Impact modifier enhances polyolefin strength upto 33%

New color concentrates with an innovative impact-enhancing modifier enable processors of polyolefin sheet to increase product toughness or reduce gauge without sacrificing strength, have been introduced by Teknor Color Company. The new TekTuff™ color-impact concentrates are used at the same loading or let-down ratio as existing Teknor Color concentrates and are thus essentially drop-in replacements; re-matching is not required. Dart drop impact tests on extruded polyolefin sheet conducted by the company showed a 33% increase in strength over that produced with standard concentrates. This makes down-gauging to save on material cost and reduce weight a possibility and may open new possibilities for metal-replacement, according to John Wood, technical manager. “Plastic sheet must often be thicker than metal in order to provide similar impact properties, and this has been a limiting factor in applications where space is a concern,” said Mr. Wood. “The strength enhancement provided by TekTuff concentrates can help plastics processors achieve the economies and design freedom of metal-replacement while still meeting the practical requirements of end use. A metal box, for example, could be replaced by one made with thermoformed PP Sheet.” There is a broad range of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene sheet products that could benefit from such impact-modified TekTuff color concentrates. They include extruded and thermoformed products such as containers and lids, credit cards, toilet seat covers, truck bed liners, and industrial process tanks, along with many other products. TekTuff impact-modifying color concentrates from Teknor Color Company are also available for injection molded applications as well as blow molded applications.