Understanding filler interactions improves impact resistance

摘要

As raw material costs rise the use of fillers in polymer compounds looks increasingly attractive. In addition, many useful physical and processing properties can be imparted to plastics through the use of fillers. Many of these properties can be understood and predicted through standard tests. However, impact resistance follows no discernable rules. Dr. Chris DeArmitt of BASF AG describes research undertaken to discover some more reliable trends in this area.