TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Durastrength 480

PROVISIONAL

IMPACT MODIFIERS FOR

ENGINEERING RESINS

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

SUGGESTIONS FOR USE

Durastrength 480 impact modifier is based

on acrylic chemistry with a high rubber content
specifically designed to impart excellent
ambient and cold temperature impact to PC and
PC blends. Durastrength 480 is produced in
Vlissingen, Nederlands.

Durastrength 480 impact modifier is

recommended for use in PC and PC blends
where superior low temperature impact and
weatherability are required.

PRODUCT BENEFITS
High rubber content the fine tuned structure
of Durastrength 480 provide a good impact
performances at ambient and cold temperature.
Excellent Weatherability Durastrength
480 all-acrylic impact modifiers provide the
excellent weatherability for which acrylics are
known, opening the door for use in applications
that demand good color hold and retention of
mechanical properties upon exposure to the
elements.
This enabling technology is
especially designed for mold-in color
applications.

Durastrength 480 modifier is for use in

automotive applications, lawn and garden
equipment, and recreational vehicles where
weatherability and good low temperature impact
are important
TYPICAL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Physical Form
Specific Gravity
Bulk Density
Particle Size
Percent Volatiles

White Powder
1.09 (at 23C)
0.50 g/cc (31 lb/ft3)
2% on 50 mesh (<297 m)
less than 1.0% by weight

Balanced Property Control Durastrength

480 impact modifiers have minimal effect on
other polymer properties in particular allowing
to maintain a high flow.
PACKAGING
Durastrength 480 modifiers are packaged in 18 kg PE bags and 750 , 900 kg super-sacks.
PERFORMANCE TESTING POLYCARBONATE
Durastrength 480 impact modifier is used in polycarbonate & polycarbonate blends to give impact
strength at low temperatures and to improve thermal stability significantly upon aging. The following
comparative properties graph demonstrates the good impact strength and thermal stability of
Durastrength 480 versus our Durastrength 440 and Competitive material.

Durastrength 480

Impact Modifiers for Engineering Resins

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Color Hold of Durastrength 480 during Thermal Aging
The all-acrylic chemistry of Durastrength 480 resists yellowing during thermal aging.
Color deviation through heat ageing at 120C
8
7

5% D480
5%D440

db*

6
5

5% Comp

4
3
2
1
0
0

10

15

20

time (days)

Impact Performance of Durastrength 480 in Polycarbonate

Durastrength 480 impact modifier providse outstanding low temperature impact while having a
minimal effect on mechanical properties. Durastrength 480 obtains its low temperature
performance thanks to its high rubber content. It offers a perfect alternative to Durastrength 440
and to other existing others technologies.
D480

Notched Izod 180/4A 3% loading

D440
Comp

70

Impact strength kJ/m2

60
50
Fragile
break

40
30
20
10
0
23

-10

-15

-20

TC

ASTM D256 specifications for notched Izod. Formulation is 3% impact modifier in a 12 MFR polycarbonate.

Durastrength 480

Impact Modifiers for Engineering Resins

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Melt flow index of Durastrength 480 in Polycarbonate
In addition to its impact performances Durastrength 480 impact modifier has a minimum
impact on rheological properties of PC formulations, allowing to ease processing.
5% Impact modifiers, MFI 300C, 1,2 kg
30
D440
Comp

Melt Flow g/10min

25

D480

20

15

10

0
1

PROCESSING OF DURASTRENGTH 480 IN ENGINEERING POLYMERS

Drying
Durastrength 480 typically does not require drying. If your application is highly moisture sensitive, Durastrength 480 can
be dried overnight at mild temperatures (~60C/140F). Temperatures of 80C/175F or more during drying can cause the
modifiers to soften leading to blocking problems.

Extrusion
Durastrength 480 can be compounded into engineering polymers using typical extrusion equipment. Some important
considerations:
Feeding: Durastrength 480 is offered as a powder and should be fed using a separate dosing system from any pellets to ensure
consistent loading during compounding.
Mixing: To maximize the performance of any additives (including Durastrength 480), good dispersion of the additives is
required. Whether using a single-screw or twin-screw extruder, a mixing section located downstream in the polymer melt is
highly recommended.
Ventilation: High-temperature processing of polymers and additives can generate volatile substances that should be removed
from the polymer melt in a devolatilization section prior to the die.
Example of extrusion conditions used for polycarbonate to generate data in this technical data sheet:
Equipment:
Leistritz, co-rotating twin-screw, 27 mm ID, 32 L/D barrel
Temperature profile:
220C (feed), 275-280C (melting), 280-285C (mixing/devolatilization), 285C
(die)

Durastrength 480

Impact Modifiers for Engineering Resins

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Screw speed:
Feed rate:

200 rpm
20-25 lb/hr (separate loss-in-weight feeders for pellets and powder)

Injection Molding
Standard injection molding conditions for polycarbonate, polyesters, and polycarbonate blends can be used for compounds
containing Durastrength 480. An example of conditions used for polycarbonate to generate the data shown in this technical
data sheet are as follows:
Equipment:
Arburg 221K
Barrel temperatures (feed to nozzle):
265C, 275C, 287C, 300C, 300C
Backpressure:
20-50 bar
Screw speed:
60 rpm

Cycle time:

