News

Plastic pipe is a common piping material that has been widely used in many fields due to its plasticity, low cost, lightweight, and corrosion resistance. The following are several common plastic pipe materials and their application areas and roles:

PVC pipe: polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe is one of the most widely used pipe materials and can be used for water, gas, sewage, industrial transmission, etc. PVC pipe has corrosion resistance, pressure resistance, good sealing, low price, and so on.

PE pipe: polyethylene (PE) pipe is also a common pipe material, mainly used in water, gas, sewage, etc. PE pipe has impact resistance, corrosion resistance, good flexibility, and so on.

PP-R pipe: polypropylene random copolymer (PP-R) pipe can be used for indoor water supply systems, floor heating, refrigeration, etc. PP-R pipe has a high-temperature resistance, acid, and alkali resistance, is not easy to scale, and so on.

ABS pipe: ABS pipe is an impact-resistant, corrosion-resistant piping material, mainly used in sewage treatment, kitchen sewage, and other fields.

PC pipe: polycarbonate (PC) pipe has high strength, high transparency, and other characteristics, and can be used in highways, tunnels, subways, and other construction areas.

PA pipe: polyamide (PA) pipe is mainly used in the field of air, oil, water, and other fluid transport.PA pipe is corrosion-resistant, heat-resistant, pressure-resistant, and other characteristics.

Different plastic pipe materials are suitable for different fields. In general, plastic pipes have the advantages of being lightweight, low cost, corrosion resistant, convenient for construction, etc., and gradually replace the traditional metal pipes, and play an increasingly important role in modern construction.

However, some common difficulties may be encountered during the production and processing of plastic pipes, including:

Poor melt fluidity: some plastic raw materials in the processing process, due to molecular chain structure and other factors, may lead to poor melt fluidity, resulting in uneven filling in the extrusion or injection molding process, unsatisfactory surface quality, and other problems.

Poor dimensional stability: some of the plastic raw materials in the processing and cooling process shrinkage, easily leading to poor dimensional stability of the finished product, or even deformation and other problems.

Poor surface quality: In the process of extrusion or injection molding, due to the irrational design of molds, improper control of melt temperature, etc., it may lead to defects such as unevenness, bubbles, traces, etc. on the surface of the finished products.

Poor heat resistance: some plastic raw materials tend to soften and deform at high temperatures, which may be a problem for pipe applications that need to withstand high-temperature environments.

Insufficient tensile strength: some plastic raw materials do not have high strength themselves, making it difficult to meet the requirements for tensile strength in some engineering applications.

These difficulties can usually be solved by improving raw material formulations, optimizing processing techniques, and improving mold design. At the same time, it is also possible to add special reinforcing agents, fillers, lubricants, and other auxiliary components to improve the processing performance of plastic pipes and the quality of the finished product. For many years, PPA (Polymer Processing Additive) fluoropolymer processing aids have been chosen by most pipe manufacturers as lubricants.

PPA (Polymer Processing Additive) fluoropolymer processing additives in pipe manufacturing are mainly used to improve processing performance, improve the quality of finished products, and reduce production costs. Usually exists in the form of lubricants, and can effectively reduce frictional resistance, and improve the melt fluidity and filling of plastic, thus improving the productivity and product quality in the extrusion or injection molding process.

Globally, PFAS is also widely used in many industrial and consumer applications, but its potential risks to the environment and human health have caused widespread concern. With the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) making the draft PFAS restrictions public in 2023, many manufacturers are beginning to look for alternatives to PPA fluoropolymer processing aids.

Responding to market needs with innovative solutions——SILIKE Launches PFAS-Free Polymer Processing Aid (PPA)

In response to the trend of the times, SILIKE’s R&D team has invested a great deal of effort in developing PFAS-free polymer processing aids (PPAs) using the latest technological means and innovative thinking, making a positive contribution to environmental protection and sustainable development.

SILIKE Fluorine-Free PPA avoids the environmental and health risks associated with traditional PFAS compounds while ensuring the processing performance and quality of the material. SILIKE Fluorine-Free PPA not only complies with the draft PFAS restrictions published by ECHA but also provides a safe and reliable alternative to traditional PFAS compounds.

SILIKE Fluorine-Free PPA is a PFAS-free polymer processing aid (PPA) from SILIKE. The additive is an organically modified polysiloxane product that takes advantage of the excellent initial lubrication effect of polysiloxanes and the polarity of the modified groups to migrate to and act on the processing equipment during processing.

SILIKE Fluorine-Free PPA can be a perfect substitute for fluorine-based PPA processing aids. Adding a small amount of SILIKE Fluorine-Free PPA SILIMER 5090, SILIMER 5091 can effectively improve the resin fluidity, processability, lubrication, and surface properties of plastic extrusion, eliminate melt breakage, improve wear resistance, reduce the coefficient of friction, and improve the yield and product quality while being environmentally friendly and safe.

The role of SILIKE Fluorine-Free PPA SILIMER 5090 in the manufacture of plastic pipes:

Reduction of inner and outer diameter differences: In the extrusion process of pipes, the consistency of inner and outer diameters is very important. The addition of SILIKE Fluorine-Free PPA SILIMER 5090 reduces the friction between the melt and the die, reduces the inner and outer diameter differences, and ensures the dimensional stability of the pipe.

Improved surface finish: SILIKE Fluorine-Free PPA SILIMER 5090 effectively improves the surface finish of the pipe, and reduces internal stresses and melt residues, resulting in a smoother pipe surface with fewer burrs and blemishes.

Improved lubricity: SILIKE Fluorine-Free PPA SILIMER 5090 reduces the melt viscosity of plastics and improves process lubricity, making them easier to flow and fill molds, thus increasing productivity in extrusion or injection molding processes.

Elimination of melt breakage: The addition of SILIKE Fluorine-Free PPA SILIMER 5090 reduces the coefficient of friction, reduces torque, improves internal and external lubrication, effectively eliminates melt breakage, and extends the service life of the pipe.

Improved wear resistance: SILIKE Fluorine-Free PPA SILIMER 5090 improves the abrasion resistance of the pipe, making it more suitable for applications requiring high abrasion resistance.

Reduced energy consumption: Thanks to its ability to reduce melt viscosity and frictional resistance, SILIKE Fluorine-Free PPA reduces energy consumption during extrusion or injection molding, thus lowering production costs.

SILIKE Fluorine-Free PPA has a wide range of applications, not only for tubes but also for wires and cables, films, masterbatches, petrochemicals, metallocene polypropylene(mPP), metallocene polyethylene(mPE), and more. However, specific applications need to be adjusted and optimized according to different materials and production requirements. If you have any questions about any of the above applications, SILIKE is very happy to welcome your inquiry, and we are eager to explore more application areas of PFAS-free polymer processing aids (PPA)with you.