To enhance rate of crystallization to make polymer more stiff and reduce cycle time of production.
Nucleating & Clarifying agent – Trigon , Germany
Nucleating agents are widely used to modify the properties of various polymers. It increase the rate of crystallization and make the size of the crystals more smaller and homogeneity , this will consequently have strong impact on the mechanical and optical properties after conversion of the Polymer, especially (but not exclusive) in Polypropylene.
The addition of nucleating agents to the semi-crystalline polymers provides a faster crystal growth and also more homogeneity crystal shape and size. As a result of shorter cycle times and increase the Mechanical properties like flexural modulus, strength, heat distortion temperature and hardness. The clarity and transmittance will improve but not much since Nucleating agents mainly are Inorganic type. Whereas there is also the Organic type of Nucleating agent which can enhance the optical property and being used as clarifying agents.