Hyperdispersants

Lubrizol hyperdispersants, sold under the Solplus^® and Solsperse^® brands, are plastic additives that are used to help solid particles such as color pigments, fillers, and flame retardants better disperse within a polymeric matrix. The dispersing agents separate the pigment agglomerates which are formed during the drying processes in pigment manufacture. As particle size is reduced, the surface area so created increases, leading to an improvement in properties.

Solplus and Solsperse hyperdispersants provide a wide range of benefits for thermosets and thermoplastics including increased color strength, greater productivity through reduced dispersion time, higher filler loadings, improved flame-retardant performance, and cost savings.

On the thermoplastic side, Solplus DP320 and DP330 Hyperdispersants are dry free-flowing powders for olefins and engineering thermoplastics while Solplus DP710 and DP720 Hyperdispersants are for PVC. Some products also comply with FDA food-contact regulations. For thermosets, the workhorse grade is Solplus D510 for dispersing of organic and inorganic particles. Solplus hyperdispersants improve dispersion of fillers, flame retardants, and reinforcements (fibers) in thermoset systems, as well as for organic and inorganic pigments in gel coats.

Under development are new products for more effective dispersion of non-halogenated flame retardants and also recycled plastics. These new grades would facilitate greater use of recycled plastics by compatibilizing the waste stream and maximizing the strength of individual polymers.