How to Precisely Match Antioxidant Solutions for Different Plastic Products?

Although plastics may appear sturdy and durable, they are in fact quite delicate.

From the feed hopper into the screw, where they are repeatedly squeezed and sheared, to high-temperature melting followed by extrusion, drawing, and forming into various products, and then to the finished goods sitting on shelves, exposed to daily sunlight and heat—oxygen and heat act like two relentless saboteurs, seizing every opportunity to break down the internal molecular chains. By the time you notice yellowing or brittleness with a simple snap, the molecular backbone inside has long been eroded beyond repair.

To tackle these two issues, we must rely on the antioxidant family.

This is never a matter of a single product covering all bases; the core lies in formulating a synergistic combination. Take the classic AO1010 + AO168 pairing, for instance—it is widely recognized as the industry's golden standard duo.

AO1010 is the cornerstone among primary antioxidants, belonging to the hindered phenol class. Its hallmark is "sacrificial protection"—it actively gives up its own structure to capture and neutralize active free radicals generated in the material under thermo-oxidative influence, directly interrupting chain degradation reactions. It is the core player that underpins the long-term service life of plastic products. AO168, on the other hand, is a representative of the phosphite class of secondary antioxidants, specializing in protection during high-temperature processing: when the material is repeatedly kneaded inside the screw at over 200°C, it specifically decomposes hydroperoxides that can easily trigger secondary degradation, thereby safeguarding the resin matrix from thermal damage.

One protects the material during processing while also reducing the depletion of the primary antioxidant; the other takes the lead after the product is formed, ensuring long-term aging resistance. This 1+1>2 synergistic effect is precisely the essence of antioxidant formulation.

Naturally, different plastics have distinct characteristics and face different aging challenges, so antioxidants must be tailored accordingly—one formula does not fit all.

For example, engineering plastics like nylon have high processing temperatures and are particularly sensitive to amines and metal ion impurities, making them prone to yellowing and discoloration inside the screw. In such cases, AO1098 is more suitable. Its molecular structure is better aligned with the polyamide system, effectively maintaining color stability and material fluidity during high-temperature processing.

For products that require resistance to water extraction or have stringent demands for whiteness and color accuracy, AO1520, a sulfur-containing hindered phenol, is the right choice. It serves a dual role, covering both primary and secondary antioxidant functions, offering high antioxidant efficiency while minimizing discoloration and yellowing.

For even harsher service conditions—such as high-temperature lubricant systems or rubber products subjected to long-term heavy loads—AO412S, a high-molecular-weight thioester, is called for. With extremely low volatility and strong high-temperature resistance, it firmly locks onto peroxides, preventing them from causing trouble within the system.

There is also GM (namely AO3052), specially designed for scenarios involving high filler loadings or the use of recycled materials. It effectively avoids the failure caused by filler adsorption of antioxidants, resolving the all-too-common embarrassment of "adding antioxidants yet still ending up with brittle materials.

For the industry's toughest challenges—high-end engineering plastics processing and severely high-temperature conditions—we offer two high-performance antioxidants that precisely address a wide range of difficult protection needs. AO1098 is a heat-resistant standout among hindered phenol primary antioxidants. Compared to conventional AO1010, it has a higher molecular weight and extremely low volatility. Its greatest advantage is that it does not easily volatilize or leach out during high-temperature processing, allowing it to remain stably within the material and continuously deliver its protective effect. This product is an excellent match for polyamide materials such as nylon 6 and nylon 66, and it is indispensable for critical high-temperature components like automotive engine-adjacent nylon parts and high-temperature-resistant wire and cable insulation layers. When used in combination with AO168, it builds a robust protective barrier for nylon products, effectively resisting the material damage caused by high temperature and thermo-oxidative aging over the long term.

PEPQ, on the other hand, is a premier special-grade product among phosphorus-based secondary antioxidants, with comprehensive performance far exceeding that of conventional additives. AO168, commonly used for general conditions, has limited high-temperature resistance and cannot cope with extreme scenarios. PEPQ features a unique P–C bond structure and higher phosphorus content, pushing thermal stability to the maximum—it remains undecomposed even in ultra-high-temperature environments up to 350°C. Moreover, it has broad compatibility, being suitable for polyolefins, polycarbonates, polyesters, nylons, elastomers, adhesives, and many other systems.

All of the above—AO1010, AO168, AO1098, AO1520, AO412S, AO GM (AO3052), and PEPQ—are stably produced and supplied by our company, Qingdao Yihoo Polymer Technology. Whether you are working with modified compounds, recycled materials, automotive nylon parts, or high-temperature engineering plastics, we offer one-stop supply solutions ranging from single agents to formulated blends. In plain terms, spending a little on the right antioxidant and choosing the right path can save you a great deal of trouble down the road—customer complaints, rework, or even claims. Selecting the correct type and formulating the right recipe is equivalent to giving your plastic products a solid quality insurance policy.

Want to know more? Please contactus at: yihoo@yihoopolymer.com. Besides the aforementioned high-performance nylon materials, we also offer various chemicalproducts such as light stabilizers, UVabsorbers, antioxidants, WPC-specific additives, nucleating agents, anti-static agents, matte polyurethane dispersions, etc. Welook forward to your inquiries!