FOR AUTO RTM

Limiting VOCs from LFRTs NEWS
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Fig. 1 Effects of chemistry change on emissions
The new formulations (middle and right) generally showed reductions in both VOC emissions and
fogging vs. the control (far left), and the formulation with the old stripping-agent technology (second
from left). Test sample size was 15 of each formulation. Source | Addcomp Holland BV
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
232
73.6
299
Reference
Formulation 1
22
Reference
Formulation 1
Fig 2 Effects of chemistry change on other critical properties
Tensile strength (in flow direction, measured in MPa), and notched Izod impact strength (at –40 o C,
measured in kJ/m 2 ) were measured for all five formulations (test sample size was 15 of each formulation)
to see if there was a change in key mechanical properties of molded parts. Ironically, only
Formulation #3 (source reduction/low-VOC masterbatch) did not see changes in these two properties.
Source | Addcomp Holland BV
242
75.1
217
Old
Technology
Formulation 2
22
Old
Technology
Formulation 2
200
Tensile strength flow
Izod notched @ –40 o C flow
75.1
209
Source
Reduction
Formulation 3
23
Source
Reduction
Formulation 3
162
70.9
264
22
VOC
New Tech 1:
Stripping Agent
Formulation 4
New Tech 1:
Stripping Agent
Formulation 4
Fog
150
Tech 2:
Adsorbent
Formulation 5
73.2
275
18
Tech 2:
Adsorbent
Formulation 5
most popular coupling agent, maleic anhydridegrafted
polyolefin (MAGPO). Coupling agents are
an important class of additive used to improve
bonding between, for example, PP or polyethylene
(PE) matrices and a variety of long and short fibers
(plant-derived, glass, etc.), improving stiffness,
impact resistance and thermal performance.
Research has shown that to maximize MAGPO’s
effectiveness as a coupling agent in LFRTs,
as formulators seek purity, it’s critical both to
maintain high levels of molecular weight and
grafting (which increase mechanical performance)
as well as to decrease free maleic-anhydride
(MAH) levels, which result in VOC emissions.
Achieving these goals has been a challenge,
but a new generation of ultrapure MAGPO technology
reportedly offers high levels of molecular
weight and grafted functionality, providing high
composite performance at low loadings, yet has
levels of free MAH several orders of magnitude
lower than previous technologies (