Norner additive performance centre are experts in the use, testing and analysis of additives in plastic materials. We offer a wide range of laboratory capabilities which are presented below.
Additives are the key to deliver the required performance in many demanding applications. Polymer additives are therefore a very exciting R&D area leading to development of new applications of plastics.
Read more about other testing service areas.
Additives are the key to deliver the required performance in more demanding applications. Polymer additives are therefore a very exciting R&D area leading to development of new applications of plastics.
Our methods and equipment:
Norner additive team analyse the purity of several commercially available antioxidants. The results of AO1010 and P168 are described below.
The main purpose with antioxidants is to protect polymers during processing and end use.
Typical process-stabilisers are vitamin E, phosphites (phosphonites), hydroxyl amines, amine oxides and lactones and the typical performance test is multiple extrusions in a PP homopolymer. Unstabilised PP is preblended with additives, compounded under inert conditions followed by multiple extrusions under air atmosphere. MFI and yellowness index are measured after 0, 1st, 3rd and 5th extrusion.
Typical AO for end use is sterically hindered phenols, aromatic amines and sulfur based synergists (e.g. DSTDP). After compounding of agreed recipes, the PP based samples are injection moulded (1 mm test specimens) followed by oven ageing at 135 and 150 °C and time to degradation is measured.
We provide specialised methods for measuring of antistatic conditions.
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Certain additives (and pigments) may contain particles that can block screens used in production equipment. Especially within PP fibre production very fine screen packs are used to prevent blocking the hundreds of dies in a spinning machine.
Calcium stearate is the key acid scavenger used within polyolefins. In some grades the size and content of by-products such as calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate may lead to blocking the screen pack and extra work for the fibre producer.
Norner offers a test where 2.0% calcium stearate is mixed with 0.1% antioxidant and 97.9% PP powder. The PP powder is a very pure PP specially selected for filter test.
The normal test is using a screen pack with 1400 mesh (ca. 10-11 microns) as the finest screen. The filter test result is a measure of the pressure difference divided by kg of PP tested.
Some customers prefer a tougher test with 5 microns as the finest screen. Such test is also offered by Norner.
Additive qualification centre presents new methods for gas fading and friability.
With additives we can:
To be able to do this, we need tools, such as:
Some additive products have a tendency to break and crumble during transport.
Some polymers have a tendency to have discolouration due to reaction with NOxSources of NOx.
Nucleating agents are mostly used within PP and they offer many benefits such as reduced cycle time during injection moulding, improved mechanical properties, improved dimensional stability, increased heat deflection temperature (HDT) and in some cases improved optical properties.
Norner offers several tests, the tests are performed in PP random copolymer and/or PP homopolymer.
We offer:
The combination of slip- and antiblocking agents is mainly used within films. The slip agent secures smooth sliding of the film against metal rollers during production and also film against film. The antiblocking agent secures that is possible to open a bag that is squeezed flat.
Typical slip agents are unsaturated primary fatty acid amides like erucamide and oleamide. They will have a controlled migration to the surface of polyolefin films. Coefficient of Friction (CoF) is measured as function of time after film production.
Typical antiblocking agents (AB) are inorganic substances such as talc and silica. Specific particle size of such additives is selected to give a topography at the film surface; if the particles are too big, they puncture the film and if too fine they will not give the desired surface effect. Blocking force is measured after contact of 2 films at elevated temperature for a given time.
Aniblocking agents will contribute to haze and haze measurements are important to find the optimum AB candidate.
Norner compounding experts can determine the effect of processing and degradation of polymers on their final performance.
The project plan and specifications will be designed together with our customer in order to ensure appropriate results.
The main purpose with UV stabilisers (UV absorbers and HALS) is to protect a polymer for outdoor use.
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