PVC Heat Stabilizer Ca/Zn Stearate Lead Based for PVC Extrusion Foam Board/Pipe

Properties and applications

The characteristics of calcium/zinc stabilised materials mean that they are widely used in many flexible and rigid PVC applications. This type of stabilising system can provide excellent organoleptic properties and outdoor weatherability to products which have a high degree of clarity and good mechanical and electrical properties. As a result, calcium/zinc stabilisers have been incorporated and established in a wide range of applications ncluding toys, healthcare products such as blood bags, semi-rigid and flexible foil for food packaging, bottles for drinking water, and drinking water pipes. As a result of the European PVC industry's commitment to substituting lead-based heat stabilisers, considerable development work has been carried out on new, improved systems for applications such as cable covering, pipe and window profile. Many of these newer forms of calcium/zinc stabiliser have been in commercial use for several years, and are in general more complex and expensive than the traditional soaps mainly because of the specialised co-stabilisers required to meet the specific requirements of certain applications. The rate of introduction of such stabilising systems was slowed down by the extensive evaluation work required and the need for acceptance by the specifier. In the sector of flexible foils where the main stabiliser used is a barium/zinc soap, substitution by calcium/zinc materials is also taking place although there are also technical issues which need to be overcome.