Lubricants for PVC Sasol Chemicals Lubricants for PVC Lubricants for PVC The Sasol Chemicals – Performance Solutions offers a range of external lubricants that has been specially developed for use during PVC processing, and includes the unique Fischer-Tropsch (FT) products. The Sasolwax FT products are synthesised using Sasol’s proprietary FT technology, which reacts carbon monoxide and hydrogen to form unsaturated and unbranched molecules. The linear structure of these synthetic hydrocarbons is responsible for the many desirable properties and performance benefits of Sasolwax, for example, the low viscosity of these products make them very efficient external lubricants in PVC. Sasol’s R&D team have developed unique performing functionality into the Sasolwax FT product group. These materials yield desirable properties to modify melt viscosity, melt stiffness, fusion rate, and gelation time. These properties often yield the opportunity to increase the output rate of UPVC. The function of lubricants in PVC The “melting” behaviour of PVC is different from that of semicrystalline polymers. PVC granules have a particulate structure; each granule is an agglomerate of primary particles (“globules”). Each primary particle has an internal fine structure made up of fibrils (“nodules”). The properties of any article fabricated from PVC depend on the original coarse powder structure being destroyed and replaced with a new connected microstructure. This process is known as fusion. Under- or over-fusion results in poor mechanical properties and so it is important to ensure that fusion takes place at the right time during processing. Internal lubricants, which coat the surfaces of the globules to assist the breakdown of the particulate structure, accelerate the fusion process that may lead to over-fusion and polymer degradation. External lubricants, which act between the polymer and metal surfaces, delay fusion. The use of Sasolwax FT products can benefit and help PVC processors. Benefits at a glance • The efficiency of Sasolwax FT products may allow lower concentrations of the external lubricant to be used, particularly when alternative systems lead to blooming. • Sasolwax products efficiently controls the fusion of PVC (when correctly formulated with internal lubricants), allowing optimal processing and physical properties to be achieved. • Reduces power consumption as observed by drop in amps • Reduction of volatiles at vent and die exit versus other wax materials, reducing environmental issues during extrusion • Provides good metal release • Reduces the formation of “hot spots” that result in thermal degradation of the PVC • Reduces die lines and improves surface gloss • Allows for reduction of external lubricant loading while improving physical properties, such as impact, flexural and tensile strength. • SASOLWAX 6530SA is a qualified hydrocarbon wax yielding similar torque fusion response as fully refined 165F melt paraffin with benefit of reduced die drool (beard), faster heat transfer, slightly stiffer melt and higher output. • Good cost to performance benefits. • Lower plate out / die-drool than other external lubricants. Lubricants for PVC Product overview: Sasolwax FT waxes Acid value (ASTM D 1386/7) mg KOH/g Dosage (phr) 112 < 0.1 0.2 – 1.2 Powder (<1180 microns) 112 < 0.1 0.2 – 1.2 SASOLWAX C105 Pastilles 117 < 0.1 0.2 – 1.2 SASOLWAX B52 Powder 110 3 0.2 – 1.2 SASOLWAX B39 Powder 112 14 0.2 – 1.2 SASOLWAX A28 Powder 109 29 0.2 – 1.2 SASOLWAX 6530SA Pastilles, powder 67 – 69 5 – 7.5 SASOLWAX B70 Pastilles, powder 101 n/a Product form Drop melting point (°C) SASOLWAX H1 Flakes, pastilles, powder SASOLWAX H1N6 Viscosity Injection molding SASOLWAX H1N6 SASOLWAX C105 SASOLWAX B52 SASOLWAX B39 SASOLWAX A28 SASOLWAX 6530SA SASOLWAX B70 Fittings Profile Footwear Pipe Wire and cable Calcium stabilizers SASOLWAX H1 Tin stabilizers Lead stabilizers Applications: Sasolwax FT waxes Lubricants for PVC Comparison of Sasolwax FT hard waxes to 165F refined paraffin Comparison of functionalized Sasolwax FT waxes to 165F refined paraffin 70 70 Increasing Mw of FT wax 50 40 30 20 50 40 30 20 10 10 0 Increasing oxidation of FT wax 60 Torque (Nm) Torque (Nm) 60 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 0 0 30 Time (s) 0.8 phr 165F RP 0.8 phr SW 6530SA 0.8 phr SW C80 0.8 phr SW H1 60 90 120 150 180 210 Time (s) 0.8 phr S WC105 Sasolwax high efficiency lubricants can be formulated to boost output and lower energy consumption. 0.8 phr 165F RP 0.8 phr SW C105 0.8 phr SW B52 0.8 phr SW B70 0.8 phr SW B39 Sasolwax Oxygenated Fischer-Tropsch waxes show more internal lubrication, promoting earlier fusion and lower melt pressures. Sasolwax FT waxes can yield output advantages 130 % • The high efficiency of synthetic Sasolwax FT waxes moves output bottlenecks from the extruder to downstream take off and cooling capacity. 120 % 110 % • SW B52 and SW B70 are proven to yield excellent physical and aesthetic properties to rigid PVC profiles. 100 % • Fusion of PVC when using SW B52 or SW B70 is highly temperature dependent. 90 % 80 % 70 % Parrafin wax 1.4 phr SW 6530SA 1.32 phr SW B52 0.85 phr SW B70 0.80 phr • Output of PVC with SW B52 or SW B70 is gained via higher screw speeds as the external efficiency reduces melt pressure and torque in the extruder. General guidelines It is essential that proper processing conditions be used in order to take full advantage of the benefits offered by Sasolwax products. The level of Sasolwax products required in any application will need to be determined such that the fusion time of the polymer is matched with the optimised process conditions, e.g., line speed. Sasolwax products maintain regulatory approvals over a wide range of PVC, Polymer, and non-polymer applications. Please contact your local Sasol representative for details. With technical support by Sasol's experts, higher melting point Sasolwax FT wax can be used as highly efficient lubricants that are proven to yield output benefits. At your service Sasol Chemicals Performance Solutions Worthdamm 13–27, 20457 Hamburg, Germany Global contacts Europe North America Latin America Asia-Pacific Africa wax@de.sasol.com wax@us.sasol.com wax@us.sasol.com wax@ap.sasol.com wax@sasol.com www.sasol.com Source Reference: Cover: AdobeStock / MRTHANNITHI, p. 1: Dreamstime / Igor Akimov, Dreamstime / Marko Sumakovic, p. 2: Dreamstime / Alexander Sorokopud, Dreamstime / Idmanjoe, Dreamstime / Richard Jacyno, Dreamstime / Adisorn Sukhamwang, p. 3: Dreamstime / Vasily Smirnov Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is based on Sasol’s knowledge and experience at the time of its creation. We reserve the right to make any changes to this document or the products described therein, as a result of technological progress or developments. This information implies no liability or other legal responsibility on our part, including with regard to existing thirdparty patent rights. In particular, no guarantee or warranty of properties in the legal sense is implied. The customer is not exempted from the obligation to conduct careful inspection and testing of incoming products. All our business transactions are governed exclusively by our General Business Terms (https://www.sasolgermany.de/de/agb/). Lubricants for PVC 01/21 Sasol is a registered trademark of Sasol Ltd. Product trademarks displayed in this document are the property of the Sasol Group of companies, except where it is clear from the context that not. Users of this document are not permitted to use these trademarks without the prior written consent of their proprietor. All rights not expressly granted are reserved. 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