Clearstrength E 920

IMPACT MODIFIER FOR

ENGINEERING RESINS

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

required.

Clearstrength E-920 is a general-purpose

methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) core-shell
impact modifier designed to impart excellent
ambient and cold temperature toughness to
engineering polymers. Clearstrength E-920 can
be used to formulate polycarbonate, polyesters
and polycarbonate/polyester blends for maximum
impact, with only a minor effect on other physical
properties.

Clearstrength E-920 is targeted for use in

painted
automotive
applications,
electrical/electronic components, appliances,
business machines, lawn and garden equipment,
and recreational vehicles where ease of
processing, thermal stability, excellent low
temperature impact and a good balance of
physical properties are important.

PRODUCT BENEFITS
Superior Low Temperature Impact The low
glass transition temperature (Tg) of Clearstrength
E-920s core allows it to be used for demanding
low temperature applications to create products
that can withstand -40 to 50 degrees Celcius and
still remain ductile.
Good Dispersion Clearstrength E-920 is
easily dispersed using conventional compounding
techniques. The resulting engineering plastic
compounds flow readily in molding equipment.
Balanced Property Control Clearstrength E920 impact modifiers have minimal effect on
other polymer properties.
SUGGESTIONS FOR USE

TYPICAL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Physical Form
Specific Gravity @ (23C)
Bulk Density
Particle Size
Percent Volatiles
THERMAL STABILITY
Thermal stability of Clearstrength E-920 during
high temperature processing (oxidative TGA)
and long-term stability (isothermal TGA,
270C, N2 environment).
Oxidative TGA1

Isothermal TGA2

5% Mass Loss 263C Mass Loss @ 5 min

10% Mass Loss 292C
1

Clearstrength E-920 impact modifier is

recommended for use in polycarbonate (PC),
polybutylene
terephthalate
(PBT)
and
polycarbonate blends with polybutylene
terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate
(PET), and poly (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)
(ABS) where superior low temperature impact
performance and excellent colorability are

White Powder
1.09
0.39 g/cc
2% on 20 mesh
less than 1.0%

Mass Loss @ 30
min

2.5%
4.6%

Heating rate: 10 C/min.

270 C

PACKAGING
Clearstrength E-920 is packaged in 16 kg (35pound) paper bags and 364 kg (800 pound) super
sacks.

Clearstrength E-920

Impact Modifier for Engineering Resins

PERFORMANCE TESTING POLYCARBONATE

Clearstrength E-920 exhibits good dispersion and interfacial adhesion leading to maximum impact
performance. The following AFM (atomic force microscopy) image (in phase mode) shows the
excellent dispersion of Clearstrength E-920 in polycarbonate.

Even at use levels as low as 5%, Clearstrength E-920 modifier has been shown to provide outstanding
low temperature impact while having a minimal effect on physical properties.
Effect of E-920 on Impact Behavior of Both Low and High Flow Polycarbonate
Impact Strength1 Impact Strength1
Resin
% Ductile
-10C
-40C
MFR
RT -10C -40C -50C
Failure
(kJ/m2)
(kJ/m2)
Polycarbonate

10.5

100

17

with 5% E-920

10.5

100

100

20

70

Polycarbonate

35

100

13

with 5% E-920

35

100

60

52

Notched Izod, ASTM D256 specifications

Clearstrength E-920

Impact Modifier for Engineering Resins

Effect of E-920 on Physical Properties of Polycarbonate (MFR 10.5)

Physical Properties

Yield
Stress2
(MPa)

Yield
Strain2
(%)

Break
Stress2
(MPa)

Break
Elongation2
(%)

Youngs
Modulus2
(MPa)

Melt Flow
Rate3
(g/10 min)

Polycarbonate

59

13

60

190

870

10.5

With 5% E-920

60

15

63

198

780

9.0

ASTM D638 specifications

ASTM D1238 specifications

Loading Studies of E920 in Low Flow Polycarbonate (10.5 MFR)

All tests performed according to ASTM D256 for notched Izod.

