When working with compounds containing fine ingredients, such as fillers or pigments, it is important to fully disperse the ingredients within the polymer matrix. Good dispersion becomes more difficult as the filler loading level is increased and/or as the surface area of the mineral filler increases; surface area increases rapidly as particle size decreases. In the case of PVC, it is necessary that good fusion is achieved. If these requirements are not met, the finished compound’s physical properties will be diminished.
The compounding extruder requires good venting and consistent feed rate. The lubricant and stabilizer levels in the formulation need to be appropriate for the particular compounding equipment used. Equally important is proper maintenance to ensure that all heating zones and temperature controllers are functioning properly.
This page is just one of a full section on the compounding of polyvinyl chloride. Click on the topics to continue reading:
- Introduction to PVC Compounding
- Moisture – deals with this problem in all parts of the compounding operation
- Flow and Handling – provides some information to help solve problems in this area
- Problem Solving – a general discussion about methods of investigating problems
- Running a Trial – covers procedures that will make a trial more productive
Learn more:
- SMI minerals for plastics
- SMI minerals for rigid PVC
- SMI minerals for PVC window and door profiles
- SMI minerals for PVC fence and decking
- SMI minerals for PVC siding
- SMI minerals for calendared and thermoformed rigid PVC
- SMI minerals for injected-molded PVC
- SMI minerals in automotive products. See the parts of your car that are made with Specialty Minerals products.
- SMI minerals in housing. See the places Specialty Minerals products are used around your house.
- “Fillers in PVC – A Review of the Basics” - download brochure
- Download brochure on Specialty Minerals Plastics Applications Laboratory
- About Specialty Minerals Inc.
- Quality and ISO at Specialty Minerals
