Additives and Chemicals
For more than twenty-two years, Amcor has been globally recognized as the leading plastics authority.
Amcor provides its customers with the highest level of plastic expertise that comes with more than one hundred years of combined hands-on application and manufacturing experience. Amcor’s Technical Staff is vastly knowledgeable with plastic materials, plastic manufacturing, and plastic failure analysis. This allows us to not only improve properties and performance, but also have the experience to help improve many processes.
Amcor is well known for its quality compounds and masterbatches. Our state-of-the-art blending and compounding processes ensure consistent products each and every time.
Compound and Masterbatch Products
Amcor has been using advanced technology to continuously provide our customers with the best possible solutions for their manufacturing needs. We work closely with the production and engineering teams to make sure that our products solve the product and processing issues that our customers are faced with every day. We meet the demands of the market and provide the most effective and efficient products, below are some examples highlighting two separate instances.
Antiblock and Fillers
Calcium Carbonate
Diatomaceous Earth
Fiberglass
Talc
Film Packages
Antiblock
Antistatic
Slip
UVI
Color
Antistat
Amine Free
High Heat
Foaming Agents
Endothermic
Exothermic
Flame Retardants
Brominated
Chlorinated
Non-halogenated
Process Aids
Processing Aids
Purge
Specialty Products & Chemicals
With our wide range of capabilities, we have positioned ourselves to provide the most comprehensive list of opportunities to provide our customers with a single source.
Specialty Products
Sound Absorption
Flow Enhancers
Impact Modifiers
Cross-linking Agents
Tackifers
Specialty Chemicals
Antimony Trioxide
Colored Minerals
Erucamide
Oleamide
Titanium Dioxide – Anatase and Rutile
Calcium Stearate
Amslip SCR™
Anti-Scratch Additives
Amcor offers a selection of anti-scratch additives under the name Amslip SCR™. The specific grade of Amslip SCR™ depends on type of resin, process, application, color, etc. Amslip SCR™ will have no negative influence on surface migration additives like UV inhibitors, etc.
Although you cannot “judge a book by its cover”, when it comes to plastics, appearance is often the key characteristic of perceived quality. Many plastics are susceptible to scratches which create an impression of lower quality. The addition of Amslip SCR™ (anti- scratch additive) will reduce the width of the scratch, minimize scratch whiteness and improve the smoothness; thereby greatly reducing the visibility of the scratch and maintain the perceived quality.
Scratch Width
In order to mimic scratches and quantify them, a test similar to the five finger test that is often required for the automotive industry was performed. The test made it possible to quantify a scratch based on the width and onset. When the scratch load causes noticeable damage, the scratch consists of area damaged by the scratch tip and material mounded up on the edges. Test results appear in the graph and show that the onset of scratches occurs at a load force of 2N and that when Amslip SCR™ is added at 1% the onset does not occur until a force of 6N. Furthermore, at force loadings greater than 6N the width of the scratch was greatly reduced.
Scratch Whitness
L on the L*a*b* color scale is a measurement of lightness. Where 100 equals white and 0 equals black. By measuring the L value of the scratch and subtracting the L value of the background you are able to determine the dL (delta L), the difference in whiteness of scratches compared to background. Low dL values indicate little to no difference in the lightness between the scratch and background so the scratch has low visibility. The graph shows results for Black PP and Black PP with 1% Amslip SCR™. The Black PP samples had a measurable difference of 20 dL at the lowest loads and 60 dL at the highest load. While the Black PP with 1% Amslip SCR™ showed no measurable difference in low to medium loads and only a dL of 10 at the highest loads.
Amstar-41™
Elastomeric Modifier Benefits
Greater yield allows users to create more while maximizing machine and operator time. Down gauged benefits are generally one for one with material reduction. Reduced material thickness means less material to heat or cool resulting in reduced cycle times and less waste in the environment. When it comes to advances in materials, product performance, process efficiencies and reduction in waste, Amcor, Inc. has been successful in delivering more performance and profit with less material and waste.
In the expanding industry of plastic manufacturing, the evolution of industry specific additives creates numerous opportunities for increasing profits, boosting green credentials and improving efficiency, a “win-win” scenario for everyone.
One of these concepts is down gauging, creating a thinner product with all the salient physical properties of the original thickness. While the idea is simple, the actual process can be challenging. Amcor draws on its extensive experience and cutting edge technologies to provide the customer with specific solutions for down gauging. By combining these factors, our customers can manufacture products that offer the performance of conventional products but from material that is 10% to 25% lighter.
Financial Case Study
The customer was evaluating the use of filler for cost reduction. Amcor, Inc. suggested down gauging with Amstar-41 as an alternative that would maintain performance, but still reduce cost. Parts produced with the filler did lower cost by $100,000.00 per year. However, part weight increased, efficiency declined and the rate of failure on tear strength proved unacceptable.
The introduction of Amstar-41 at a low loading of 4-6% allowed for a 10% reduction in sheet thickness. Parts produced were 10% lighter with a reduction in yield loss, improved efficiency and the tear strength increased.
The trial with Amstar-41 resulted in a part that exceeded current performance and achieved an annual reduction in material costs of $300,000, yield loss improvement of $86,000 and an efficiency gain of $12,000. The net savings and yields for this customer totaled $398,000 annually.