Effect of Loading
Izod Impact (kJ/m2)

100
80
60

PC - no IM
2% E920
5% E920
7% E920

40
20
0
-70

-20
Temperature (C)

30

Clearstrength E-920

Impact Modifier for Engineering Resins

Loading Studies of E920 in High Flow Polycarbonate (35 MFR)

All tests performed according to ASTM D256 for notched Izod.

Effect of Loading
Izod Impact (kJ/m2)

75

PC - no IM
2% E920
5% E920
7% E920

50
25
0
-30

-10
10
Temperature (C)

30

PERFORMANCE TESTING POLYBUTYLENE TEREPHTHALATE

Dispersion of E-920 in Polybutylene Terephthalate: The following AFM (atomic force microscopy)
image (in phase mode) shows the excellent dispersion of Clearstrength E-920 in polybutylene
terephthalate.

Clearstrength E-920

Impact Modifier for Engineering Resins

Izod Impact Strength versus Clearstrength E-920 Loading Clearstrength E-920 modifier provides
excellent low temperature impact to PBT. The following graph demonstrates how the loading of E-920 can
improve low temperature impact significantly.
Effect of E-920 on Impact Behavior of Polybutylene Terephthalate
Impact Strength1 @ -20C
% Ductile Failure RT -20C
(kJ/m2)
PBT

5.8

with 20% E-920

100

100

92

Notched Izod, ASTM D256 specifications

Effect of E-920 on Physical Properties of Polybutylene Terephthalate

Yield
Yield
Break
Break
Youngs
Physical Properties
Stress2
Strain2 Stress2 Elongation2
Modulus2
(% loading)
(MPa)
(%)
(MPa)
(%)
(MPa)
PBT (no IM)

58

10

34

191

830

with 20% E-920

41

11

29

224

650

ASTM D638 specifications

Effect of Loading
Izod Impact (kJ/m2)

120
100

PBT - no IM
10% E920
15% E920
20% E920
25% E920

80
60
40
20
0
-50

-30
-10
10
Temperature (C)

30

All tests performed according to ASTM D256 for notched Izod.

Clearstrength E-920

Impact Modifier for Engineering Resins

PERFORMANCE TESTING PC/PBT BLENDS

Clearstrength E-920 also shows good efficiency in various polyester blends such as PC/PBT. The
following table demonstrates E-920s excellent ductility at low temperatures. Notched Izod impacts
were determined in blends containing 15% impact modifier.
Effect of E-920 on Impact Behavior of PC/PBT (55/45) Blends
Impact Strength1 @ -50C
% Ductile Failure
RT -50C
(kJ/m2)

PC/PBT (no IM)

8.0

with 15% E-920

100

100

57

Notched Izod, ASTM D256 specifications

Effect of E-920 on Physical Properties of PC/PBT (55/45) Blends

Yield
Yield
Break
Break
Youngs
Physical Properties: Stress2 Strain2 Stress2 Elongation2
Modulus2
(MPa)
(%)
(MPa)
(%)
(MPa)
PC/PBT (no IM)

61

12

64

330

890

with 15% E-920

48

11

53

310

720

ASTM D638 specifications

Izod Impact (kJ/m2)

Effect of Loading

100
75

PC/PBT
10% E920
15% E920
20% E920

50
25
0
-70

-20
Temperature (C)

30

All tests performed according to ASTM D256 for notched Izod.

TECHNICAL SERVICE
ARKEMA offers complete technical service and
assistance to you in using Clearstrength E-920
MBS impact modifier. Our laboratories and
personnel are ready to assist you with any phase
of your evaluation from formulation development
to end product testing. For additional information
on Clearstrength E-920 please contact your
ARKEMA Account Manager.
TOXICOLOGY INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
Prolonged skin exposure to this product directly
or through contaminated clothing may lead to skin
irritation and/or dermatitis. This product may be
irritation to the eyes. The vapors given off by
Clearstrength E-920 may be pungent and
irritating to the respiratory system, especially if
permitted to accumulate in a closed area. The
product should be used with adequate ventilation
to protect employees and to avoid conditions,
which could cause a dust explosion. If adequate
ventilation is not available, a NIOSH approved
high efficiency (HEPA) dust respirator should be
used.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY
INFORMATION
BEFORE HANDLING THIS MATERIAL, READ AND
UNDERSTAND THE MSDS (MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND FOR
SAFETY,
HEALTH
AND
ENVIRONMENTAL
INFORMATION.

