Choosing the Right Polymer Additives (Part 2)

The Effects of Fillers

Fillers are additives incorporated into a plastic to improve a desired property or reduce cost without diminishing desired properties. Most commonly they are used to increase stiffness, tensile strength, and impact resistance. However, certain fillers may bring about improved electrical properties, thermal properties, or chemical resistance. Fillers are generally inorganic such as natural and synthetic minerals, metals, or glass. Less frequently, organic fillers like aromatic polyamide fibers are used to improve mechanical or physical properties. Fillers may be divided into one of two groups, fibrous or particulate.