*PQ AB750: High-Performance Anti-Blocking Silica for Plastic Films
PQ AB750, a precipitated silica product by PQ Corporation (USA), serves primarily as an anti-blocking agent for plastic films. It prevents inter-layer adhesion by forming micro-scale protrusions on the film surface while enhancing slip properties and processability. Below is a detailed overview of its characteristics, technical specifications, downstream applications, and industry advantages.
I. Product Basics
1. Chemical Composition & Manufacturing Process
• Composition: Mainly composed of amorphous silica (SiO₂) with a purity ≥99%, containing trace metal oxides (e.g., Na₂O, Fe₂O₃).
• Process: Produced via the precipitation method, where sodium silicate (water glass) reacts with sulfuric acid to form a precipitate, which is then washed, dried, and surface-treated (Source: Eastmoney).
• Surface Treatment: Typically modified with organosilane (e.g., fatty acid esters) to enhance compatibility with plastic resins and reduce dispersion difficulty.
2. Physical Properties & Specifications
• Appearance: White powder, free of visible impurities.
• Particle Size: Average particle size (D50) of approximately 7–10 μm, with a narrow distribution 可调 (adjustable via classification) to suit different film thickness requirements (Source: X-Technology Patent).
• Specific Surface Area: 150–200 m²/g (BET method), ensuring high adsorption and anti-blocking efficiency.
• pH Value: 6.5–7.5 (neutral), safe for non-reactive interaction with film materials.
• Density: ~2.0 g/cm³, bulk density 0.2–0.4 g/cm³, facilitating metering and dispersion.
II. Core Technical Features
1. Anti-Blocking Performance
• Mechanism: AB750 migrates to the film surface during processing, forming micron-scale protrusions that disrupt inter-layer van der Waals forces and prevent sticking (Source: X-Technology Patent).
• Quantified Results:
◦ Coefficient of Friction (COF): Reduces from 0.8–1.2 to 0.2–0.4, significantly improving slip.
◦ Opening Force: For PE films with 0.5–1.5% AB750, opening force ≤5 N/15 mm, meeting high-speed packaging line requirements.
2. Dispersibility & Process Stability
• Masterbatch Compatibility: Easily compounded with PE, PP, and other resins into masterbatches, ensuring uniform dispersion in extrusion and avoiding surface defects from agglomeration.
• Thermal Stability: Stable at processing temperatures of 200–250°C, with no decomposition or volatilization, suitable for high-temperature extrusion.
3. Balanced Optical & Mechanical Properties
• Transparency: Maintains high film transmittance (≥90%) via controlled particle size distribution, ideal for clear packaging films.
• Mechanical Impact: Minimal effect on tensile/tear strength at recommended loadings (≤2%); may even enhance puncture resistance in some formulations.
III. Downstream Applications
1. Plastic Film Manufacturing
• Key Applications:
◦ Food Packaging Films: PE cling film, PP shrink film to prevent adhesion in meat/bakery packaging.
◦ Agricultural Films: Reduces sticking in PE mulch films, improving field deployment efficiency.
◦ Industrial Packaging: Stretch wrap and heavy-duty bags for enhanced stackability.
• Typical Film Types:
◦ LDPE: 0.5–1.0% addition for general packaging.
◦ BOPP: 0.8–1.5% for cigarette films and tape substrates.
◦ LLDPE: 0.3–0.8% for high-toughness films (Source: Shunqi Network).
2. Fibers & Masterbatches
• Fiber Modification: Prevents sticking in PP fibers (e.g., spunbond nonwovens), improving web uniformity.
• Functional Masterbatches: Blended with slip agents (e.g., oleamide) to create anti-blocking masterbatches for direct resin addition.
3. Other Industrial Uses
• Rubber Products: As a secondary reinforcing agent to enhance surface slip in silicone tubes and seals.
• Coatings & Inks: 0.5–1% addition improves anti-blocking in UV-curable coatings (Source: Eastmoney).
IV. Industry Advantages & Compliance
1. Performance Benefits
• Cost-Effective: 30–50% lower cost than fumed silica, ideal for large-scale industrial applications.
• Batch Consistency: PQ’s global manufacturing ensures reliable quality, minimizing production risks.
2. Regulatory Compliance
• Food Contact Safety: Complies with FDA 21 CFR §177.2420 (food packaging films) and EU EC No 10/2011 plastics regulations.
• Environmental Certifications: ISO 14001 certified, with production compliant with EU REACH.
3. Technical Support
• Customization: PQ offers particle size and surface treatment tailoring, plus masterbatch formulation optimization.
• Application Testing: Free samples provided for film blowing/casting trials to accelerate customer validation.
V. Usage Guidelines & Notes
1. Dosage Control:
◦ Typical loading: 0.5–1.5% (by resin weight). Excessive use may increase haze and requires formulation testing.
1. Dispersion Recommendations:
◦ Use twin-screw extruders or high-speed mixers to ensure uniform dispersion.
1. Storage:
◦ Store in dry, cool conditions; reseal after opening to prevent caking.
1. Competitive Comparison:
◦ vs. Diatomite: Superior particle uniformity, minimal impact on film mechanics.
◦ vs. Organic Slip Agents (e.g., erucamide): No migration risk, suitable for high-temperature applications.
VI. Case Studies
• Case 1: Food Packaging Film
◦ Customer Need: A PE film manufacturer required ≤8 N/15 mm opening force and ≥92% transmittance for food-grade cling film.
◦ Solution: 0.8% AB750 + 0.2% oleamide reduced opening force to 4 N/15 mm, with 91.5% transmittance, passing FDA certification.
• Case 2: Agricultural Film
◦ Customer Pain Point: Traditional mulch films suffered from adhesion, slowing field deployment and increasing tear rates.
◦ Improvement: 1.2% AB750 in LDPE films eliminated sticking, improved tensile strength by 10%, and extended service life by 15%.
VII. Procurement & Technical Inquiries
• Supply Channels: Contact PQ’s global distributors (e.g., Guangzhou Liby New Materials) for samples and technical support.
• Documentation: Available MSDS, TDS, and compliance certificates upon request.
• Competitor Reference: Comparable products include Evonik Aerosil® R972 (hydrophobic fumed silica) and Cabot CAB-O-SIL® LM-150 (hydrophilic fumed silica), but AB750 offers superior cost and dispersion advantages.
For tailored insights into AB750’s performance in specific processes, contact PQ’s technical team for customized testing.