For Environmental, Safety & Toxicology

information, contact our Customer Service
Department at (800)446-2800 to request a
Material Safety Data Sheet. ARKEMA believes
strongly in Responsible Care as a Public
Commitment.

Clearstrength E-920 MBS modifier is a

polymeric resin which when released in the
environment does not present any particular
hazard.
SUGGESTED FIRST AID
In case of eye contact, immediately flush with
plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get
medical attention if irritation persists.
In case of contact, immediately flush the area with
plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothing
and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. Get
medical attention.
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If breathing is
difficult, get medical attention.
MORE TECHNICAL INFORMATION
AVAILABLE
Ask your ARKEMA Account Manager for further
information about other high quality ARKEMA
additives for use in engineering plastics, PVC
resins, PVC alloys, and other polymer systems.
ARKEMA produces a full line of heat stabilizers,
impact modifiers, process aids and epoxidized
vegetable oils.
In addition to its complete line of plastic additive
products, ARKEMAs Technical Service staff is
available to help compounders and processors
solve formulation and processing problems.
Thermolite Heat Stabilizers
Thermolite heat stabilizers are designed for use in
the production of rigid, semi-rigid, foamed, and
flexible PVC products. ARKEMA has developed
PVC heat stabilizers specifically for extruded

siding, profiles and pipe, injection molding, blow

molded bottles, and calendered or extruded sheet.
ARKEMA offers a full line of stabilizers that
meet FDA requirements for food grade PVC
packaging, and a full line of NSF approved
stabilizers for potable water PVC pipe & fittings.
Clearstrength & Durastrength Impact
Modifiers
Clearstrength and Durastrength impact modifiers
are designed to meet a wide variety of processing
requirements, from high efficiency modifiers for
durable, exterior automotive and building
applications to high clarity, crease resistant
products for packaging applications. ARKEMAs
impact modifiers provide engineering plastics and
PVC processors with cost effective performance
and lot-to-lot consistency.
Vikoflex Epoxy Plasticizers
The Vikoflex line of epoxy plasticizers offers
flexible PVC producers the highest quality, dualfunction epoxidized vegetable oils available.
ARKEMA has the ability to produce material with
exacting specifications to meet varied customer
requirements.
Plastistrength Process Aids
Plastistrength process aids offer producers of rigid
and flexible PVC greater product uniformity by
improving compound fusion and flow during
extrusion, injection molding and thermoforming.
Variances in wall thickness and surging can be
greatly minimized or eliminated with
Plastistrength process aids.

CONTACT
ARKEMA
Plastic Additives Technical Service
Quai Louis Aulagne, B.P.35
69191 Saint-Fons Cedex, France
tel : (+33) (0) 4 72 89 91 49
fax : (+33) (0) 4 72 89 93 01
ARKEMA, Inc.
Plastic Additives Technical Service
900 First Avenue
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 878-6658 (phone)
(610) 878-6260 (fax)
clearstrength.com (website)
clearstrength@arkemagroup.com (e-mail)
FOR ORDER INFORMATION CONTACT
ARKEMA (European Headquarter)
Plastic Additives Customer Service
4/8, cours Michelet - La Dfense 10
F-92091 Paris la Dfense Cedex, France
tel : (33) 01.49.00.88.02 - (33) 01.49.00.88.94
fax : (33) 01.49.00.88.10
ARKEMA, Inc.
Plastic Additives Customer Service
2000 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-3222
(800) 446-2800 (phone)
(215) 419-7875 (fax)
pladscustomerservice@arkemagroup.com (email)
VISIT US AT OUR WEBSITE
www.arkemagroup.com
Durastrength, Clearstrength, Plastistrength, Thermolite,
and Vikoflex are registered trademarks of ARKEMA.
Stavinor is a trademark of CECA S.A.

FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION