Introduction As multi-component compounds in the polymer and plastic industry, these materials play an important role in improving product properties and developing industrial applications. Due to their ability to enhance the physical and chemical properties of raw materials, these compounds allow manufacturers to produce more durable and efficient products for various industries, including automotive, medical, packaging, and electronics. The purpose of this article from the Rangin Polymer series is to provide comprehensive information about the various applications and properties of compounds to help better understand these compounds and their importance in various industries.
What is a compound?
Raw materials alone are sometimes unable to meet the expected performance characteristics or adapt to production conditions. In these situations, special additives are used to address the deficiencies. Additives help improve properties such as durability, hardness, and abrasion resistance, resulting in a more valuable product. In many industries, it is necessary to add additional materials to polymer bases to achieve desired properties. One of the important additives to increase the quality of plastics is polymer compound; this material, which is a solid polymer additive used to increase strength and stability in plastic products, was discovered in 1890 and commercially introduced in England in 1939. These materials are made by combining a polymer with a type of reinforcing powder and can improve the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of plastics through injection and extrusion processes. In the market, these compounds are usually available in granular form, and the units producing this material are called compounders. In general, these materials consist of three main parts: a compatibilizer, a polymer base, and other additives. First, this compound must be added to the polymer base product to allow for integration. Then, sufficient compatibility between the product and the compound must be provided, otherwise, the additive will not be evenly distributed in the material. Finally, other additives are added to improve the properties or change the color of the product.
Types of Compounds
Types of these materials, such as plastic, rubber, and chemical, have different properties and applications in various industries. In the plastics industry, various compounds play an important role due to the improvement of physical and mechanical properties.
Polyethylene
One of the most widely used types of these materials is polyethylene. This material is produced in different grades based on density, and pigments are used in its composition to improve the strength and strength of polyethylene. Polyethylene is especially used in the production of blown films, pressure pipes and irrigation pipes. Adding pigments to this composition not only increases the resistance of polyethylene to sunlight, but also improves the lifespan of the product and is cost-effective due to its economy. This composition also makes the polymer material easily formed and more diverse products can be produced.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is another type of this material that is used in many industries due to its high ductility, corrosion resistance and good strength. This type is produced by improving the physical and mechanical properties of polypropylene and is used to produce household products, medical devices and automotive parts. This type is also marketed in various colors and through processes such as extrusion, which enhance the mechanical and physical properties of the base polymer.
Compound production process
But the most important step in the production process of these polymer materials is the melting stage, which is carried out using a device called an extruder. Initially, the base polymer is combined with additives and enters the extruder. Then, the melting process takes place in this device and the desired molten material is removed from the extruder. After this stage, the molten material must be cooled; for this purpose, it enters the cooling system and the cooling process begins. Finally, the cold and solid mixture is cut into various dimensions and sizes, and the final polymer compound is prepared. This process helps in producing high-quality products with desirable physical and mechanical properties, which is especially important in the plastics industry.
Compound Applications in Industry
These compounds are used to produce a variety of products due to their unique properties. Some of the most commonly used compounds are mentioned below: Polycarbonate (PC) Polyurethane (PU) Polystyrene (PS) Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Polypropylene (PP) These polymer compounds, due to their special properties, help improve the quality and increase the diversity of products in various industries.
Benefits of using compounds
The use of these materials in the plastics industry brings significant benefits to manufacturers, as it makes the production process simpler and faster. Some of the key benefits include: Uniform and higher quality raw materials and no need for continuous mixing Resistance to sunlight Economical price andCompetitive Improving product quality In the production process, additives and base polymers are first combined in a certain ratio and subjected to a melting process. Then the resulting mixture is cooled and crushed and prepared in smaller dimensions in the form of granules. This final product is used in the production of various plastic products, and the proper distribution of additives in the base polymer improves the physical properties and final quality.
Advances and innovations in compounds
Innovative advances in the production of these materials, especially in the direction of creating biodegradable and environmentally friendly compounds, have created important developments in the plastic and polymer industries. Today, with increasing concerns about plastic pollution and environmental impacts, the development of these materials in a sustainable and renewable manner has received attention. In this regard, several new and innovative cases are noteworthy as follows:
Biodegradable and environmentally friendly compounds Use of recycled materials in compounds Nanotechnology and performance enhancement Development of smart compounds Recent advances in the materials industry have provided a new path for sustainable and environmentally friendly development. From biodegradable types to the application of advanced technologies, these innovations help manufacturers produce products with higher quality and less impact on the environment.
