Plasticizers

A plasticizer is an organic liquid or solid that is incorporated in a compatible polymer to soften it and make it more workable. The use of these products can decrease the glass transition temperature and hardness while increasing elongation and impact strength. In hot melt adhesives the use of the correct plasticizer will help to reduce viscosity. In latex adhesives, plasticizers can be used to decrease set time and increase open time and wet tack.

  Processing Aids

Vanderbilt processing aids help reduce compound plasticity while improving mold flow and release. These materials have little effect on physical properties.

  Surfactants/Dispersing Agents

DARVAN^® surfactants are processing aids useful in the manufacture of elastomeric latex products. They are water-soluble, which allows for easy incorporation into latex compounds. Many of the problems encountered during the compounding and processing of latex, such as inferior mechanical stability and surface striations, are easily resolved by using DARVAN surfactants.

DARVAN dispersing agents assist in increasing the fluidity of aqueous suspensions of most powders by decreasing inter-particle attraction. Vanderbilt offers a wide variety of dispersing agents that are extremely effective in most applications.