Paraloid™ K120N-K120ND
Paraloid™ K120N-K120ND
Paraloid™ K120N-K120ND
The Industry Standard for Controlled Fusion, Optimum Processing and Product Quality
Description
Over 35 years ago, Rohm and Haas introduced the first all-acrylic processing aid, pioneering a technological
breakthrough. This addition has made rigid PVC processing possible, and therefore a viable material for many new
applications.
Today, PARALOID K120N and K120ND are industry standards, used in the production of bottles, in film/sheet
applications and in the construction industry, representing a high proportion of the total sales of the world’s acrylic
processing aids for vinyls.
In addition to faster fusion, PARALOID acrylic processing aids offer many attractive rheological features and
improve the quality and finish of the product. These benefits will be evident from the results of the tests shown in
this brochure.
By dramatically shortening the fusion time, PARALOID K120N and K120ND can increase production output and
improve yield.
Improved fusion also permits a broader range of processing temperatures and conditions. Other processing
benefits include improved melt-elasticity and reduction of plate-out and melt fracture.
PARALOID acrylic processing aids improve product quality in terms of surface gloss and finish, more even
thickness and weight, weld-line strength, tensile strength and impact efficiency.
These benefits are obtained with the use of both PARALOID K120N and K120ND. In addition, PARALOID K120N
and K120ND comply with the FDA and most European food packaging regulations.* PARALOID K120ND is
generally chosen by manufacturers requiring excellent dispersibility and good optical properties, under low-shear
processing conditions.
The PARALOID K120N/K120ND production process has obtained the ISO 9002 quality assurance certification.
* For further information on food contact compliance of our products, please refer to the local Rohm and Haas Sales Subsidary.
Performance in Processing
Using a PARALOID processing aid to change the polymer melt rheology provides the processors with a material
that adapts to wide operational conditions and allows increased throughput. The addition of these products to PVC
formulations improves the fusion behaviour and results in a more homogeneous melt. The high molecular weight
of the processing aids also results in higher melt strength and higher rupture stress.
Fusion
PARALOID processing aids give a significant improvement to fusion, with faster fusion speed and higher fusion
torque.
Brabender Rheology Test (Sn-Stabilised)
This test shows the effect of changing rotor speed on rheology, with a bowl temperature of 150°C.
Sn Formulation
S PVC K60 100
Sn mercaptide stabiliser 1.4
Glycerol mono-oleate 1.0
High molecular weight complex ester 0.6
This test shows the effect of changing bowl temperature on rheology, with a rotor speed of 40 RPM.
Pb Formulation
S PVC K57 100
Tri-basic Pb sulphate 4
Tri-basic Pb stearate 0.25
N Pb stearate 0.15
Calcium stearate 0.75
Partially esterified wax of montanic 0.20
acid saponified with calcium
High molecular weight paraffin wax 0.15
CaCO3 5.00
Pigment 0.01
PARALOID K120N processing aid as indicated
The marked increases in melt strength and homogenisation provided by the addition of PARALOID K120N and
K120ND translate into reduced melt fracture and more detailed thermoforming, giving deeper draws without
tearing.
The addition of PARALOID processing aids significantly improves the elongational properties, resulting in better
thermoforming and blow moulding. The increased stress at break translates into reduced melt fracture and
improved surface finish.
The Rheotens test, which measures elongation and stress of polymer melts, characterises melt elastic properties
directly from the extruder, and predicts the performance of compounds in the molten state.
Without
Processing Aid K120N, 2 phr K120ND, 2 phr
Elongation (%) 450 710 770
Die swell (%) 1.5 1.8 1.8
2
Stress at break (N/mm ) 5.0 8.8 9.7
Sn Formulation
S PVC K57 100
Sn mercaptide stabiliser 1.5
Glycerine tri ester 1.0
Ester of montanic wax acid with 0.4
Dihydric alcohol
Ester of montanic wax partially 1.0
saponified with calcium
PARALOID BTA 736 10.0
PARALOID processing aid as indicated
Extrusion conditions:
These tests, on Ca/Zn and Sn formulations, show the effect of PARALOID processing aids on flow time and weight,
which translates into better control of wall thickness.
