Antiblock Mineral Additives for the Plastic Film Industry

Proven Products
Celite functional additives have been used for antiblocking in polyethylene lm for over 50 years. Celite antiblock additives reduce the tendency of thermoplastic lm to adhere when compounded as plastic packaging or tightly wound rolls. Addition rates as low as 2,000 ppm provide signicant reductions in block/re-block forces. This efciency results from the unique, irregular particle shapes of the diatoms. Films containing Celite antiblock additives exhibit exceptional clarity. A range of products with different particle sizes and shapes is available to optimize efciency and cost effectiveness. The original grade of Celite antiblock was Super Floss. Super Floss is still the preferred grade and is recommended for most lm applications. Super Fine Super Floss is the grade to consider if your application requires a ne or narrower particle size distribution. Micro Ken 801, White Mist PF, Super Floss MX, Super Floss A and Super Floss E complete the product line.

Features and Benets

Celite diatomaceous earth antiblock additives exhibit minimal interactions with other additives in most LDPE and LLDPE resin systems. This assures that the optimal amount of processing aids and other organic additives are used. Celite additives offer superior economic performance in higher alpha olen LLDPE systems in which synthetic silica might otherwise be specied. One study, presented by a leading resin producer at ANTEC 99 , showed the statistical equivalence of Super Floss to synthetic silica in a 1-octene LLDPE system. A primary objective of our R&D efforts is a continuing product development program, directed at enhancing product performance and assuring multi-plant sources to a growing worldwide market. The latest result of this intense effort is the successful introduction of Super Floss MX in North America, and further signicant breakthroughs in antiblock technology are on the horizon.

Typical Scanning Electron Micrographs

Super Floss

Super FlossMX

Micro-Ken 801

Antiblock Basics and Applications

The theory of antiblocking is that varied particle shapes of diatomite particles protrudes from, or are at the surface of, the polyethylene lm. The irregular shaped particles of Celite diatomite silica are extremely efcient for this application in all types of polyolen lms including LLDPE, metallocene PE and polypropylene. Depending on the type of resin used to make the lm and the end use application, the amount of Celite antiblock required usually ranges from 0.2% to 0.5% by weight of the resin. Due to the critical nature of incorporating a solid into a solid plastic lm, Celite products meet exacting quality control standards. This allows the end user to be assured of a consistent quality antiblock additive batch after batch. In addition to traditional applications in lm, Celite additives are used in a wide variety of plastic, plastomer and compounded polymer systems: Antiblocking, prevention of plate out and gloss control in PVC sheets Silica nucleation site for polyurethane Reinforcement and dimensional stability in siloxane (RTV) and extension of the pyrogenic silica Mold release and gloss/sheen control of various other resin systems

Celite Polyethylene Film Additives The Industry Standard

High Gloss

Low Haze

Clarity

Antiblocking

Efcient and Versatile

Minimum Loading

The physical and chemical properties of Celite Corporation products represent typical, average values obtained in accordance with accepted test methods and are subject to normal manufacturing variations. They are supplied as a technical service and are subject to change without notice. Contact the nearest Celite Corporation sales office to ensure current information.

Celite Corporation

A World Minerals Company

P.O. Box 519 Lompoc, CA 93438-0519 U.S.A. All diatomite product trademarks referenced herein are registered trademarks of Celite Corporation. 2007 World Minerals Inc. All Rights Reserved
FF-603-07

Tel: 800-893-4445 Fax: 805-735-7981 Web: www.worldminerals.com E-Mail: Info@worldminerals.com

Printed in U.S.A.

Typical Physical and Chemical Properties

All data are typical, or estimated, and are not to be used as specications.

Super Floss E

12.2

92

<2

4.8

1.48

<0.5

2.3

Super Floss E

91.0

0.6

0.9

0.2

7.1

0.2

Total Product Support

Celite Corporation is the largest producer of diatomite products in the world. Our products offer consistently high quality, worldwide sources of supply, superior technical support, and unsurpassed customer service. In addition, our extensive Research and Development Department is continually seeking to develop new products to assist manufacturers in achieving the maximum functionality and quality in their products. Celite products are available on a direct basis and through our international network of authorized distributors. To meet the specic needs of our customers, antiblock and additive products are packaged in 44-lb. polyethylene, 50-lb. paper and FIBC bags. For more information on our mineral additive products, or to locate a distributor near you, please contact us at www.worldminerals.com.

2010 World Minerals Inc., a member of Imerys

Particle Size Distribution For Antiblock Additives

The charts below show the cumulative and differential particle size distributions of each Celite antiblock additive grade. These particle size distributions represent typical, average values obtained from a laser particle size analyzer using standard test methods.

Cumulative Size Distribution

100 90 80

Grade Super Fine Super Floss Super Floss E Super Floss White Mist PF Micro Ken 801 Super Floss MX

Volume % Undersize

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 100 10

Particle Size (microns), Log Scale

Differential Size Distribution

8.0 7.0

Grade Super Fine Super Floss Super Floss E Super Floss White Mist PF Micro Ken 801 Super Floss MX

Differential Volume %

6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 100

10

Particle Size (microns), Log Scale

Publication date: Aug2010