Clearstrength E 920 IMPACT MODIFIER FOR

ENGINEERING RESINS

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION required.

Clearstrength E-920 is a general-purpose Clearstrength E-920 is targeted for use in

methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) core-shell painted automotive applications,
impact modifier designed to impart excellent electrical/electronic components, appliances,
ambient and cold temperature toughness to business machines, lawn and garden equipment,
engineering polymers. Clearstrength E-920 can and recreational vehicles where ease of
be used to formulate polycarbonate, polyesters processing, thermal stability, excellent low
and polycarbonate/polyester blends for maximum temperature impact and a good balance of
impact, with only a minor effect on other physical physical properties are important.
properties.
TYPICAL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PRODUCT BENEFITS
Physical Form White Powder
Specific Gravity @ (23C) 1.09
Superior Low Temperature Impact The low
Bulk Density 0.39 g/cc
glass transition temperature (Tg) of Clearstrength
Particle Size 2% on 20 mesh
E-920s core allows it to be used for demanding
Percent Volatiles less than 1.0%
low temperature applications to create products
that can withstand -40 to 50 degrees Celcius and
still remain ductile. THERMAL STABILITY

Good Dispersion Clearstrength E-920 is Thermal stability of Clearstrength E-920 during

easily dispersed using conventional compounding high temperature processing (oxidative TGA)
techniques. The resulting engineering plastic and long-term stability (isothermal TGA,
compounds flow readily in molding equipment. 270C, N2 environment).

Balanced Property Control Clearstrength E-

920 impact modifiers have minimal effect on Oxidative TGA1 Isothermal TGA2
other polymer properties. 5% Mass Loss 263C Mass Loss @ 5 min 2.5%
Mass Loss @ 30
SUGGESTIONS FOR USE 10% Mass Loss 292C 4.6%
min
1
Heating rate: 10 C/min.
Clearstrength E-920 impact modifier is 2
270 C
recommended for use in polycarbonate (PC),
polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and PACKAGING
polycarbonate blends with polybutylene
terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate
Clearstrength E-920 is packaged in 16 kg (35-
(PET), and poly (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)
pound) paper bags and 364 kg (800 pound) super
(ABS) where superior low temperature impact
sacks.
performance and excellent colorability are
Clearstrength E-920 Impact Modifier for Engineering Resins

PERFORMANCE TESTING POLYCARBONATE

Clearstrength E-920 exhibits good dispersion and interfacial adhesion leading to maximum impact
performance. The following AFM (atomic force microscopy) image (in phase mode) shows the
excellent dispersion of Clearstrength E-920 in polycarbonate.

Even at use levels as low as 5%, Clearstrength E-920 modifier has been shown to provide outstanding
low temperature impact while having a minimal effect on physical properties.

Effect of E-920 on Impact Behavior of Both Low and High Flow Polycarbonate
Impact Strength1 Impact Strength1
Resin
% Ductile -10C -40C
MFR RT -10C -40C -50C
Failure (kJ/m2) (kJ/m2)
Polycarbonate 10.5 100 - 0 0 - 17
with 5% E-920 10.5 100 - 100 20 - 70

Polycarbonate 35 100 0 - - 13 -
with 5% E-920 35 100 60 - - 52 -
1
Notched Izod, ASTM D256 specifications
Clearstrength E-920 Impact Modifier for Engineering Resins

Effect of E-920 on Physical Properties of Polycarbonate (MFR 10.5)

Yield Yield Break Break Youngs Melt Flow
Physical Properties Stress2 Strain2 Stress2 Elongation2 Modulus2 Rate3
(MPa) (%) (MPa) (%) (MPa) (g/10 min)
Polycarbonate 59 13 60 190 870 10.5
With 5% E-920 60 15 63 198 780 9.0
2 3
ASTM D638 specifications ASTM D1238 specifications

Loading Studies of E920 in Low Flow Polycarbonate (10.5 MFR)

All tests performed according to ASTM D256 for notched Izod.