Sn-Stabiliser
Total Weight (g) Flow Time (s) Relative Die-Swell
Without processing aid 93.96 23.4 *
K120N, 0.25 phr 92.01 23.1 1.00
10.50 phr 95.13 24.0 1.03
K120N, 0.75 phr 95.89 24.3 1.06
K120N, 1.00 phr 99.14 25.2 1.09
K120N, 1.50 phr 103.89 26.1 1.14
K120ND, 0.25 phr 93.59 23.4 1.02
K120ND, 0.50 phr 96.34 24.0 1.08
K120ND, 0.75 phr 100.50 25.2 1.10
K120ND, 1.00 phr 105.50 26.4 1.16
K120ND, 1.50 phr 113.16 28.2 1.23
Sn Formulation
S PVC K57 100
Octyl-Sn mercaptide stabiliser 1.5
Fatty acid of polyol 0.5
Epoxidised soya bean oil 0.25
Ester of montanic wax partially 0.25
saponified with calcium
Ca/Zn-Stabilised
Total Weight (g) Flow Time (s) Bottle Weight (g)
Without processing aid 105.0 22.0 39.1
K120N, 0.2 phr 106.3 23.5 39.6
K120N, 0.5 phr 107.6 24.0 40.3
K120ND, 0.2 phr 108.2 24.0 40.3
K120ND, 0.5 phr 111.7 25.0 41.8
Extrusion conditions:
z Bekum BA 07
z Cylinder temperature (°C) 160, 170, 170 - Ca/Zn-stabilised
z Cylinder temperature (°C) 150, 160, 170 - Sn-stabilised
z Die head temperature (°C) 180, 180
z Screw speed (RPM) 80
Ca/Zn Formulation Ca/Zn Formulation
S PVC K57 100 S PVC K57 100
Calcium hydroxy stearate 0.3 Calcium hydroxy stearate 0.3
Zn octoate 23% 0.085 Zn octoate 23% Zn 0.085
Epoxidised soya bean oil 5.75 Epoxidised soya bean oil 5.75
Ester of montanic wax partially 0.75 Ester of montanic wax partially 0.75
saponified with calcium saponified with calcium
Stearoyl Benzoyl methane 0.20 Stearoyl Benzoyl methane 0.20
Glycerine tri ester 1.5 Glycerine tri ester 1.5
Polar PE wax 0.15 Polar PE wax 0.15
PARALOID BTA 736-S 6.0 PARALOID BTA 736-S 6.0
Heat Stability
The addition of PARALOID K120N and K120ND processing aids does not adversely affect heat stability.
K120N K120ND
3
Bulk density aerated (g/cm ) 0.408 0.452
3
Bulk density packed (g/cm ) 0.491 0.541
Powder flowability, 10.9 9.4
through 5-mm funnel (s)
Fines level, 325 mesh (%) 12.9 11.2
PARALOID processing aids, in addition to enhancing the performance of processing, give a clear benefit to the
finished products. Through good dispersion, the processing aid improves the surface quality without affecting
organoleptic properties.
By insuring good fusion and the homogenisation of other additives, the addition of PARALOID processing aids will
optimise the physical properties of the finished product.
Surface Quality
The addition of a PARALOID processing aid improves manufacturing production and gives a finished product the
high gloss and excellent surface quality required.
Melt Fracture
Melt fracture, which is related to the compound formulation and to the shear stress, shear rate, and temperature
of processing, limits manufacturing production rates and can reduce the quality of the finished product.
The photographs below show how PARALOID K120ND reduces the melt fracture of extruded rods, greatly
improving the surface quality.
Clarity Test
Because PARALOID processing aids are fully compatible with PVC, they do not affect the optical properties. In
critical applications, K120ND is generally chosen for its superior performance.
Ca/Zn Formulation
S PVC K57 100
Calcium hydroxy stearate 0.3
Zn octoate 0.078
Epoxidised soya bean oil 5.75
Ester of montanic wax partially 0.75
saponified with calcium
Stearoyl Benzoyl methane 0.20
Glycerine tri ester 1.5
Polar PE wax 0.15
PARALOID BTA 736-S 6.0
Transparency was measured using a Hunterlab colorimeter, with 1-litre 34g. round-ribbed bottles.
Dispersion
PARALOID K120N and K120ND processing aids help dispersion of compounding additives, and do not contribute to
gel formation. For critical applications, K120ND has an especially good rating.