45-60 seconds

TECHNICAL SERVICE
ARKEMA offers complete technical service and
assistance to you in using Durastrength 480
acrylic modifiers. ARKEMA has played a
leading role in establishing testing procedures
and industry standards for weatherability in
exterior vinyl products. Our laboratories and
personnel are ready to assist you with any phase
of your evaluation from formulation
development to end product testing. For
additional information on Durastrength 480
please contact your ARKEMA Account
Manager.
ENVIRONMENTAL
INFORMATION

AND

SAFETY

BEFORE HANDLING THIS MATERIAL, READ AND

UNDERSTAND THE SDS (SAFETY DATA SHEET)
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND FOR SAFETY,
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION.
For Environmental, Safety & Toxicology
information, contact our US Customer Service
Department at (800)446-2800 to request a Safety
Data
Sheet
or
visit
our
Website
www.arkema.com. ARKEMA believes strongly
in Responsible Care as a Public Commitment.
TOXICOLOGY INDUSTRIAL
HYGIENE

Inhalation and skin contact are expected to be

primary routes of occupational exposure to this
material. Due to its chemical and physical
properties, this material does not require special
handling other than the good industrial hygiene
and safety practices employed with any
industrial material of this type.
Durastrength 480 will release fumes or vapors
under normal processing conditions. These
process releases may produce eye, skin and/or
respiratory tract irritation. The product should be
used with adequate ventilation to protect
employees and to prevent dust accumulation,
which may form combustible dust-air mixtures.
If adequate ventilation is not available, a NIOSH
approved respiratory protection equipment
appropriate to the material and/or its
components.
SUGGESTED FIRST AID
In case of contact, immediately flush the area
with plenty of water. Remove contaminated
clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse.
For any additional questions, please see the
Safety Data Sheet.

Durastrength 480

Impact Modifiers for Engineering Resins

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
processors with cost effective performance and
lot-to-lot consistency.
MORE TECHNICAL INFORMATION
AVAILABLE
Ask your ARKEMA Account Manager for
further information about other high quality
ARKEMA additives for use in PVC resins, PVC
alloys, and other polymer systems. ARKEMA
produces a full line of heat stabilizers, impact
modifiers, process aids and epoxidized
vegetable oils.
In addition to its complete line of plastic
additive products, ARKEMAs Technical
Service staff is available to help compounders
and processors solve formulation and processing
problems.
Thermolite Heat Stabilizers
Thermolite heat stabilizers are designed for
use in the production of rigid, semi-rigid,
foamed, and flexible PVC products.
ARKEMA has developed PVC heat stabilizers
specifically for extruded siding, profiles and
pipe, injection molding, blow molded bottles,
and calendered or extruded sheet. ARKEMA
offers a full line of stabilizers that meet FDA
and European requirements for food grade PVC
packaging, and a full line of NSF approved
stabilizers for potable water PVC pipe &
fittings.
Clearstrength & Durastrength Impact
Modifiers
Clearstrength and Durastrength impact
modifiers are designed to meet a wide variety of
processing requirements, from high efficiency
modifiers for durable, exterior automotive and
building applications to high clarity, crease
whitening resistant products for packaging
applications. ARKEMAs impact modifiers
provide engineering plastics and PVC

Plastistrength Process Aids

Plastistrength process aids, based on unique
acrylic based copolymers, can control melt flow,
reduce degradation due to thermo-mechanical
shear, reduce gate blush and improve surface
finish of engineering polymer compounds.
Plastistrength process aids also offer
producers of rigid and flexible PVC greater
product uniformity by improving compound
fusion and flow during extrusion, injection
molding and thermoforming.
Vikoflex/Ecepox Epoxy Plasticizers
The Vikoflex/Ecepox line of epoxy
plasticizers offers flexible PVC producers the
highest quality, dual-function epoxidized
vegetable oils available. ARKEMA has the
ability to produce material with exacting
specifications to meet varied customer
requirements.

Durastrength 480

Impact Modifiers for Engineering Resins

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION
CONTACT
ARKEMA Europe
Functional Additives Technical Service
Quai Louis Aulagne, B.P. 35
69191 Saint-Fons Cedex, France
Tel: 33 (0)4 72 89 91 49
Fax: 33 (0)4 72 89 93 01
ARKEMA, Inc.
900 First Avenue
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 878-6658 (phone)
(610) 878-6260 (fax)
www.clearstrength.com (website)
info.additives@arkema.com (e-mail)

FOR ORDER INFORMATION

CONTACT
ARKEMA Europe
Functional Additives Customer Service
420 rue dEstienne dOrves
92700 COLOMBES, France
Tel: 33 (0)1 49 00 88 02
Fax: 33 (0)1 49 00 88 10

VISIT US AT OUR WEBSITE

www.arkema.com
Durastrength, Clearstrength,
Plastistrength, Thermolite, Ecepox and
Vikoflex are registered trademarks of
ARKEMA and ARKEMA, Inc.

Important Notice Regarding This Information

The information contained in this document is based on trials carried out by our Research Centres and data selected from the literature, but shall in no event be held to constitute or
imply any warranty, undertaking, express or implied commitment from our part. Our formal specifications define the limit of our commitment. No liability whatsoever can be accepted by
Arkema with regard to the handling, processing or use of the product or products concerned which must in all cases be employed in accordance with all relevant laws and/or
regulations in force in the country or countries concerned.