Process Additives

Balancing Properties and Processing in the Film Industry

From new polymers to complex blends, you may have tried them all. At DuPont Performance Elastomers, we've discovered "the clear choice" for producing high-clarity films, with improved processability, higher output, and reduced die build-up. Designed to eliminate melt fracture and improve processability, Viton® FreeFlow™ performs equally well in a variety of resins and blends. Whether you're a resin designer, compounder or converter, Viton® FreeFlow™ opens the door to new possibilities in processing linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and metallocene resins. You'll find that Viton® FreeFlow™ provides added insurance against poor quality films and processing problems with improved performance and processability. Defect-free film translates directly to your bottom line.

With Viton® FreeFlow™, the film is fracture-free Without Viton® FreeFlow™, the film is melt fractured Blown films made with and without Viton® FreeFlow™ additives are compared in the photos on either side. The film made from resin containing the fluoropolymer additive is transparent and fracture-free, while sharkskin melt fracture has caused the other film to become mottled and translucent.

How Our Additives Work

The new Viton® FreeFlow™ additives speed and smooth the extrusion process by coating the inside of the die with a microscopically thin, "non-stick" film (much like the Teflon® on a frying pan). This slippery coating reduces friction at the resin/die interface and allows the extrusion to flow freely and more rapidly through the die opening. Its non-stick properties also prevent the accumulation of resin particles at the die exit, eliminating the major cause of die build-up. The slippery film on the die surface is continuously renewed by the additive throughout the extrusion process.

With Viton® FreeFlow™ process aid, reduced die buildup. Without Viton® FreeFlow™ process aid, increased die buildup.

Powder or Pellet Form

Viton® FreeFlow™ SC and Viton® FreeFlow™ RC additives are supplied in granular powder form packaged in standard 25-kg sacks. If your feeding systems require pellets or other packaging options, contact your DuPont Performance Elastomers representative.