Dispersion Rating
Low Shear High Shear
K120N 8 4
K120ND 3 1
Extrusion conditions:
z Bekum BA 07
z Low shear terni temperature (°C):
- Cylinder 180, 170, 150, 170, 180
- Die head 180, 180
z High shear temperature (°C):
- Cylinder 175, 160, 150, 165, 170
- Die head 175, 180
z Screw speed (RPM) 75
Sn Formulation
S PVC K58 100
Sn mercaptide stabiliser 1.5
Fatty acid of polyol 0.5
Epoxidised soya bean oil 0.25
Ester of montanic wax partially 0.25
saponified with calcium
Dioctyl phthalate 5.0
Organoleptic Properties
(Ca/Zn-Stabilised)
PARALOID K120N and K120ND processing aids used in Ca/Zn-stabilised formulations for food products, such as
water bottles, have a negligible effect on taste. In the following test, bottles made with a formulation including the
PARALOID processing aids are filled with mineral water, which is then compared to the same mineral water in
glass bottles.
Dimensional Control
The addition of PARALOID K120N processing aid gives better control of wall thickness in extruded profile and pipe.
This better control increases efficiency and output, and thereby reduces production costs.
The results in the following tables were obtained from one-month extended trials producing large pipes of various
diameters and wall thicknesses.
Without
Processing Aid K120N, 0.4 phr K120ND, 0.8 phr
Wall thickness variation (%) 8.5 6.72 2.62
Wall thickness range (%) 15.32 12.25 5.11
Variation from nominal thickness (%) 12.38 8.41 3.42
Without
Processing Aid K120N, 0.8 phr
Pipe Production, Wall Thickness
Minimum - maximum (mm) 5.15 to 5.50 4.27 to 4.50
Range (mm) 0.35 0.23
Thickness variation (%) 3.38 2.62
Variation from nominal thickness (%) 20.9 3.42
Pipe Output
Metres/hour 68.5 68.5
Kg/hour 558.1 498.5
Pipe Weight
Kg/metre - measured 8.05 7.09
Definitions:
Thickness variation is the percentage variation of the maximum and minimum above and below the average.
Wall thickness range is the percentage variation of the minimum below the maximum. This is the factor often used in the pipe industry to
record control of wall thickness.
Variation from nominal thickness is the percentage difference between the average thickness and the nominal wall thickness. It emphasises
how much the pipe dimension is over and under the nominal size.
Test Standard
Optical ASTM-D1003-61
Yellowness index ASTM-D1925-70
In this test, the parison is extruded vertically from the Bekum die to the floor. The hot parison is then squeezed
between two vertical plates and allowed to cool. The cold parison is removed from between the plates and cut
carefully into 10-cm segments. Each segment is weighed and plotted against the parison length. The segment
weights are plotted back to the zero length, to give the weight/cm of the first part of the parison exiting the
Bekum die.
The die swell is calculated as the ratio of the zero-length weight of the parison with processing aid to the zero-
length weight of the parison without processing aid.
Rheotens Extensiometer
The Rheotens Extensiometer is an instrument designed to measure elongation and stress of polymer melts. The
Rheotens Extensiometer is comprised of an extrusion gear assembly, a programmer, and a chart recorder.
The programmer is used to control the speed and acceleration of two cogged wheels in the extrusion gear
assembly. The polymer melt strand is passed between the two cogged wheels, and the chart recorder records the
force and velocity.
The operator first sets the speed and acceleration, typically to the same linear speed as the extrudate, and then
places the polymer melt strand between the two cogged wheels. The speed is then increased, and the resulting
elongation and stress can be charted.
Recommended Formulations
Pigment as required
PARALOID K120N processing aid 2 to 3
Rohm and Haas Company makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or appropriateness of this data and expressly
excludes any liability upon Rohm and Haas arising out of its use. We recommend that the prospective users determine for themselves the
suitability of Rohm and Haas’ materials and suggestions for any use prior to their adoption.
Suggestions for uses of our products or the inclusion of descriptive material from patents and the citation of specific patents in this publication
should not be understood as recommending the use of our products in violation of any patent or as permission or license to use any patents of
the Rohm and Haas Company. Material Safety Data Sheets outlining the hazards and handling methods for our products are available on
request.