b uy rmance

Atmer anti-static
TM

R eason s t o erfo
t atic p ispersi
on Reduce static charge & minimise dust pick up
n ti-s
• Excellenrtaates for easier d
• Concent on know-how
• Applicati

At the heart of better plastics

 Atmer anti-static TM

Reduce static charge & minimise dust pick up

Croda Polymer Additives is well known for providing migratory
additives for a range of benefits which include slip, anti-fog and
anti-static. Croda’s long history of surfactant manufacture means
it is well placed to choose the best performing chemistries for
applications as varied as industrial moldings and retail packaging.
The Atmer range of anti-static additives is no exception with
many different technologies and physical forms being offered to
provide the required static reduction for different processes.
Croda’s additives can be used internally and externally to
reduce static either as short term anti-static additives or long
term anti-static additives.

Go to
Cr
see th oda Direct to
ef
Importance of anti-static additives www. ull video at
croda.c
A simple experiment inducing static charge on two films clearly shows one of the om/pa
problems caused by electrostatic build up during manufacture and processing of plastics.

Polyethylene film without anti-static additive Polyethylene film with inclusion of Atmer 129/163
Polystyrene balls stick to the underside of the charged surface. Static charge is dissipated by the anti-static agent so the polystyrene
Dust pick up affects both the appearance and performance of end balls are not picked up.
products and packaging.

2
Product range
Trade name Description Physical form Raw material Primary effect Recommended uses
at 25°C origin
Anti-static
Atmer 122 Glycerol ester Microbead Vegetable Anti-static (Internal) Polyolefins and flexible PVC
Lubrication/anti-stat balance
Atmer 125* Glycerol ester Microbead Vegetable Anti-static (Internal) LDPE and flexible PVC
Lubrication/anti-stat balance
Atmer 129 NV Glycerol ester Microbead Non-vegetable Anti-static (Internal) Polyolefins and flexible PVC
Atmer 129 Glycerol ester Microbead Vegetable Anti-static (Internal) Polyolefins and flexible PVC
Atmer 1012 Glycerol ester Pastille Non-vegetable Anti-static (Internal) Polyolefins and flexible PVC
Lubrication/anti-stat balance
Atmer 1013 NV Glycerol ester Pastille Non-vegetable Anti-static (Internal) Polyolefins and flexible PVC
Atmer 1013 Glycerol ester Pastille Vegetable Anti-static (Internal) Polyolefins
Atmer 110 Ethoxylated sorbitan ester Liquid Vegetable/Synthetic Anti-static (External) All polymers, particularly PET
Atmer 116 Ethoxylated sorbitan ester Liquid Vegetable/Synthetic Anti-static (External) All polymers, particularly PET
Atmer 154 Alkoxylated fatty acid ester Liquid Vegetable/Synthetic Anti-static (Internal) Flexible PVC
Atmer 163 Ethoxylated amine Liquid Synthetic Anti-static (External/ Polyolefins and styrenics
Internal)
Atmer 262† Ethoxylated amine Liquid Vegetable/Synthetic Anti-static (External/ Polyolefins and styrenics
Internal)
Atmer 190 Alkyl sulphonate Pastille Synthetic Anti-static (External/ HIPS, ABS, non-transparent rigid PVC
Internal)
Concentrates
Atmer 7001 50% concentrate Pellet Vegetable/Synthetic Anti-static Fast acting, long-lasting anti-static effect
in polypropylene
Atmer 7002 50% concentrate Pellet Vegetable Anti-static Recommended for PP closures for anti-
in polypropylene Mold release static and other mold release benefits
Atmer 7103 50% concentrate Pellet Vegetable/Synthetic Anti-static Mixture of additives to provide a
in polyethylene synergistic anti-static effect
Atmer 7105 50% concentrate Pellet Synthetic Anti-static Fast acting, long-lasting anti-static effect
in polyethylene
Atmer 7202 50% concentrate Pellet Non-vegetable Anti-static Highly effective in styrenics, not suitable
in polystyrene for transparent applications
Atmer 7300 50% concentrate Pellet Non-vegetable Anti-static Additional mold release benefits as well
in polyethylene as effective anti-static agent with wide
food approvals
Atmer 7306 40% concentrate Pellet Vegetable Anti-static Additional mold release benefits as well
in polypropylene as effective anti-static agent with wide
food approvals
Atmer 7325 30% concentrate in Pellet Non-vegetable/ Anti-static Mixture of additives to provide a
universal polyolefin carrier Synthetic synergistic anti-static effect

*Only available for supply in Asia †Only available for supply in India

Product physical forms

Atmer products are available in up to four physical forms. Please check with your local sales contact for availability in
your region.

d
Liquid Pastille Pellet Microbe a

3
 Static electricity in plastics Atmer anti-static agents
Most plastic materials are good insulators and have the Choosing an anti-static system can depend on a number
ability to support high static charge build up. This can be a of different considerations that should be reviewed when
particular problem for films which have large surface area selecting an Atmer additive.
to volume ratios.
Internal or external additive
Static electricity is produced by charge separation caused
The Atmer range has both internal and external additives.
by the movement of one material over another. Static build
Internal additives are incorporated directly into plastic
up can result in issues including:
materials during compounding and give a long-lasting
l Increased handling problems during transport, storage benefit. External additives are dissolved in an appropriate
and packaging solvent and are then applied by spraying a wet coating onto
l Dust attraction affecting both appearance and the surface, or by dipping depending upon the product and
performance of plastic products manufacturing process.
l Risk of electrical shock to employees working with the
plastics and consumers that use them
l Risk of electrical discharge causing fire or explosion

Migrating additives
Phase 3:
Phase 2: Moisture pick up from
Phase 1: Anti-static agent migrates the surrounding air
Homogeneous distribution to surface after extrusion
of anti-static agent during
the extrusion process
PP film

Longevity of action
Depending on the end application, Croda can offer anti-static additives that give short term or longer term benefits. Short
term anti-static benefits are useful when static resistance in processing and handling immediately after extrusion is required.
Long term anti-static benefits are beneficial for applications where protection against static build up in end use or in
storage are required.
Croda can also provide synergistic blends that give both short term and long term static resistance.

