High-gloss (optical) plastics usually refer to plastic materials with excellent optical properties, and common materials include polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), and polystyrene (PS). These materials can have excellent transparency, scratch resistance, and optical uniformity after special treatment.
High-gloss plastics are widely used in a variety of optical fields, such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses, car lampshades, mobile phone screens, monitor panels, and so on. Due to its excellent transparency and optical properties, high-gloss plastics can effectively transmit light and provide clear visual effects, while also protecting internal devices from the external environment. Overall, high-gloss plastics have a wide range of applications in the manufacture of optical equipment, electronic product shells, construction materials, and other fields, and their role is mainly to provide good optical performance and protection, but also to beautify the appearance of the product.
Some of the challenges and dilemmas that may be encountered during the processing of high-gloss (optical) plastics include the following:
Thermal deformation: Certain high-gloss plastics are prone to thermal deformation during the heating process, resulting in distortion of the finished product’s size or shape. Therefore, it is necessary to control the temperature and heating time during processing and take appropriate cooling methods to reduce the effect of thermal deformation.
Burrs and bubbles: High gloss plastic materials are more brittle and prone to burrs and bubbles. This may affect transparency and optical properties. To solve this problem, suitable injection molding process parameters, such as lowering the injection speed and increasing the mold temperature, can be used to reduce the generation of burrs and air bubbles.
Surface scratches: High-gloss plastic surfaces are susceptible to scratches, which will affect their optical effect and appearance quality. To avoid surface scratches, it is necessary to use appropriate mold materials and mold surface treatment and pay attention to protecting and treating the surface of the finished product during processing.
Uneven Optical Properties: In some cases, the processing of high-gloss plastics may lead to uneven optical properties, such as the appearance of haze and color aberration. To solve this problem, it is necessary to strictly control the quality of raw materials, processing process parameters, and subsequent surface treatment to ensure the uniformity of optical properties.
These are some of the common challenges that may be encountered during the processing of high-gloss (optical) plastics. There may be other specific problems that need to be considered and solved for different materials and practical situations. In the face of the processing dilemma of high-gloss plastics, SILIKE has developed a modified silicone additive that maintains the finish and texture of high-gloss plastic products while also improving processing performance.
Maintains high glossy texture without affecting the finish of the product——SILIKE is the first choice of processing aids.
SILIKE SILIMER series is a product with long-chain alkyl-modified polysiloxane with active functional groups, or masterbatch products based on different thermoplastic resins. With both the properties of silicone and active functional groups, SILIKE SILIMER products play a great role in the processing of plastics and elastomers.
With outstanding performances such as high lubrication efficiency, a good solo release, small addition amount, good compatibility with plastics, no precipitation, and can also greatly reduce the friction coefficient, improve the wear resistance and scratch resistance of the product surface, SILIKE SILIMER products are widely used for PE, PP, PVC, PBT, PET, ABS, PC and thin-walled parts, etc.
However, SILIKE SILIMER 5140, is a kind of silicone wax modified by polyester. this silicone additive can have good compatibility with most resin and plastic products. and maintains good wear resistance of silicone, with good thermal stability, and performance-enhancing benefits to preserve material clarity and transparency, it is an excellent internal lubricant, release agent, and scratch-resistant and abrasion resistance agent for plastic processing.
When additional plastics are appropriate, it improves processing by better mold fill release behavior, good internal lubrication, and improved rheology of resin melt. the surface quality is improved by enhanced scratch and wear resistance, lower COF, higher surface gloss, and better glass fiber wetting or lower fiber brakes, It is widely used in all kinds of thermoplastic products.
Especially, SILIKE SILIMER 5140 provides an effective processing solution for High-gloss (optical) plastics PMMA, PS, and PC, without any adverse effect on High-gloss (optical) plastics’ color or clarity.
For SILIKE SILIMER 5140, addition levels between 0.3~1.0% are suggested. It can be used in classical melt blending processes like Single /Twin screw extruders, injection molding, and side feed. A physical blend with virgin polymer pellets is recommended. Of course, there are different formulas for different situations, so we recommend that you contact SILIKE directly, and we will provide you with the best solution for thermoplastic processing and surface quality!
Post time: Dec-06-2023
