Kynar® Polymer Processing and Recycling Aids for Polyolefins and other Polymers
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Consult with your Arkema technical representative or download a copy of the Kynar® PPA Quick Reference Guide to determine the grade of Kynar® PPA suitible for your application. Grades are available as either pellet or powder depending on the preference of the masterbatch producer.
Download the Kynar® PVDF PPA Quick Reference Guide
Download the Kynar® PPA Brochure
Download the Kynar Flex® PPA Processing Guide
Watch our PPRA webinar
Download our white paper Kynar® PVDF recycling aids
This paper measures the effect that a Kynar® PVDF polymer processing and recycling aid (PPRA) has in improving the film processing of recycled polyethylene resins. Both melt fracture elimination and pressure reduction were observed when a Kynar® PPRA was added to a recycled polyethylene film process. This data suggests that film converters looking to increase recycled polyethylene output, or the per cent of recycled polyethylene content in their process, can consider adding a Kynar® PPRA to increase their processing efficiency.
Download the white paper
Key Benefit: Elimination of Melt Fracture
Kynar® PPA PVDF additives are designed to aid in the extrusion and recycling processes of thermoplastic resins by eliminating surface defects and increasing output.
Kynar® PPA additives are used in such processes as blown film, cast film, blow molding, injection molding, wire and cable jacketing, pipe and tube extrusion, and extruded fiber processing. Significant benefits are demonstrated when used at very low levels of 100 – 1,500 ppm. Kynar® PPA additives provide many benefits to a wide range of resins, particularly, but not exclusively LLDPE, mLLDPE, LDPE, HDPE, and PP. Kynar® PPA additives have Kosher, Halal, and FDA food contact approval for polyolefins under conditions of use A-H.
While Kynar® PPA additives can improve the processing of your current products, it can also allow you to process tougher low melt-strength polymers at increased rates and with a quality that would not be possible without a processing aid.
Kynar® PPA, when used as an additive in polyethylene flexible film processing, improve the surface finish of the film, and they can also increase film production output, leading to more profitability for the film converter. There is increasing demand for sustainable film solutions, and one approach to meet this demand is by recycling more post-consumer polyethylene film. When processing recycled polyethylene resin into recycled film, the film output is often limited by the converter’s production capacity, and investing in additional equipment can be a significant capital expense. Additionally, recycled polyethylene can be more prone to degrade during processing, which can also impact processing efficiency. The addition of a Kynar® PPA could increase recycled film output and help drive demand for recycled polyethylene resin, without the need for significant equipment investments.
Final Product Benefits
- Elimination of melt-fracture (sharkskin)
- Improvement of film transparency
- Improvement of smoothness and surface aspect
- Improvement of product appearance
- Improvement of mechanical properties
- Improved gauge control
- Increased output of recycled polyolefins
- Reduction of gels
Processing Benefits
- Maintenance time reduction
- Reduction of die build-up
- Consistency of production
- Smoother extrusion conditions
- Lower energy consumption
- Reduction of cycle times and quicker transitions
- Reduced die pressure
- Increased output
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Today neither poor appearance... |
...nor reduced output is acceptable... |
...but both problems can be easily solved! |
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Select from several grades of Kynar® PPA to match process requirements
Best PPA additive selection is based on:
- Temperature of the extrusion or molding process and the resulting polymer melt temperature
- Melt index of the polyolefin that requires the use of a PPA
- Shear rate of the process
- Use of other additives and fillers in the polyolefin extrusion causing a need for a synergist containing product
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Pure Fluoropolymer |
Contains Synergist |
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Kynar Superflex® 2500-20 pellets (Datasheet US/SI) Kynar Superflex® 2501-20 powder (Datasheet US/SI) |
Kynar Flex® 2200 pellets (Datasheet US/SI) Kynar Flex® 2201 powder (Datasheet US/SI) |
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Kynar Flex® 2800-00 pellets (Datasheet US/SI) Kynar Flex® 2801-00 powder (Datasheet US/SI) |
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Kynar Flex® 2800-20 pellets (Datasheet US/SI) Kynar Flex® 2821-20 powder (Datasheet US/SI) |
Kynar Flex® 5330 pellets (Datasheet US/SI) Kynar Flex® 5331 Powder (Datasheet US/SI) |
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Download a Copy of the Kynar® PPA Quick Reference Guide
Consult with your Arkema technical representative to choose from the above grades of Kynar® PPA (Grades are available as either pellet or powder depending on the preference of the masterbatch producer.)
Visit our materials database to see technical data sheets and compare grades
How to use Kynar® PPA Additives
The two main requirements to get the best out of Kynar® PPA additives are:
- a good dispersion
- a uniform dosing at the typical low concentration level needed with Kynar® PPA additive
For a converter, this is achieved by using:
- either a resin that already contains Kynar® PPA additives; (many resin producers propose polyolefin grades which contain Kynar® PPA additives with appropriate and uniform dosage and good dispersion)
- or a masterbatch:
- containing typically from 1% to 5% of Kynar® PPA additive
- which can be diluted into their standard resin;
(many masterbatch manufacturers propose PPA masterbatches based on Kynar® PPA additives)
Conditions of Use
Kynar® PPA additives are mainly used at 100 - 1,500 ppm levels to overcome the processing problems typically encountered with polyolefins. For such low level of content, it is highly recommended to use Kynar® PPA additives in the form of a masterbatch for an accurate and uniform dosing. Most Kynar® PPA additives are safe for applications involving contact with food articles and meet Kosher, Halal, USA FDA and European food contact regulations - see your Arkema representative for details.
Recommendations for Masterbatch Preparation
Masterbatches typically have a Kynar® PPA additive content between 1 to 5%. It is possible to use higher levels as long as good dispersion is confirmed. The table below can be used to determine the percentage of masterbatch to be included in the final mixture to obtain the required level (in ppm) of Kynar® PPA additive.
| Kynar® resin ppm targeted in final mixture | Use of masterbatch at... | ||||
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| 1% | 2% | 3% | 4% | 5% | |
| 200 | Add 2% | Add 1% | Add 0.67% | Add 0.5% | Add 0.4% |
| 400 | Add 4% | Add 2% | Add 1.33% | Add 1% | Add 0.8% |
| 600 | Add 6% | Add 3% | Add 2% | Add 1.5% | Add 1.2% |
| 800 | Add 8% | Add 4% | Add 2.67% | Add 2% | Add 1.6% |
| 1000 | Add 10% | Add 5% | Add 3.33% | Add 2.5% | Add 2% |
Technical and sales support for Kynar® PPA
From process improvements to product visuals, Arkema has dedicated equipment and field personnel for technical assistance to achieve complete solutions to challenging issues.
Listed are some articles published on polymer processing aids:
- Seiler, D; Henry, J; Lowrie, R; “Effects of Molecular Weight of Thermoplastic Fluorinated PPA on Various Melt Index LLDPE Polymers”, Proceedings – SPE, International Polyolefins Conference, Houston, TX, February 23, 2020.
- Seiler, D.A.; Beaume, F.; Devisme, F.; Pomante, J. ;"Fluorinated Polymer Processing Aids for Polyethylene", Handbook of Industrial Polyethyene and Technology » , pp. 889-908, 2018 Scrivener Publishing, LLC.
- David A Seiler, Jason Pomante, Robert Lowrie, "Fluorinated Polymer Processing Aids: How a laboratory cleanout mistake created a family of polymers that is still growing even after 50 years", wwww.plastictrends.com, February 2018.
- V. Vora, J. Gingras, “Increasing Throughput, Reducing downtime”, Modern Plastics & Polymers, pp. 190-192 (January 2012).
- V. Vora, F. Beaume, “For Best-in-Class Performance”, Modern Plastics & Polymers, pp.71-72 (September 2012).
- V. Firdous, PP. Tong. “Sharkskin Melt Fracture: Effect on LLDPE Film, Properties”, Journal of Plastic Film & Sheeting, Vol 8 – October 1992 pp 333 – 340.
- J. Gingras, F. Beaume, P. Elmerch, J. Laffargue, “Polyvinylidene Fluoride Based Polymer Processing Aids, Their Evaluation and Conditioning Procedures,” Tappi Proceedings, Indianapolis, IN; September 2004.