A variety of plastic films are filled with minerals to reduce cost, improve film strength and other physical properties, and increase opacity. Blown or cast polyolefins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, nylon or other polyamides, extruded or calendered flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the range of elastomeric films and sheets are examples of products often containing mineral fillers.
The most commonly used minerals for filling film are ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and talc. Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) is used in PVC and elastomeric films, which tend to be processed at lower temperatures, but generally not in polyolefin or nylon films because of bound, internal water (not to be confused with ordinary surface moisture), which can come off at higher processing temperatures causing lacing and other film defects.
The coated grades of calcium carbonate and talc are recommended for filling film because the surface treatment improves dispersion and compatibility, both of which maximize performance and economy.
Information on the specific grades for these applications can be found by clicking on one of these links:
Learn more:
- SMI products for plastics
- Specialty Minerals minerals for flexible PVC
- Specialty Minerals antiblock talcs for polyolefin films
- What is Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC)/Limestone? A mineral introductory webpage
- What is Precipitated Calcium Carbonate? A mineral introductory webpage
- What is Talc? A mineral introductory webpage
- Reinforcement Fundamentals
- Antiblock Fundamentals
- About Specialty Minerals Inc.
- Quality and ISO at Specialty Minerals
