Market trends
The development trends of modified plastics in China
작성자 : Aeyoung Park
2018-03-16 |
조회 : 1772
The development trends of modified plastics in China
Plastics filler modification is the fastest-growing new sector in the plastics industry. In China, sectors such as automobile, household appliances, communications and high-end tools exhibit a growing demand for modified plastics.
With higher consumer requirements, more market demands, fast growth in national economy as well as the emerging of new materials and technologies, plastic modification shows a full range of advantages from functionality, lightweight to environmental friendliness, thus leading to a great demand for modified plastics.
Plastics filler modification is the fastest-growing new sector in the plastics industry. With the rapid development of the plastics industry, filling masterbatch is no longer just used as filling material.
Great demand from applications
1. To reduce car weight while meeting application requirements, just use single resin cannot meet application requirements. Plastic modification has become an indispensable technology. Hollow glass beads from Sinosteel Maanshan New Material feature 0.28g/cm3~0.6g/cm3in density. Adding these to PA, PP, PC and ABS can substantially reduce the density while improving physical property.
2. For various types of household appliances today, many plastic components are substituting metal components. Annual demand for various types of plastics and modified plastics is exhibiting two-digit growth and growing year by year. CECEP Jiangxi New Material developed fine quartz powder successfully. When used in plastics and rubber, they can reduce abrasion and wear by 10% and improve impact density, insulating property and chemical stability.
3. Application of modified plastics in the communications sector exhibits great advantages. Casing and substrate for laptop computers and mobile phone components mostly use modified plastics. Li Zhigang, senior engineer of Ningbo Bolilong Composite Material Technology developed multiple carbon fiber/resin materials for use in such sectors as notebook, automobile and intelligent machines, is known as the “hidden champion”.
4. Electric tools are requiring higher electric insulation, fire retardancy and more lightweight. Use of modifiers from Nanjing Jinlaiwang Plastic Technology can reduce the oil absorption of inorganic powder by more than 10% and improve the glossiness, tenacity and impact strength of plastic products.
5. Modified plastics are finding extensive applications in railway, military, medical and aerospace sectors. Artificial organs and artificial bone joints as well as thermal stable, aging resistant and high-strength functional modified plastics are also playing an active role in propelling the rapid development of high technology. PP, PA, ABS, PS, talc, wollastonite, mica and multiple types of composite modified materials such as silicone powder and carbon fiber produced from Kingfa are applicable to automotive, medical and military sectors.
6. Bio-based plastics leverage modification, filling and foaming techniques to improve material performance, reduce production cost and expand applications. Zhu Jin, research fellow of CAS (Chinese Academy of Sciences) Ningbo Material Research Institute, has completed extensive research of polylactide (PLA) modification and application.
Development status of modified plastics
Filling modification
Heavy calcium carbonate filler masterbatch is a filler modifier extensively used in the plastics industry. Relevant manufacturers are located all around the country, exceeding 5 million tons in annual output. Tianjin Yuquan Industrial & Trading Ltd. produces granular masterbatches using environment-friendly production techniques such as blending, extruding and pelletizing.The products are mainly for use in injection molded and calender olefin plastic products, which has become an important approach to reduce production cost, improve product performance and expand applications. PLA/CaCO3packaging films from Fujian Dongnan New Material Co., Ltd. include over 50% of calcium powder, thus reducing raw material cost and promoting natural degradation of discarded products.
Light calcium carbonate is extensively used in many products such as PVC pipes, profiles and panels. When used in PVC products, functional modifiers from Dongguan Aoda Chemical Ltd. can improve impact strength by 60% and elongation by 200%.
Modifying masterbatch
Modifying masterbatch is a new modifier developed on the basis of filling masterbatch. Adding inorganic materials such as fiberglass, talc, mica, wollastonite, barium sulfate and kaolin to resin, or adding synthetic resin or additives with specific functions in the processing process, these composite materials can provide functional features of different materials in specific applications.
When used in plastic parts such as automobile engine surroundings and headlamp holders, the resin/wollastonite/silicone powder modifying masterbatch from Dalian Global Technology can improve physical property and improve heat deflection temperature for plastic products by 40%~60%. When used in metal/wood flour/mineral material/plastic composite materials, the steel/plastic melt adhesive and compatilizer products from Hebei Jintian Plastic & Rubber New Material can improve the mechanical property and compatibility for different materials.
Function modification
Adding different materials such as graphene, silicone powder, tombarthite, magnesium hydrate and fine metal powder (silver, copper, zinc, etc.) to plastics can improve physical performance such as flame retardancy, aging resistance and heat resistance, and provide special functions such as electric conductivity, antibiosis, electric insulation and reinforcement. This has become an important player in the market of durable plastic products.
CGN JUNER New Material is a prestigious enterprise in China engaged in research, development and production of high-performance modified engineering plastics, mainly including modified nylon, modified polycarbonate, modified polyester, modified polyolefin, thermoplastic continuous fiber composites and special engineering plastics for use in a full range of sectors from industrial electric equipment, automobile, electronics, building material, new energy to aviation and nuclear power. Some of their products are exported to the USA and European countries.
Multiple compound modification
Multiple compound modified materials developed by Yuyao Huihe Plasticizing using carbon fiber/synthetic resin/functional agents are used as components for oil drilling, aerospace and household appliances. Multiple compound modification mainly leverages plastics “alloying” approach to arrange plastics with one or more inorganic materials, polymers and additives via blending, grafting and blocking so that individual components supplement each other in performance and shape a plastic material with multiple outstanding performances and accomplish the purpose of higher performance and diversified functions.
NUC (North University of China) School of Materials Science and Engineering is specialized in the research of high-performance functional plastics. Their nylon flame retardant composite material is modified using nylon/ inorganic material/ magnesium hydrate, sodium antimonate and zinc borate compounds to accomplish V-0 flame retardant performance, high heat resistance and excellent environmental effect.
Special modification
Special modification is to add different functional materials or additives in special plastics for specific market applications so that expensive special plastics retain their original characteristics and special functions. The nylon/liquid crystal polymer, nylon/PC compound modified materials developed and mass produced by Chongqing Keyiying New Material have been used in automotive and military sectors with satisfactory effect.
Development trend of modified plastics
Plastics modified using inorganic nanometer powder have a full range of unique performances, providing new opportunities and application potential for the development of the plastics industry. For example, modifying PA6 using 5% organic montmorillonite can improve heat deflection temperature by 1.5 folds; adding nanoclay to PET can substantially reduce gas transmission rate by 100 times lower than pure PET.
With ever-growing awareness of environmental protection and rigid environmental regulations, environmental concepts such as recyclable, environment digestible, biodegradable, nontoxic, odorless and pollution-free plastics have been integrated into the modified plastics development and manufacturing process. It has become a new focus to develop energy-saving, pollution-free, fully degradable, recyclable and environmental-friendly modified plastic products.
Source: China Plastic & Rubber Journal
