Polyesters (PBT/PETG/APET)

Polyesters, like polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are semi-crystalline polymers exhibiting very attractive performance properties such as high heat stability and chemical resistance. However, because polyesters exhibit poor low temperature impact performance impact modifiers are needed.   Polyesters are often used in automotive applications, such as drive housings for electric window lifts and light conducting housings.  They are also used for many appliances, electrical and medical applications.

To meet industry requirements, these resins require improved impact performance at ambient or low temperatures.  For these applications, the use of impact modifiers is critical.

Benefits of Arkema's Lotader^® Technology
The low glass transition temperature (Tg) of Lotader^® CX8902 molding compound allows it to be used for low temperature applications.  Glycidyl methacrylate provides reactivity (versus OH, COOH groups), leading to improved dispersion during melt mixing with engineering thermoplastics.  Lotader^® CX8902 molding compound exhibits 100% ductility for PBT at -40ºC (and 100% ductility for CPET at -20ºC) with 20% loading.

Additionally, Lotader^® CX8902 achieves exceptional performance at significantly lower loading than with conventional modifier systems.  Due to its strong compatibilizing efficiency, Lotader^® CX8902 molding compound induces optimal dispersion in PC/PET blends and allows excellent impact strength even at -30ºC. 

Performance of Lotader^® CX8902 molding compounds in PBT:

Lotader^® CX8902 molding compound enables PBT to reach full ductility at -20ºC with 25% lower loading than conventional modifier systems (core shell or functionalized polyolefins).

Performance of Lotader^® CX8902 molding compounds in A-PET:

Lotader^® CX8902 molding compound provides outstanding performance at 20% loading which leads to 100% ductility at -20°C and a brittle energy above 20kJ/m² at -40°C.  In opaque food applications, Lotader^® CX8902 molding compound technology can allow APET to reach low temperature impact never reached before by conventional modifier systems.

Lotader^® CX molding compound technology as gloss reducer:

Most modifiers that are used as matting agents in polymeric systems have the negative effect of lowering impact strength.  In certain resins, especially PC/PBT and PC/PET, Lotader^® CX molding compound acts as an efficient matting agent while improving impact strength over most available matting agents on the market.  The level of gloss reduction can be controlled by the additional level of Lotader^® CX molding compound.