Plastics can degrade over time because of a process called autoxidation, which gets worse when metals are present. Metals act like catalysts, speeding up the formation of harmful radicals that break down the polymer. To stop this, we add metal deactivators compounds that bind to the metal ions and block their catalytic activity.

Why They are important:

• Fillers and pigments often contain metals, which can accelerate thermal degradation in plastics.
• Metal deactivators greatly improve thermal stability, even when only small amounts are used.
• ADEKA products, like CDA-1 or CDA-6, show excellent results in preventing degradation in polypropylene (PP) and composites.

Many metal deactivators don’t mix well with polymers, which helps them work at the metal interface but can cause issues like poor dispersion, surface defects, or contamination during molding. Choosing the right type and amount of metal deactivator is crucial for good performance and appearance.

Metal deactivators protect plastics from heat and oxidation by neutralizing metals that accelerate degradation, making them essential for durable, high-quality materials.

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