4
Applications
Polyolefins
Atmer 129 and Atmer 1013 are effective in all polyolefins,
Application Atmer 129/163 blend usage level
generating a fast build up of anti-static performance.
They improve demolding and have a synergistic effect with Film < 50 micron 0.15 - 0.25%
ethoxylated amines. The addition of a combination of Atmer
129 and Atmer 163 gives better anti-static effects than either Film > 50 micron 0.25 - 0.5%
used in isolation. Atmer 129 migrates to the surface rapidly
and causes an increased migration rate of Atmer 163. Molding 0.5 - 1.0%

Control Atmer 163 Control Atmer 163

Atmer 129 Atmer 129/163 blend Atmer 129 Atmer 129/163 blend

Figure 1: Long-term effect of anti-static additives in LDPE Figure 2: Long-term effect of anti-static additives in PP
(0.2% addition, 50µm film) (0.2% addition, 50µm film)

d y
Case Stu
Atmer 7325 delivers dust-free retail packaging
A producer of injection molded polypropylene screw
top jars was experiencing problems with dust pick-up on
personal care packaging. This seriously compromised the
high quality appearance of the glossy white retail package.
The dust pick-up was occurring in warehousing, where the
packages were being stored for a number months before
being placed upon supermarket shelves. Dust pick-up
continued to occur on shelf over the average three month
shelf-life of the product.
Croda recommended using Atmer 7325, an optimised and
easy to dose synergistic blend of short and long-term anti-
stats. The addition of Atmer 7325 enabled the producer to
minimise dust pick-up while in warehousing and then on
the shop floor.

5
 Applications
Styrenics
Atmer 163 is effective when used as an anti-static additive
in styrenics. It is recommended for use in transparent
applications giving relatively long-lasting anti-static benefits.
It shows excellent heat stability and improved colour
compared to other amines. Atmer 190 also shows long
term anti-static properties in styrenics. It demonstrates
excellent heat stability and is suitable for processing at
higher temperatures or where broad food contact approval
is needed. Atmer 190 is not recommended for transparent
applications.

Polymer Product & usage level

Clear PS Atmer 163, 1-2%
Control 1% Atmer 163 2% Atmer 163
SAN Atmer 163, 1-3% 1% Atmer 190 2% Atmer 190

HIPS Atmer 190, 2-3% Figure 3: Anti-static effect of Atmer 163 & 190 in High Impact
ABS Atmer 190, 2-4% Polystyrene (HIPS) at 1% and 2% additive

PVC
Atmer 129, Atmer 154 and Atmer 190 are all recommended
for use in PVC giving long-lasting anti-static effects. Atmer
190 is not recommended for use in transparent applications.

Fabrication process Product & usage level

Flexible PVC Atmer 129, 0.5-1 phr
Atmer 154, 1 phr
Rigid PVC Atmer 129, 4 phr
Atmer 190, 1 phr
phr = parts per hundred resin
Control Atmer 129 Atmer 154

Figure 4: Anti-static effect of Atmer 129 and Atmer 154 in flexible

Questions? PVC at 3 phr
To find out more about Croda products and
optimising anti-static performance please
contact your nearest regional office or visit
www.croda.com/pa

6
Potential problems with anti-static charge minimisation
Humidity: Irrespective of additive used, humidity has an impact on anti-static performance. At low humidity (<30% RH),
the anti-static performance will start to deteriorate rapidly as there is not enough water in the atmosphere to easily
form a conductive film with the anti-static on the surface.
Presence of other additives: Performance of anti-static additives can be affected by both inorganic fillers and pigments
which may adsorb the additive onto their surface, restricting migration of additive to the surface. Other migratory
additives such as slip and anti-fog may also compete at the surface and reduce the anti-static effect. It is important
to trial the additive system in a formulation representative of the final application, as addition levels may need to be
adjusted to give the correct balance of properties in the end product or application.
Other process variables which may affect anti-static performance are corona treatment, high winding tension and
laminated film layers. All of these variables can impact the migration properties of additives reducing the capability of
the additive to perform.

7
Further information
Croda sales and distribution are coordinated through an extensive worldwide network of associates
and agents. For details of your local representative please contact your nearest Croda regional office.
Visit our global website at www.croda.com/pa

Croda Europe Ltd Croda Inc, USA Croda Singapore

Tel +44 (0)1405 860551 Tel +1 732 417 0800 Tel +65 65519600
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Non-warranty:
The information in this publication is believed to be accurate and is given in good faith, but no representation or warranty as to its
completeness or accuracy is made. Suggestions for uses or applications are only opinions. Users are responsible for determining
the suitability of these products for their own particular purpose. No representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made
with respect to information or products including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose,
non-infringement of any third party patent or other intellectual property rights including, without limit, copyright, trademark and
designs. Any trademarks identified herein are trademarks of the Croda group of companies.
©2013 Croda Europe Ltd 03/13 BP004/3