The Impact of Carbon Black Morphology and Dispersion on the Weatherability of Polyethylene~1

摘要

Carbon black is one of the most widely used and most effective ultraviolet (UV) light stabilizers for plastics applications. Several important segements of the plastics industry rely on carbon black for UV stabilization of weather-resistant products, including telecommunications and power cable jacketing, plastic pipes, geosynthetic membranes and agricultural films. Recent research at Cabot Corporation confirms that the quality of the dispersion of the carbon black in a plastic medium (i.e. polyethylene) is an important component of both the UV-resistance and mechanical properties of the finished plastic article. There is a significant body of research into the linkage between carbon black morphology, including particle size, and UV performance. These is also anecdotal evidence demonstrating the linkage between dispersion quailty and overall weatherability. In this study, Cabot will demonstrate that incremental improvements of carbon black dispersion can positively influence the expected life of plastic articles. With industry standard carbon blacks as a reference point, Cabot documents the morphologicla considerations of UV energy absorption and presents laboratory data demonstrating the link between dispersion and weatherability as well as between morphlogy and weatherability.