Acrylic Beads

Altuglas BS
LOW PROFILE ADDITIVES IN POLYESTER RESINS

Altuglas International, one of Arkemas business units, is the global leading producer of PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate). Altuglas International worldwide. has sales and manufacturing operations

ALTUGLAS BS PRODUCT
Altuglas BS grades are acrylic copolymers in the form of beads (spherical particles) that are used as low-shrink and low-profile additives for formulations of unsaturated polyester curable resins (UPR). The BS are proposed in a wide range of grades of different composition, molecular weight and particle size. This variety allows to select the most suitable Altuglas BS grade to meet the requirements of many applications and processes. Altuglas

KEY ADVANTAGES OF ALTUGLAS BS PRODUCTS

A grade for every formulation Excellent shrink control and mechanical properties Class A surfaces High resistance to thermal deformation Improvement in painting and printability High resistance to thermal degradation Reduction of residual volatile Easy dispersion and solubility Outstanding weather / light resistance In comparison with other low-shrink polymer additives, Altuglas BS beads offer an exceptional resistance to light and weather, a superior resistance to thermal degradation (with lower release of volatiles), a nice chemical resistance and good overall mechanical properties, especially higher resistance to thermal deformation (high Tg). Altuglas BS grades also have some beneficial effects such as dispersion of pigments and additives in the formulation.

ALTUGLAS BS SELECTION
Unsaturated Polyester curable Resins are one of the most useful materials used to produce various types of pieces by several processes, including hand lay-up, transfer moulding (RTM), injection moulding, compression moulding (SMC/BMC) and pultrusion. A detrimental point in polyester resin polymerisation can be the shrinkage of pieces during the curing, that may vary according to process conditions, and is difficult to control. Addition of 3 to 20 % w/w of Altuglas BS beads allows to control shrinking. Typical uses of Altuglas BS beads is by solution in styrene (20-40%w) to obtain viscous solutions used as additives to polyester formulations.

A grade for every formulation :

The large range of Altuglas BS grades, with different compositions and molecular weights, allows the best choice of acrylic polymer to formulate additive styrene solutions with optimised low-shrinkage performance and viscosity for each polyester resin and application process. Beads shape (small spherical particles) is a great advantage in easy dispersion and dissolution of additive in styrene. Altuglas BS 440 is a copolymer grade with free acid functionality. Reactivity of acid groups with basic oxides fillers (e.g. MgO) gives a good thickening effect to polyester resin as recommended for some SMC applications. Altuglas BS 684 is a copolymer MMA/STY(methylmethacrylate/styrene) with proven good low-shrinkage performance but also able to reduce final volatiles (residual styrene monomer) in polyester cured pieces (see Arkema patent). This effect minimizes surface defects in painting and especially in coating technologies, such as vacuum metallisation. Dispersion of pigments is also improved.

In addition, our special grades range can do more :

Altuglas BS 215 with special small size (50 microns) guarantees an improved dispersion and it can be added directly into UP resin, avoiding solution preparation, storage and dosage.

ALTUGLAS BS TYPICAL PROPERTIES

Grade
Composition

Tg (C)

Viscosity in STY (cP) 30%w 40%w 15k partially soluble 10k partially soluble 10k

Acid Index

Suggested application special RTM - Injection general purpose - BMC general purpose - BMC general purpose - BMC best for SMC

Key benefits

BS 215 BS 520 BS 510 BS 684 BS 440

Copolymer MMA/BMA Copolymer MMA Copolymer MMA Copolymer MMA/STY Copolymer MMA

108 107 110 108 100

1000 900 500 2500 1200

<1 <1 <1 <1 10

small particle size (50m) for direct addition in resin

low volatile emission pigment dispersion with acid functionality

Do not constitute specifications.

TECHNICAL DATASHEET
Product Technical Datasheets are available for each Altuglas BS grade, including main typical properties.

SAFETY DATASHEET
Material safety datasheets of Altuglas BS are available and include all important indications concerning the use of these products.

CONTACTS
Altuglas International 89 bd National F-92257 La Garenne-Colombes cedex T : + 33 (0) 1 78 66 23 00 F : + 33 (0) 1 78 66 23 96 www.altuglasint.com

The information contained in this document is based on trials carried out by our Technical centres and data selected from literature, but shall in no event be help to constitute or imply any warranty, undertaking, expressed or implied commitment from our part. Our formal specifications define the limit of our commitment. No liability whatsoever can be accepted by Altuglas International with regard to the handling, processing or use of the product or products concerned which must in all cases be employed in accordance with all relevant laws and/or regulations in force in the country or countries concerned.

Altuglas is a registered trademark belonging to Arkema.

Version: 3 March 2010