Impact modifiers

Impact modifiers improve the resistance of materials to stress. Most impact modifiers are
elastomers such as ABS, BS, methacrylate–butadiene–styrene, acrylic, ethylene–vinyl
acetate, and chlorinated polyethylene.
Improve impact strength at low temp
Example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCx0ZI2c3I4
PROCESSING AIDS
Processing aids are added to improve the processing characteristics of a material. They
may increase the rheological and mechanical properties of a melted material. Acrylate
copolymers are often utilized as processing aids.
Example dynamar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWE5dJyvXTY
LUBRICANTS
Lubricants are added to improve the flow characteristics of a material during its processing.
They operate by reducing the melt viscosity or by decreasing adhesion between the metallic
surfaces of the processing equipment and the material being processed. Internal lubricants
reduce molecular friction, consequently decreasing the material’s melt viscosity and allowing
it to flow more easily. External lubricants act by increasing the flow of the material
by decreasing the friction of the melted material as it comes into contact with surrounding
surfaces. In reality, lubricants such as waxes, amides, esters, acids, and metallic stearates
act as both external and internal lubricants.
Lubricants serve as processing aids that prevent the sticking of polymers to
metal surfaces during processing.
MICROORGANISM INHIBITORS
While most synthetic polymers are not directly attacked by microorganisms such as fungi,
yeast, and bacteria, they often allow growth on their surfaces. Furthermore, naturally
occurring polymeric materials such as cellulosics, starch, protein, and vegetable oil–based
coatings are often subject to microbiological deterioration. Finally, some synthetics that
contain linkages “recognized” by enzymes within the microorganism (such as amide and
ester linkages) may also be susceptible to attack.
One major antimicrobial grouping is the organotin-containing compounds. These
monomeric organotin-containing compounds are now outlawed because of the high
Copyright © 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
“leaching” rates of these materials affecting surrounding areas. Even so, polymeric versions
are acceptable and can be considered nonleaching or slowly leaching.
Organic fungistatic and bacteriostatic additives are currently employed, but in all
cases formation of resistant strains and the toxicity of the bioactive additive must be
considered.
PVC is also subject to pink staining as a result of the diffusion of byproducts of
attack by microorganisms. Quaternary ammonium carboxylates and tributyltin compounds
are effective preservatives against pink staining. Other effective preservatives or biocides
are esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, N-(trichloromethylthio)-4-phthalimide, bis(tri-n-butyltin),
and bis(8-quinolinato) copper.