Purging compounds for use when molding thermoplastics

Injection molding

Material and color changes

Frequent material and color changes are a cost-intensive factor in plastics processing. They are often associated with significant time and effort, large quantities of granules, long start-up times and production downtime. Purging processes can sometimes take hours to complete, it often being necessary to disassemble the plasticating unit and then mechanically clean it. The market offers emulsions, powders, granules and liquids for purging. These products are intended to minimize the time required for purging. The purging compounds listed in the table were used at Bayer MaterialScience AG (Polycarbonates Business Unit) to test their efficiency. Analysis focused on the change in color (from black to

natural) of a specific molded part made of Bayer MaterialScience thermoplastics. Purging compounds with a chemical, chemical/mechanical and exclusively mechanical effect were tested. In addition to the purging effect, the potential wear on the plasticizing unit was tested by ENGEL AUSTRIA GmbH. The granular products were investigated to determine their abrasive or corrosive effect. Problems encountered in practice vary greatly. The user must therefore choose a purging compound that best meets his needs. The criteria listed in the table can facilitate this decision-making process.

page 1 of 4 File No. PCS 1102 e, replaces ATI 1102 e dated 08.04.2008 Edition 2011-10-10

Technical Information

Trade name (delivery form, mode of action) Purgex 527 plus (concentrate in granular form; chemical effect)

Manufacturer, distributor Neutrex, Inc., www.neutrex.com/ Kunststoff-technik Ulrike Lapacz, www.kunststofftechnik-lapacz.de

Mixing ratio

Processing temperature range; [ C] 150 320 (up to 350, but without soak)

Suitable for hot runner molds*1

Abrasive and corrosive effect *2

special notes

Environmental concerns

Add 8% of the concentrate

yes

Abrasive Purge intermittently, see effect minor gas formation, appears to apply several times and manufacturer briefly allow to soak be possible Abrasive Gas odor, apply several effect see times and briefly allow appears to manufacturer to soak be possible Can have a very abrasive and, under Set screw speed as certain high as possible, see conditions, increasing temperature manufacturer also a improves purging effect corrosive effect Abrasive Purge intermittently, effect faint odor formation, see appears to solids can stuck in the manufacturer be possible nozzle Purge intermittently, no see streaking with the manufacturer subsequent material*1

Rapid Purge IG Rapid Purge, www.rapidpurge.com/ 3000 (concentrate in granular form; Schlicht Handelsgesell-schaft oHG, www.schlicht-gmbh.com chemical effect) Sun Plastech Inc. Asaclean New www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/asaclean/en/ Ex (granules; mechanicalVelox GmbH, chemical effect) www.velox.com

30% to 50% of Rapid up to 300 (up to Purge with 70% to 320 possible, 50% of the same or but flows out) subsequent material

yes

used straight

200 to 360

no, but special material is available in this case

Romatin AG/ 30% to 50% of Rozylit Rozylit T with 70% to 50% of the (granules, Kunststofftechnik Mittelhuser, same or subsequent mechanical kunststofftechnik@mittelhaeuser.de material effect) Lusin Clean 25% of Lusin Clean 1500 Chem-Trend with (concentrate in www.chemtrend.com 75% Polycarbonat granular form; chemical effect)
*1

200 to 300

no

180 to 320

yes

No

According to manufacturer, *2According to ENGEL AUSTRIA Gmbh

It is recommended for all purging compounds and processes to extract the resulting vapors. Wear a face mask and gloves. (See also the respective Instructions for use.)

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Technical Information