Compounding and reactive processing of polymers

Abstract

Polymer compounding is an engineering process by which a compound is obtained through proper selection/formulation of ingredients such as reinforcing agents and additives and optimal mixing of the ingredients with the base polymer. Reactive polymer processing signifies that chemical reactions are carried out on purpose and in a controlled manner during polymer processing such as extrusion or in processing equipment like extruders. Sometimes chemical reactions are introduced to compounding operations. Such an operation is called reactive compounding. Today, these processes have established a solid position in the polymer industry as post-reactor technologies and have the common goal of diversifying and/or upgrading existing polymers with reduced costs. They may also allow novel polymer materials to be obtained that could not be made otherwise or in a reasonable fashion.