Effect of Loading
100
Izod Impact (kJ/m2)

80
60 PC - no IM
40 2% E920
5% E920
20
7% E920
0
-70 -20 30
Temperature (C)
Clearstrength E-920 Impact Modifier for Engineering Resins

Loading Studies of E920 in High Flow Polycarbonate (35 MFR)

All tests performed according to ASTM D256 for notched Izod.

Effect of Loading
75
Izod Impact (kJ/m2)

50 PC - no IM
2% E920
5% E920
25 7% E920

0
-30 -10 10 30
Temperature (C)

PERFORMANCE TESTING POLYBUTYLENE TEREPHTHALATE

Dispersion of E-920 in Polybutylene Terephthalate: The following AFM (atomic force microscopy)
image (in phase mode) shows the excellent dispersion of Clearstrength E-920 in polybutylene
terephthalate.
Clearstrength E-920 Impact Modifier for Engineering Resins

Izod Impact Strength versus Clearstrength E-920 Loading Clearstrength E-920 modifier provides
excellent low temperature impact to PBT. The following graph demonstrates how the loading of E-920 can
improve low temperature impact significantly.

Effect of E-920 on Impact Behavior of Polybutylene Terephthalate

Impact Strength1 @ -20C
% Ductile Failure RT -20C
(kJ/m2)
PBT 0 0 5.8
with 20% E-920 100 100 92
1
Notched Izod, ASTM D256 specifications

Effect of E-920 on Physical Properties of Polybutylene Terephthalate

Yield Yield Break Break Youngs
Physical Properties
Stress2 Strain2 Stress2 Elongation2 Modulus2
(% loading)
(MPa) (%) (MPa) (%) (MPa)
PBT (no IM) 58 10 34 191 830
with 20% E-920 41 11 29 224 650
2
ASTM D638 specifications

Effect of Loading
120
Izod Impact (kJ/m2)

100
PBT - no IM
80 10% E920
60 15% E920
40 20% E920
20 25% E920
0
-50 -30 -10 10 30
Temperature (C)
All tests performed according to ASTM D256 for notched Izod.
Clearstrength E-920 Impact Modifier for Engineering Resins

PERFORMANCE TESTING PC/PBT BLENDS

Clearstrength E-920 also shows good efficiency in various polyester blends such as PC/PBT. The
following table demonstrates E-920s excellent ductility at low temperatures. Notched Izod impacts
were determined in blends containing 15% impact modifier.

Effect of E-920 on Impact Behavior of PC/PBT (55/45) Blends

Impact Strength1 @ -50C
% Ductile Failure RT -50C
(kJ/m2)
PC/PBT (no IM) 0 0 8.0
with 15% E-920 100 100 57
1
Notched Izod, ASTM D256 specifications

Effect of E-920 on Physical Properties of PC/PBT (55/45) Blends

Yield Yield Break Break Youngs
Physical Properties: Stress2 Strain2 Stress2 Elongation2 Modulus2
(MPa) (%) (MPa) (%) (MPa)
PC/PBT (no IM) 61 12 64 330 890
with 15% E-920 48 11 53 310 720
2
ASTM D638 specifications

Effect of Loading
100
Izod Impact (kJ/m2)

