PT25401 Additives and Compounding – Semester IV – Plastics – R-2025

Subject Code & Name: PT25401 – Additives and Compounding

Regulation: R-2025

Semester: IV (Fourth Semester)

Branch: B.Tech. Plastics Technology (Plastics)

Credits / L-T-P: 3 Credits | L-T-P: 3-0-0

Course Objectives

• Understand various draw backs of polymer materials and suitable remedies. understand various additives used in polymers understand the mechanism of degradation of polymers and chemistry of stabilizing additives understand various compounding methodologies for plastics materials Learn the housekeeping and maintenance of compounding machinery.

Full Unit-wise Syllabus

Unit I – Fillers/ reinforcements, stabilizers, pigments

Fillers and Reinforcement–Antioxidants- Thermal Stabilisers, Ultraviolet stabilizer–Impact Modifiers/ toughening agents. Colourants-Fire retardants-Coupling agents-blowing-agents.

Activities: Studying the effect of antioxidants and thermal stabilizers on plastics sample properties.

Unit II – Additives for processing

Plasticizers- Antistatic agents-Anti blocking agents-Slip and anti- slip agents-processing aids - Lubricants- mould releasing agents Additives for recycling.

Activities: Study of anti-blocking agents used to prevent sticking of plastic films.

Unit III – Fundamentals of compounding

Compounding-Selection of polymers and compounding-ingredients-general objectives- Merits and demerits of additives in polymer matrices. Mixing and mixing equipments. Compounding by batch mixer-High speed mixer-Two roll mill - Banbury Mixer - Ribbon blender - Planetary mixers.

Activities: Identification and comparison of different compounding ingredients/techniques used in plastics industry.

Unit IV – Compounding mechanisms

Compounding Machineries specifications - temperature control system – operating characteristics and working details of continuous mixers - - Single Screw extruder - Twin Screw extruder- maintenance of compounding machines.

Activities: Study of compounding section of plastics industry.

Unit V – Case studies

Case studies on preference of one plastics to other and co-relation of properties of conventional materials and blends and alloys - case studies on application of blends and alloys.

Activities: Study of real-life applications where blends and alloys are preferred over pure polymers.

Course Outcomes (COs)

• CO1: 7. R. Gachter and H. Muller, Plastics Additives Hand Book, Hanser Publishers, Understand the functions, classification, Munich, 1993. advantages, and limitations of additives used in plastic materials and their influence on product performance.
• CO2: Analyze various compounding techniques used for manufacturing thermoplastic and thermoset compounds and evaluate their impact on material properties and processing characteristics.

Assessment Pattern (Quick Note)

• Weightage: Continuous Assessment 40% | End Semester Examinations 60%
• Internal methodology: Assessment I (35%), Assessment II (35%), Activities (30%)

Source: Official Anna University – B.Tech. Plastics Technology R-2025 Syllabus
Last Updated: October 2026