For unbeatable performance

the easy choice

is Viton® FreeFlow™
 INCREASE THROUGHPUT DECREASE DOWNTIME
Viton® FreeFlow™ delivers
processing advantages
from formulation to finished product
Sometimes it is the little details that contribute the
most to success, like polymer process aids (PPAs).
In a typical resin formulation, adding less than one
part per thousand of Viton® FreeFlow™ eliminates
melt fracture in blown films and reduces die build-
up in extrusions. By rapidly coating internal die
surfaces, Viton® FreeFlow™ leads to fast transitions,
reduced scrap and higher production output ; all of
which improves profits for your business.
Viton® FreeFlow™ – the easy choice
DuPont Performance Elastomers, a leader in process
aid technologies for over 40 years, offers a family of
Viton® FreeFlow™ products engineered to improve your
product quality and boost manufacturing efficiencies
by increasing production yields and reducing
downtime. The processing advantages of Viton ®
FreeFlow™ at every step in the value chain makes your
choice of PPAs an easy one. From extrusion pelletizing
of resins and masterbatches to the extrusion of finished
products, Viton® FreeFlow™ delivers superior results.
A little bit adds a lot of value Viton® FreeFlow™ eliminates melt fracture in blown film
Less than one part/thousand radically increases Without Viton® FreeFlow™ process aid
2 yields
REDUCE SCRAP
Universally excellent performance
Viton ® FreeFlow ™ process aids work with most
polyolefin resins and compounds, from linear low-
density (LLDPE) to high-density (HDPE) polyethylene
resins, polypropylene and metallocene technology
resins. Viton® FreeFlow™ can also be used with other
polymers including PS, SEBS and ABS to boost
quality and production.
Viton® FreeFlow™ has a strong history of adding value
by solving many processing and product needs :
• In research conducted by DuPont Performance
Elastomers, PE resins containing Viton® FreeFlow™
were processed with a 25ºC lower melt temperature
while using the same die pressure.This translates into
higher melt strength and faster cooling for better
gauge control, greater output, and lower haze.
• Other research has shown significant improvements
in product appearance (smoother, higher-gloss finish)
and mechanical strength (tear, dart impact) derived
from the use of Viton® FreeFlow™.
With Viton® FreeFlow™ process aid
 Film, fibers and extruded shapes
In blown film applications, Viton® FreeFlow™ prevents
“sharkskin” melt fracture, leading to smooth, clear
film with a high-gloss finish. Combine that with
improved production rates, simpler transitions and
reduced yield loss, and the result is higher quality
film at a lower cost.
How Viton® FreeFlow™ works
Viton ® FreeFlow ™ PPAs speed and smooth the
extrusion process by coating the inside of the die
with a microscopically thin, non-stick film. This
slippery coating reduces friction at the resin/die
interface and allows the extrusion to flow freely and
more rapidly through the die opening.

For extruded shapes, such as tubing, cable jacketing,
pipe, and profiles, Viton® FreeFlow™ helps keep the die
face clean by reducing die build-up. A cleaner die
reduces the potential for product scrap or re-work
caused by die lines, and lengthens intervals between
downtime for die maintenance. Smoother extrusion
conditions lead to higher throughput and improved
surface finish on extruded products.
Its non-stick properties prevent the accumulation of
resin particles at the die exit, eliminating the major
cause of die build-up and reducing the downtime
required for cleaning.
With the PPA added to the resin melt stream, the
slippery coating on the die surface is continuously
renewed and replenished during the extrusion process.

In the production of fibers and monofilaments,

Viton ® FreeFlow ™ reduces die build-up and the
resulting strand breakage. Improved throughput,
faster winding speeds, and less downtime lead
directly to higher yields and profitability.

Reduces die build-up for cleaner,

easier operations

Die pressure measured on blown film line at

equal extrusion rates

35

30

Without Viton® FreeFlow™ process aid

Die Pressure (MPa)

25

20

15

10
LLDPE mLLDPE HDPE (bi-modal) HDPE (uni-modal)

without PPA with PPA

Viton® FreeFlow™ reduces die pressure in a wide range of polyolefin resins With Viton® FreeFlow™ process aid 3
 Viton® FreeFlow™ Z Technology™

the next generation

in process aid technology
Choose exceptional efficiency and performance
Viton® FreeFlow™ Z Technology™ is the first break-
through process aid technology to be introduced to
the plastics industry since the 1980s and represents an
innovation in process additives. Viton® FreeFlow™ Z
Technology™ products use unique fluoroelastomer and
proprietary technologies to create a process aid that
contacts and coats the die surface more efficiently than
other products on the market today.
Better performance for your business success
Viton® FreeFlow™ Z Technology™ PPAs work with some
of the most demanding and challenging resins under
a broad range of processing conditions and formula-
tions. They will dramatically improve your business.
Viton FreeFlow Z is the answer for manufacturers who
® ™
have resisted using next-generation resins because
of processing difficulties. It enables you to push
the manufacturing envelope to higher temperatures to
maximize your output. It offers more consistent
performance over a broader range of processing
conditions, and fewer negative interactions with other
additives in the resin or compound.
Viton® FreeFlow™ Z products reduce olfactory effects
during processing and in final products, and are more
resistant to discoloration caused by thermal breakdown
at higher processing temperatures. Both of these are
critical benefits when making high-quality products for
sensitive applications such as medical and food contact
films and packaging.
The advantages delivered by Viton® FreeFlow™ make
the choice of PPAs a simple one. From resin producer, to
converter, to end-user, Viton® FreeFlow™ Z Technology™
delivers exceptional performance benefits.

Time to clear melt fracture on blown LLDPE film as a

Viton® FreeFlow™ Z Technology™ can improve film properties
function of PPA level, type, and silica (DE) antiblock level

120
80

100
70 600 ppm PPA in 0.5 ml
ethylene-octene LLDPE
Time to clear melt fracture (min)

60 80

50
60

40 Z200
40
Z200 with 5000 ppm Silica
30

Competitive FE-PEG
20
20
FE-PEG Blend with 5000 ppm Silica

0
10
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 RT MD CD 45 20 Haze Clarity
Dart/10 Tear/10 Tear/10 Gloss Gloss % %

Process aid level (ppm)

Z200 Competitive FE-PEG

Viton® FreeFlow™ Z Technology™ products resist aggressive additives like

4 antiblock better than conventional process aids
 ROBUST PERFORMANCE IMPROVED EFFICIENCY INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

Viton® FreeFlow™ Z Technology™

one technology
with two product families
Viton® FreeFlow™ Z100 family
The Viton® FreeFlow™ Z100 family is designed with a
conventional interfacial agent, polyethylene glycol
(PEG), at lower levels than other fluoroelastomer PPAs.
This technology offers improved performance and the
following benefits :
• reduces the potential for olfactory effects in the
final product
• reduces screw slippage in extruders, which can be
caused by excessive PEG
• reduces discoloration and breakdown from thermally
or oxidatively unstable components
• reduces the potential for negative interactions
with other film additives such as antiblock, HALs,
and antioxidants
Viton® FreeFlow™ Z200 family
The Viton® FreeFlow™ Z200 family is designed with a
unique interfacial agent, polycaprolactone (PCL), that
offers superior performance characteristics. This
innovative technology offers best-in-class performance
with the following benefits :
• no potential for olfactory effects or discoloration in
the final product
• virtually eliminates screw slippage, leading to more
uniform dosing and higher production rates
• more thermally and oxidatively stable than PEG
products, allowing processing at higher temperatures
• no negative interactions with other film additives
such as antiblock, HALs, UV stabilizers, and
antioxidants
• delivers the ultimate process aid performance and
value in most cases

