to the formulation, therefore achieving opacification due to light refraction at the air/polymer interface. In the current work, we show preliminary results that indicate that a similar strategy can be followed for thermoplastics opacification, as long as thermoset particles are used, in order to ensure preservation of the hollow geometry during melt-processing. Multi-vesiculated crosslinked styrene–polyester particles, produced by a single-step double emulsion process, are used. Evidence of synergic interaction between the multi-hollow particles and titanium dioxide has been found. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:14:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d10b1aeae7a24db0949b5bb3d876948a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:14:27Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-d10b1aeae7a24db0949b5bb3d876948a2023-11-20T03:30:58ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602020-06-01126133110.3390/polym12061331Use of Multi-Hollow Polyester Particles as Opacifying Agent for Injection-Molded PolyethyleneJoão F. A. Silva0Tânia M. T. Carvalho1Margarida L. Almeida2Paula Pereira3Helena Sousa4Jorge Martins5Luísa Carvalho6Fernão D. Magalhães7LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalLEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalDEMAD, Department of Wood Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Campus Politécnico de Repeses, 3504-510 Viseu, PortugalIsolago, Estrada Nacional 3–km 16, 2050-038 Aveiras de Baixo, PortugalIsolago, Estrada Nacional 3–km 16, 2050-038 Aveiras de Baixo, PortugalDEMAD, Department of Wood Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Campus Politécnico de Repeses, 3504-510 Viseu, PortugalLEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalLEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalTitanium dioxide is considered the most efficient white pigment for opacification of thermoplastics. However, its high cost, combined with strong price oscillations due to production bottlenecks, has been driving the industry towards alternatives that might allow reducing the titanium dioxide content, while maintaining the product’s opacity. A strategy commonly used in waterborne paints consists in adding hollow polymer particles to the formulation, therefore achieving opacification due to light refraction at the air/polymer interface. In the current work, we show preliminary results that indicate that a similar strategy can be followed for thermoplastics opacification, as long as thermoset particles are used, in order to ensure preservation of the hollow geometry during melt-processing. Multi-vesiculated crosslinked styrene–polyester particles, produced by a single-step double emulsion process, are used. Evidence of synergic interaction between the multi-hollow particles and titanium dioxide has been found.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/6/1331opacifieropacitythermoplastichollow particles |
| spellingShingle | João F. A. Silva Tânia M. T. Carvalho Margarida L. Almeida Paula Pereira Helena Sousa Jorge Martins Luísa Carvalho Fernão D. Magalhães Use of Multi-Hollow Polyester Particles as Opacifying Agent for Injection-Molded Polyethylene Polymers opacifier opacity thermoplastic hollow particles |
| title | Use of Multi-Hollow Polyester Particles as Opacifying Agent for Injection-Molded Polyethylene |
| title_full | Use of Multi-Hollow Polyester Particles as Opacifying Agent for Injection-Molded Polyethylene |
| title_fullStr | Use of Multi-Hollow Polyester Particles as Opacifying Agent for Injection-Molded Polyethylene |
| title_full_unstemmed | Use of Multi-Hollow Polyester Particles as Opacifying Agent for Injection-Molded Polyethylene |
| title_short | Use of Multi-Hollow Polyester Particles as Opacifying Agent for Injection-Molded Polyethylene |
| title_sort | use of multi hollow polyester particles as opacifying agent for injection molded polyethylene |
| topic | opacifier opacity thermoplastic hollow particles |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/6/1331 |
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