Abstract: Processing aids comprising amorphous particulate silicates containing from about 2% to about 50% water, are utilized in processes for compounding thermoplastic resins, allowing higher levels of additives to be more effectively incorporated into the thermoplastic resins. The processing aids allow greater dispersion of pigments and other additives in compounded thermoplastic resins and concentrates.
Abstract: Improved blowing agents for thermoplastic and thermoset polymers are disclosed which contain silicate based compounds containing from about 5 to about 40% water and which expand or intumesce when heated to at least about 5 times their initial volume, which blowing agents are highly effective, predictable, stable and microwave receptive, do not cause post-blow, and which also act as an initiator or accelerator for other organic blowing agents.