Change in sample weight as a function of temperature

100

90
Normalized weight (%)

Z200 at 150 ppm, 30 minutes after introducing 80

PPA
70

Thermogravimetric analysis,
60 10 c/m in heating rate, in air

50

40

30
200 250 300 350

Temperature (deg°C)

Z100 Z200 Competitive FE-PEG

Competitive FE-PEG at 300 ppm, 30 minutes Viton® FreeFlow™ Z Technology™ products resist degradation
after introducing PPA at high temperature better than competitive FE-PEG blends 5
 Viton® FreeFlow™ meets the

specific challenges
of your application
In addition to reduced melt fracture and die build-up Safe to handle, safe for food contact
for polyolefin processing, significant improvements Viton® FreeFlow™ PPAs are stable at standard formu-
in processing with Viton® FreeFlow™ include : lation and processing temperatures. Most Viton®
FreeFlow™ products meet US FDA, European, Canadian
• lower operating costs and Japanese food requirements for use as an
• increased output extrusion aid in manufacturing extruded polyolefins
• improved gauge control and cooling efficiency for food contact applications. For food contact status
• more efficiency and better physical properties of specific Viton® FreeFlow™ products, please contact
• increased melt strength DuPont Performance Elastomers.
• improved bubble stability
• reduced need for blending

Benefits of Viton® FreeFlow™ for polyolefin processing

Elimination of Increased Reduced Elimination of Improved Lower Faster

melt fracture output cost die build-up surface temperature cycle time
Applications
Film extrusion • • • • • •
Wire and cable • • • • • •
Blow molding • • • • • • •
Pipe and tubing • • • • • •
Fiber spinning • • •
Extrusion coating • •
6
Extruded foam • • •
Technical support
DuPont Performance Elastomers is committed to being a good business supplier.
DuPont Performance Elastomers has the technology, the experience and the desire
to help you understand how to use Viton® FreeFlow™ products and how best to
adapt the technology for your processes and products. Talk with our technical and
customer support consultants to help gain a competitive edge, grow your business
and be more profitable when working with polymer process aids.
For further information please contact one of the offices below, or visit
our website at www.dupontelastomers.com/vitonff

Global Headquarters – Wilmington, DE USA European Headquarters – Geneva

Tel. +1 800 853 5515 Tel. +41 22 717 4000
+1 302 792 4000 Fax +41 22 717 4001
Fax +1 302 792 4450

South & Central America Headquarters – Brazil Asia Pacific Headquarters – Singapore
Tel. +55 11 4166 8978 Tel. +65 6275 9383
Fax +55 11 4166 8989 Fax +65 6275 9395

Japan Headquarters – Tokyo

Tel. +81 3 6402
+81 3 5521 6300
2990
Fax +81 3 6402
+81 3 5521 6301
2991

The information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and is based on technical data that DuPont Performance Elastomers believes to be reliable. It is intended for
use by persons having technical skill, at their own discretion and risk. Handling precaution information is given with the understanding that those using it will satisfy
themselves that their particular conditions of use present no health or safety hazards. Since conditions of product use and disposal are outside our control, we make no
warranties, express or implied, and assume no liability in connection with any use of this information. As with any material, evaluation of any compound under end-use
conditions prior to specification is essential. Nothing herein is to be taken as a license to operate or a recommendation to infringe on patents. While the information
presented here is accurate at the time of publication, specifications can change. Check www.dupontelastomers.com for the most up-to-date information.
Caution: Do not use in medical applications involving permanent implantation in the human body. For other medical applications, discuss with your DuPont Performance Elastomers
customer service representative and read Medical Caution Statement H-69237.

DuPont™ is a trademark of DuPont and its affiliates.

Viton®, Viton® FreeFlow™and Viton® FreeFlow™ Z Technology™
are trademarks or registered trademarks
of DuPont Performance Elastomers.

Copyright © 2006 DuPont Performance Elastomers.

All rights reserved.

(05/06) Printed in USA.

Reorder no: VFS-A10511-00-A0506