Acrylic Processing Aid (ACR)

About This Product

An acrylic processing aid is a high molecular weight methacrylate copolymer added at a few parts per hundred resin. It dissolves into the PVC melt and raises its cohesive strength and elasticity. The effect is on fusion. PVC is processed as partially fused particles rather than a true homogeneous melt, and an acrylic processing aid accelerates the breakdown of those particle boundaries so gelation is more complete at a given temperature. A more fully fused melt has higher melt strength, which matters wherever the extrudate must support itself: in foam, where cells must not collapse; in blow moulding, where the parison must hang; and in calendering and thermoforming, where the sheet must stretch evenly. The visible benefit is surface quality, since incomplete fusion shows as roughness, poor gloss and die lines. The low molecular weight grade is supplied as a white free-flowing powder, 25 kg per drum, 1 MT per pallet, 10 MT per 20-foot container, and is used in rigid PVC to improve processability and surface quality. The available K series covers general purpose grades K-120P, K-125P and K-130P, lubricating grade K-175P and high molecular weight grade K-400P, supplied in 20 kg bags.