FreeFlow

Fluoroelastomers™

A Guide for Masterbatch
Preparation and HandlingTechnical Information
Introduction
The product line for Viton™ FreeFlow™ consists of an arrayof polymer process aids designed to meet the needs ofthe polyolefin industry. The following guide is intended tohelp those handling Viton™ FreeFlow™ in its pure, undiluted
form to safely transform the products into effective
masterbatch or finished resin compositions.
Preparing Effective Viton™ FreeFlow™ Masterbatch
All fluoropolymer process aids function most effectively
when, in the final application, the fluoropolymer particlesentering the die are in the range of about 2–10 microns
in diameter. The degree of dispersion generated duringcompounding a Viton™ FreeFlow™ masterbatch, therefore,
can negatively affect performance if the process aid is
too highly dispersed, allowing the fluoropolymer particles
to become smaller than 2 microns.
The dispersion of Viton™ FreeFlow™ masterbatch tends toincrease as:• Process aid concentration decreases• Viscosity of the host resin increases• Compounding temperature increases• Mixing energy per unit mass of masterbatch increases
In most masterbatches containing more than about 4%
Viton™ FreeFlow™, the fluoroelastomer particles will belarger than 2 microns. When diluted and further processedin the final extrusion application, however, process aids
are prone to further dispersion—thereby, losing much of
their effectiveness.
Conventional first-generation process aids have been
designed for easy dispersion, and the following Viton™
FreeFlow™ product families fall into this category:
Viton™ FreeFlow™ 10, 40, GB, SC, RC

Using these conventional Viton™ FreeFlow™ types,
reducing the dispersion generated during compounding
may not produce noticeable improvements in process aid
performance, as these products readily disperse when let
down into the final extrusion process.
To overcome this limitation, Chemours has developed
Viton™ FreeFlow™ Z Technology™ and introduced uniqueand proprietary process aids (i.e., Z100, Z110, Z200, andZ210) that have been designed to resist over-dispersion,and are, therefore, ideal for high mixing applications suchas, but not limited to, film, and pipes extrusion using low
melt index or fractional melt LLDPE, and HDPE, or inabrasive mixtures containing high levels of mineral fillersor pigments. As a result, masterbatches made from
Viton™ FreeFlow™ Z Technology™ process aids may appear
to be “undispersed” when compounded using the sametechniques used for conventional process aids. In mostcases, the additional mixing that occurs when the process
aid is diluted in the final extrusion step will bring thedispersion of the Z Technology™ process aid into the ideal
2–10 micron size range needed for optimal performance.
When properly dispersed, Z Technology™ process aids canbe used at the level of conventional process aids, whileproviding more reliable performance across a range offormulations and process conditions.
In certain instances, a very coarsely dispersed Z
Technology™ masterbatch may cause imperfections in
an extrudate caused by fluoroelastomer particles thatare too large. In these situations, following the guidelines
above can increase dispersion during masterbatch
production. Special note should be taken not to rely solely
on melt index as an indication of host resin viscosity,
because highly shear thinning resins, such as LDPE,
generate less mixing than more Newtonian polymers like
LLDPE. In general, masterbatches of Viton™ FreeFlow™
Z Technology™ process aids intended to be used directlyViton™ FreeFlow™

Fluoroelastomers

without an intermediate extrusion step (e.g., addition toa pelletizing extruder during resin production) should be
produced using the following guidelines:

excellent resistance to thermal and oxidative degradation,
always maintain good ventilation in areas where molten
polymers are processed and minimize exposure to hightemperatures. Do not allow Viton™ FreeFlow™ that has
been degraded by excessive heat to directly contact skin.

• Maximum 4% Z Technology™ process aid concentration• Carrier resin of 5 melt index or less, LLDPE, blend ofrich LLDPE/LDPE, HDPE for the Z200 and Z100
• Carrier resin of 10 melt index or less, LDPE, blend of
LLDPE/LDPE, PP, EVA for the Z210
• Carrier resin of 10 melt index or less, LDPE, blend of
LLDPE/LDPE for the Z110
• Compounding equipment capable of positive conveying
and high intensity mixing recommended
Handling and Processing Safety
Recommended handling practices include:• Avoid direct contact with skin or eyes. Rinse or wash
affected areas.
• Certain Viton™ FreeFlow™ grades are powders; ifairborne, these may become nuisance dust or explosion
hazards.
• The melting point of components in some gradesof Viton™ FreeFlow™ may be as low as 55–60 °C(131–140 °F). Store in a dry environment below
40 °C (104 °F).
• Viton™ FreeFlow™ typical shelf life of 4 years, undernormal storage conditions – dry, unopened, temperature
below 27 °C (81 °F).
All Viton™ FreeFlow™ products contain fluoropolymers,
which may release hydrogen fluoride (HF) if heated
above 300 °C (572 °F). While fluoropolymers possess

Certain Viton™ FreeFlow™ products, such as RC, Z100
and Z110, contain polyethylene glycol (PEG). Due to therelatively low thermal stability of PEG, special care should
be taken when producing Viton™ FreeFlow™ masterbatches
containing high levels of PEG (greater than 2%). Duringcompounding, maintain process temperatures below
190 °C (374 °F), and cool pellets below 40 °C (104 °F)
before pack-out. The decomposition of PEG is exothermicand may become self-supporting if large containers arepacked when the pellet temperature is too high. The autodecomposition of PEG depends strongly on the levels ofPEG, antioxidant, and acidic residuals (e.g., unneutralizedcatalyst residues) in the product. In addition to reducing
the PEG level, ensuring that the final compound isadequately stabilized and neutralized (by adding
antioxidants and/or acid scavengers) minimizes the risk
associated with PEG decomposition. For typical end-use
extrusion applications in which the PEG level in a wellstabilized formula is less than 2%, process temperatures
should be maintained below 230 °C (446 °F).
For more information on handling and process safety,
refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the specificViton™ FreeFlow™ product in use.
For more information about compounding and using
Viton™ FreeFlow™ process aids, contact your Technical
Service Representative.

For more information, visit Viton.com
The information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and based on technical data that Chemours believes to be reliable. It is intended for use by persons having technical skill, at their own
discretion and risk. The handling precaution information contained herein is given with the understanding that those using it will satisfy themselves that their particular conditions of use present
no health or safety hazards. Because conditions of product use are outside our control, Chemours makes no warranties, express or implied, and assumes no liability in connection with any useof this information. As with any material, evaluation of any compound under end-use conditions prior to specification is essential. Nothing herein is to be taken as a license to operate under or arecommendation to infringe any patents.
NO PART OF THIS MATERIAL MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING OR OTHERWISEWITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF CHEMOURS.

© 2016 The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Viton™, FreeFlow™, and any associated logos are trademarks or copyrights of The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Chemours™ and the Chemours
Logo are trademarks of The Chemours Company.
Replaces: VFE-A10281-00-E0712
C-10983 (8/16)