Nucleating agents for high-density polyethylene-A review

Polymer Engineering & ScienceVolume 56, Issue 5 p. 541-554 Article Nucleating agents for high-density polyethylene—A review Karl M. Seven, Corresponding Author Karl M. Seven The Dow Chemical Company, Collegeville, PennsylvaniaCorrespondence to: K.M. Seven; e-mail: kseven@dow.comSearch for more papers by this authorJeffrey M. Cogen, Jeffrey M. Cogen The Dow Chemical Company, Collegeville, PennsylvaniaSearch for more papers by this authorJames F. Gilchrist, James F. Gilchrist Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaSearch for more papers by this author Karl M. Seven, Corresponding Author Karl M. Seven The Dow Chemical Company, Collegeville, PennsylvaniaCorrespondence to: K.M. Seven; e-mail: kseven@dow.comSearch for more papers by this authorJeffrey M. Cogen, Jeffrey M. Cogen The Dow Chemical Company, Collegeville, PennsylvaniaSearch for more papers by this authorJames F. Gilchrist, James F. Gilchrist Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 09 February 2016 https://doi.org/10.1002/pen.24278Citations: 52Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract A review of nucleating agent (NA) types and their effect on crystallization in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is presented. The focus is on methods to improve the physical properties of HDPE due to its widespread use in commercial applications and high volume use in typical industrial processes including extrusion, injection molding, and blow molding. The crystallization process in HDPE significantly affects its final optical, mechanical, and thermal properties. The addition of NAs affects the physical properties of HDPE by controlling the crystallization from the melt state. Specific NAs improve properties such as clarity, cycle time, and modulus. NAs are more widely developed for polypropylene (PP) than HDPE as its slower crystallization rate allows greater control in achieving property improvements. While certain NAs are effective in improving property characteristics in HDPE, greater control over the crystallization process would achieve further improvements in specific properties. Research has progressed in identifying effective NAs for HDPE, though the magnitude of the effects remains lower than those generally observed in PP. Inorganic and organic NAs are reviewed with an emphasis on the mechanisms by which they function. Fundamentals of polymer crystallization and modeling kinetics during both isothermal and nonisothermal studies provide the necessary framework for characterizing the effects of a NA in HDPE. Finally, the interactions between HDPE, NA, and industrial processing conditions as related to practical applications are discussed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:541–554, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers Citing Literature Volume56, Issue5May 2016Pages 541-554 RelatedInformation