Polymer Compounds
Polymer compounds are one of the widely used and practical materials in the chemical industry, employed to enhance the stability and strength of plastic materials. These products are essentially composed of a polymer mixed with a type of powder to reinforce the polymer structures.
The reason for using these materials during the production of polymer-based products is that many manufacturers face issues such as physical weakness, reduction in properties, undesirable color, and prolonged production processes. Therefore, by adding compounds such as polymer compounds and masterbatches, the properties of the polymer and the desired production processes can be enhanced.
Another Definition of Polymer Compounds In a more precise definition, a polymer compound is a mixture of one or more polymers and various additives to enhance physical, mechanical, thermal, and other properties for suitable shaping through processes such as plastic injection molding, extrusion, etc. Compounds are usually available in the market in granular form, and the production units of compounds are known as compounders. Cost and time savings are significant aspects where the use of compounds can provide considerable reductions.
Production Method of Polymer Compounds In general, numerous processes must be undertaken to produce compounds. The most critical process for producing these materials is the melting stage, which is carried out in a device called an extruder. At the beginning of the process, additives and base polymers are combined and fed into the machine, then extruded.
After this stage, the resulting material must be cooled, so the molten material exiting the extruder enters a cooling system and solidifies. The cooled compounds, typically in solid form, are then cut into various sizes, and the desired compound is obtained.
Compounds must be stored and packaged under specific temperature conditions because changes in their properties and quality can occur. If quality deterioration happens, the production process must be repeated from the beginning, which is a costly and time-consuming cycle. Thus, it is crucial to prevent such issues.
