PVC is now used in a wide number of areas, from standard technical products to special medical applications. This development would never have been possible without the use of appropriate stabilizers which protect PVC from decomposition when exposed to heat or light. Probably the most important class of the stabilizers are metallic soaps. Metallic soaps not only have excellent stabilizing properties, they are also good lubricants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metallic soaps

 

 

LIGA CALCIUMSTEARAT 600

This stearate is characterized by its slightly alkaline nature and low electrolyte content.These features provide remarkably better stabilization in comparison to neutral stearates. Calcium stearate is widely used in the manufacture of non-toxic stabilizers,in many cases in conjunction with zinc stearate. It is dosed in quantities of between 0.2 and 0.6 phr. Calcium stearate is approved by the BfR (i.e. Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung or Federal Institut for Risk Assessment). It is used mainly for the manufacturing of foils in the production of profiles, tubes and cables.

 

LIGA CALCIUMSTEARAT 600 G

Low-dust version of LIGA CALCIUMSTEARAT 600 that offers good dosing and handling properties.

 

 

LIGA ZINKSTEARAT 101/6

LIGA ZINKSTEARAT 101/6 is especially suitable for use as a stabilizer for PVC in connection with calcium or barium stearate. It has good colour properties and highinitial stability. This product offers high free-flowing abilities and can be dosed easily. Zinc stearate is approved for use in the manufacture of food contact materials, made of PVC, in accordance with the recommendations of the BfR.

 

 

LIGA ZINKSTEARAT 104 G

Low-dust version of LIGA ZINKSTEARAT 101/6. Due to the uniform grain-structure LIGA ZINKSTEARAT 104 G shows good free-flowing and dosing properties.

 

 

LIGA BARIUMSTEARAT

Barium stearate in combination with zinc stearate is used as a stabiliser of plasticized PVC.

 

 

LIGA MAGNESIUMSTEARAT techn. 

Magnesium stearate can also be used in non-toxic stabilizers as a partial replacement for calcium stearate. It is approved for use by the BfR. It has slightly better solubilityin PVC compared to calcium stearate.

 

 

LIGA CALCIUMLAURAT
LIGA ZINKLAURAT
LIGA BARIUMLAURAT

Calcium, barium and zinc are also offered as laurates. Compared to stearates, these compounds provide much better stabilization due to their higher metal content. Their high solubility in PVC means they are less likely to plate out, which is particularly advantageous in the case of barium laurate.

 
 

LIGASTAB ZN 108 

Zinc salts of short-chain fatty acids. Good stabilization properties as the metal contentis higher compared to the laurates. The floating properties are less distinctive than of laurates and stearates.

 

 

 

Lubricants 

 

 

Lubricants are just as indispensable as additives in the manufacture of PVC as stabilizers. Lubricants are usually based on straight-chain hydrocarbons with different functional groups. The properties for technical applications vary depending on the ratio between the two components. A distinction is made between internal and external lubrication. Internal lubricants are clearly polar and reduce the friction between the individual PVC chains. This results in a reduction in the viscosity of the melted PVC, fine transparencyand a low tendency to plate out. External lubricants reduce the friction between the plastics (polymers) and the tool surface. This improves the quality of the surface of the plastics. However, this usually leads to an increase in the melting time. By nature, the materials are more prone to the plate out effect.
It should also be noted that most lubricants cannot be definitively assigned to either one of these groups – many of them fall somewhere in between.

 

 

LIGALUB SH

Lubricant with external lubrication properties based on special carbonic acids. LIGALUB SH is a free flowing powder, which reduces stickiness. It is suitable for use with both unplasticized and plasticized PVC. LIGALUB SH is also appropriate for transparent applications. BfR approved.

 

 

LIGALUB 10 GE

Liquid, internal lubricant based on a glycerine partial ester. This product is suitable for all forms of processing and is very soluble in PVC. It improves the surface lustre and dispersibility of pigments. BfR approved.

 

 

LIGALUB 11 GE

Partial ester of glycerine, mainly used as an internal lubricant for extrusion of unplasticized PVC. BfR approved.

 

 

LIGALUB GT

LIGALUB GT is an external lubricant for application in PVC processing. It improves the flow-characteristics of the mass.

 

 

LIGALUB 36 FE

Universal, free-flowing sprayed lubricant. This neutral ester wax is readily soluble, improves viscosity and reduces the stickiness of PVC. BfR approved.

 

 

LIGALUB FAE

Internal sprayed lubricant based on a di-carbonic acid ester. This product is extremely soluble in PVC and is especially suitable for manufacturing complex injection-moulding parts or profiles made of unplasticized PVC. LIGALUB FAE has no adverse affects onmelting.

 

 

LIGALUB 45 ITD

LIGALUB 45 ITD is an internal lubricant for easy processing of plasticized and unplasticized PVC. It is suitable for transparent applications and improves the surface properties. The distribution of pigments is improved due to its dispersing effect. LIGALUB 45 ITD is compatible with nearly all stabilizing systems.

 

 

LIGALUB 80 MEG 

Lubricant with internal and external lubrication properties for the processing of unplasticized PVC. Compared to LIGALUB 36 FE, the internal lubrication effect is pronounced. Good compatibility with other external lubricants and suitable with most of the stabilizing systems.

 

 

LIGALUB 55 PE 

is a highly compatible inner lubricant for the processing of unplasticized PVC like foils and bottles. It has synergetic properties besides the alkaline leadsulfate-stabilizers and calcium-zinc-stabilizers.

 

 

LIGALUB 70 KE 

This high molecular complex ester is an external lubricant with high separating properties, mainly for the production of unplasticized PVC-calander-foils. Due to its high compatibility this product is suitable for transparent application. Other thermoplastic plastics like PU and polyamide can be demoulded by LIGALUB 70 KE at higher temperatures. This allows more efficient production.

 

 

LIGALUB 71 KE 

is an external lubricant with separating properties. It is suitable for the application in plasticized and unplasticized PVC and pastes. Despite its high separating properties this ester shows a good compatibility.

 

 

LIGALUB 74 KE 

is an external lubricant for the processing of unplasticized PVC. It shows high separating properties and reduces the stickiness of the PVC mass. It exhibits only limited compatibility with plasticized PVC.