3M Polymer Processing Additives

3M™ Polymer Processing Additives have helped manufacturers improve both quality and output for a variety of extruded products – from the plastic bottles and bags in your cupboard to construction materials like pipe, cable and even artificial grass. PPAs are effective at low use levels (100–1000 ppm), so just a small amount can reduce common processing issues like die build-up and melt fracture. That results in better surface quality, less waste, increased productivity, and a smoother extrusion process from start to finish.

PPAs have been widely used in blown and cast film processes, pipe and sheet extrusion, cable, fiber and monofilament extrusion, blow molding and compounding. They work by creating a low surface energy coating on the die surface. This allows the melt to slip through the die more freely and more easily, without sticking.

See some of the many ways you could benefit from the use of PPAs:
 

• Reduce or eliminate melt fracture
• Reduce die build-up
• Improve processing of high viscosity polymers
• Reduce gel formation
• Reduce interfacial instability in multilayer films
• Improve color changeover
• Improve gloss and surface smoothness