Wednesday, September 24, 2008
2008 R&D 100 Winner
Polypropylene (PP) is a widely used polyolefin because of its flexibility, light weight, good chemical resistance, and the fact that it can be melted and reshaped easily. Packaging and housewares are common applications for PP, but its crystallinity causes a cloudy and opaque appearance. Millad NX8000 from Milliken & Co., Spartanburg, S.C., overcomes this limitation by inventing a new chemistry, dibenzylidene nonitol (DBN).
PP crystallizes slowly from the melt, forming complex structures called spherulites. These dictate the optical properties and physical appearance of PP, and Milliken has reduced the size of the spherulites with the new clarifying agent, achieving the lowest amount of haze ever achieved in polypropylene parts. DBN is usable over wider range of processing conditions, allowing Milliken to replace more expensive and denser water white polymers such as PET and PVC. The result is less energy use in making products as wide-ranging as deodorant barrels, CD cases, baby bottles, and appliance parts.
Technology
Materials process
Developer
Milliken & Co.
