Plastic products contain a wide variety of common additives, which can primarily be categorized into the following major types based on their functions:

Additives to Improve Processing Performance

These additives are designed to optimize the plastic molding and processing, including lubricants, mold release agents, stabilizers, processing aids, thixotropic agents, plasticizers, and more. For instance, lubricants can reduce friction between the melt and equipment, enhancing flowability.

Additives to Enhance Mechanical Properties

Used to enhance the mechanical strength or toughness of plastics, such as plasticizers, reinforcing fillers, toughening agents, and impact modifiers. Plasticizers (like phthalates) can significantly improve the flexibility and elongation properties of plastics.

Additives to enhance optical performance

Including pigments, dyes, nucleating agents, optical brighteners, and more—these are used to impart color to plastics or adjust their transparency.

Additives to Improve Aging Performance

Used to extend the lifespan of plastics, such as antioxidants, light stabilizers, fungicides, and mildew inhibitors. Antioxidants help slow down the degradation of plastics caused by oxidation.

Additives for improving surface performance

Such as antistatic agents, slip agents, and abrasion-resistant additives, these can adjust the friction, conductivity, and other properties of plastic surfaces. Antistatic agents help prevent the buildup of static electricity.

Other functional additives

These include foaming agents, flame retardants, coupling agents, and more. Coupling agents can enhance the interfacial bonding between the resin and the filler, improving dispersion.

It is important to note that certain additives—such as some plasticizers—may pose potential risks to human health, so they should be used with caution.