75 PC/PBT
10% E920
50
15% E920
25 20% E920

0
-70 -20 30
Temperature (C)
All tests performed according to ASTM D256 for notched Izod.
TECHNICAL SERVICE
ARKEMA offers complete technical service and
assistance to you in using Clearstrength E-920
MBS impact modifier. Our laboratories and
personnel are ready to assist you with any phase
of your evaluation from formulation development
to end product testing. For additional information
on Clearstrength E-920 please contact your
ARKEMA Account Manager.
TOXICOLOGY INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
Prolonged skin exposure to this product directly
or through contaminated clothing may lead to skin
irritation and/or dermatitis. This product may be
irritation to the eyes. The vapors given off by
Clearstrength E-920 may be pungent and
irritating to the respiratory system, especially if
permitted to accumulate in a closed area. The
product should be used with adequate ventilation
to protect employees and to avoid conditions,
which could cause a dust explosion. If adequate
ventilation is not available, a NIOSH approved
high efficiency (HEPA) dust respirator should be
used.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY
INFORMATION
BEFORE HANDLING THIS MATERIAL, READ AND
UNDERSTAND THE MSDS (MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND FOR
SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL
INFORMATION.
For Environmental, Safety & Toxicology
information, contact our Customer Service
Department at (800)446-2800 to request a
Material Safety Data Sheet. ARKEMA believes
strongly in Responsible Care as a Public
Commitment.
Clearstrength E-920 MBS modifier is a
polymeric resin which when released in the
environment does not present any particular
hazard.
SUGGESTED FIRST AID
In case of eye contact, immediately flush with
plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get
medical attention if irritation persists.
In case of contact, immediately flush the area with
plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothing
and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. Get
medical attention.
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If breathing is
difficult, get medical attention.
MORE TECHNICAL INFORMATION
AVAILABLE
Ask your ARKEMA Account Manager for further
information about other high quality ARKEMA
additives for use in engineering plastics, PVC
resins, PVC alloys, and other polymer systems.
ARKEMA produces a full line of heat stabilizers,
impact modifiers, process aids and epoxidized
vegetable oils.
In addition to its complete line of plastic additive
products, ARKEMAs Technical Service staff is
available to help compounders and processors
solve formulation and processing problems.
Thermolite Heat Stabilizers
Thermolite heat stabilizers are designed for use in
the production of rigid, semi-rigid, foamed, and
flexible PVC products. ARKEMA has developed
PVC heat stabilizers specifically for extruded
siding, profiles and pipe, injection molding, blow
molded bottles, and calendered or extruded sheet.
ARKEMA offers a full line of stabilizers that
meet FDA requirements for food grade PVC
packaging, and a full line of NSF approved
stabilizers for potable water PVC pipe & fittings.
Clearstrength & Durastrength Impact
Modifiers
Clearstrength and Durastrength impact modifiers
are designed to meet a wide variety of processing
requirements, from high efficiency modifiers for
durable, exterior automotive and building
applications to high clarity, crease resistant
products for packaging applications. ARKEMAs
impact modifiers provide engineering plastics and
PVC processors with cost effective performance
and lot-to-lot consistency.
Vikoflex Epoxy Plasticizers
The Vikoflex line of epoxy plasticizers offers
flexible PVC producers the highest quality, dual-
function epoxidized vegetable oils available.
ARKEMA has the ability to produce material with
exacting specifications to meet varied customer
requirements.
Plastistrength Process Aids
Plastistrength process aids offer producers of rigid
and flexible PVC greater product uniformity by
improving compound fusion and flow during
extrusion, injection molding and thermoforming.
Variances in wall thickness and surging can be
greatly minimized or eliminated with
Plastistrength process aids.
FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION
CONTACT
ARKEMA
Plastic Additives Technical Service
Quai Louis Aulagne, B.P.35
69191 Saint-Fons Cedex, France
tel : (+33) (0) 4 72 89 91 49
fax : (+33) (0) 4 72 89 93 01
ARKEMA, Inc.
Plastic Additives Technical Service
900 First Avenue
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 878-6658 (phone)
(610) 878-6260 (fax)
clearstrength.com (website)
clearstrength@arkemagroup.com (e-mail)
FOR ORDER INFORMATION CONTACT
ARKEMA (European Headquarter)
Plastic Additives Customer Service
4/8, cours Michelet - La Dfense 10
F-92091 Paris la Dfense Cedex, France
tel : (33) 01.49.00.88.02 - (33) 01.49.00.88.94
fax : (33) 01.49.00.88.10
ARKEMA, Inc.
Plastic Additives Customer Service
2000 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-3222
(800) 446-2800 (phone)
(215) 419-7875 (fax)
pladscustomerservice@arkemagroup.com (e-
mail)
VISIT US AT OUR WEBSITE
www.arkemagroup.com
Durastrength, Clearstrength, Plastistrength, Thermolite,
and Vikoflex are registered trademarks of ARKEMA.
Stavinor is a trademark of CECA S.A.