IMPACT OF TITANIUM DIOXIDE SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS ON EXTRUSION PROCESSING

摘要

Interfacial interactions between the titanium dioxide pigment surface and the polymeric matrix have a significant impact on the energy requirements for incorporation and the rheology of the resulting compound. This study investigated the effect of screw geometry and operating conditions on dispersion performance and torque loading during twin-screw compounding of three different grades of titanium dioxide pigments with different surface treatments into highly loaded polyethylene masterbatches. It was found that the screw design and operating conditions where the pigments performed best were quite different for the three grades. It was found that low intensity mixing sections and cooler barrel temperature settings seemed to favor the pigment with a compatibilizing hydrophobic surface treatment and high intensity mixing sections and hotter barrel temperature settings favored the pigments that did not have such a surface treatment. It was also found that by optimizing screw designs, much higher throughputs and better dispersion could be achieved.