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The influence of nucleating agents on the extrusion and thermoforming of polypropylene
Author(s) -
Macauley N. J.,
HarkinJones E. M. A.,
Murphy W. R.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.10214
Subject(s) - thermoforming , extrusion , materials science , polypropylene , composite material , nucleation , raw material , thermoplastic , chemistry , organic chemistry
A large proportion of thin‐gauge containers for the food packaging sector is produced via the thermoforming of extruded thermoplastic sheet (1–4). The production of high quality thermoformed parts is critically dependent on the standard of extruded sheet feedstock used. One method of optimizing the properties of extruded sheet and those of the final thermoformed article is through the incorporation of nucleating agents (5–10). This paper discusses the influence of nucleating agents on the extrusion and thermoforming characteristics of polypropylene. The potential of white titanium dioxide pigment particles as a viable nucleation source for polypropylene is addressed. Evidence is also presented that suggests that nucleating agents may play an important role in controlling the extent of physical change taking place in extruded sheet as a direct result of post‐production aging.