Polymer Stabilizers - The Importance of
Additives in Plastics

Polymer
stabilizers are chemical additives that are added to plastic and polymer
products during manufacturing in order to improve stability and longevity
during processing, transportation, warehousing and end use. They help protect
polymers from various degradation mechanisms like heat, light, oxidation and
other environmental factors.



Thermal Degradation and Heat Stabilizers



One of the main reasons Polymer
Stabilizers need stabilization is to prevent thermal degradation. As
plastics are processed at high temperatures during molding or other forming
processes, they become vulnerable to chain scission - the breaking of chemical
bonds within polymer chains. This leads to reduced molecular weight and
deterioration of mechanical properties over time. Heat stabilizers prevent
these thermal degradation reactions. Common heat stabilizers used include
phosphite antioxidants, hindered phenol antioxidants and thioesters.



Light and UV Protection with UV Absorbers



Exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) radiation can also cause degradation
of plastics through photochemical processes. The high-energy UV photons can
disrupt polymer chains or form unstable radicals leading to cracks and
embrittlement. UV absorbers like benzophenones and benzotriazoles incorporated
into polymers absorb UV light selectively and dissipate the energy harmlessly,
preventing photo-oxidation. This extends the lifetime of plastics used in
outdoor applications.

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