Modern plastic products are expected to maintain performance for years, even under demanding conditions.

Automotive components, electrical parts, packaging materials, household products, and industrial plastics are continuously exposed to:

Heat
Oxygen
Mechanical stress
UV radiation
Long-term storage conditions

Without proper stabilization, polymer chains gradually break down through oxidation.

The result can include:

Brittleness
Loss of impact strength
Yellowing
Surface cracking
Reduced product lifetime

For this reason, polymer manufacturers rely on high-performance antioxidants.

Among all hindered phenolic antioxidants, Antioxidant 1010 is one of the most widely used long-term thermal stabilizers in the plastics industry.

It is especially valued because of:

Excellent heat aging resistance
Low volatility
Low migration
Good compatibility
Long-lasting protection

For manufacturers selecting antioxidant additives, understanding the technical characteristics of Antioxidant 1010 is essential for improving product reliability and reducing formulation risks.

1. What Is Antioxidant 1010?

Antioxidant 1010 is a high molecular weight hindered phenolic antioxidant designed to protect polymers against oxidative degradation.

It belongs to the primary antioxidant family.

Primary antioxidants work by:

Capturing free radicals
Interrupting oxidation chain reactions
Protecting polymer molecular structures

Unlike simple phenolic antioxidants, Antioxidant 1010 has a large molecular structure, which provides excellent durability inside polymer matrices.

Basic Chemical Information

Chemical Name:

Pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate)

CAS Number:

6683-19-8

Chemical Type:

Hindered phenolic antioxidant

Appearance:

White crystalline powder

Molecular Formula:

C73H108O12

Application Category:

Polymer stabilization additive

2. Why Antioxidant 1010 Is Important for Plastic Manufacturing

During plastic processing, polymers are exposed to high temperatures.

Common processes include:

Extrusion
Injection molding
Blow molding
Fiber spinning
Recycling

Temperatures can exceed 200–300°C depending on polymer type.

At elevated temperatures, oxygen attacks polymer chains.

The oxidation process generates free radicals.

These radicals create a self-accelerating degradation cycle.

Antioxidant 1010 slows this reaction by donating hydrogen atoms from its phenolic structure.

This stabilizes free radicals and prevents further polymer damage.

antioxidant 1076

3. Molecular Advantages of Antioxidant 1010

The performance of Antioxidant 1010 comes from its molecular design.

3.1 Multi-Functional Phenolic Structure

Antioxidant 1010 contains four hindered phenolic groups.

This provides multiple active stabilization sites.

Advantages:

Strong radical scavenging ability
Long-term protection
High efficiency at low dosage

3.2 High Molecular Weight Structure

Compared with lower molecular weight antioxidants, Antioxidant 1010 provides:

Lower volatility

During high-temperature processing:

Less evaporation
More antioxidant remains inside polymer

Lower migration

Important for:

Long-life products
Thin films
Automotive parts

Better durability

The antioxidant remains effective throughout product service life.

4. Main Applications of Antioxidant 1010

4.1 Antioxidant 1010 for Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene is one of the largest applications.

PP is widely used in:

Automotive interior parts
Household products
Packaging
Nonwoven fibers
Medical plastics

However, PP is sensitive to oxidation during processing.

Multiple thermal cycles can reduce molecular weight and mechanical properties.

Antioxidant 1010 improves:

Processing stability

During extrusion and injection molding:

Reduces polymer degradation
Maintains melt strength
Improves processing consistency

Long-term aging resistance

Final products maintain:

Strength
Flexibility
Appearance

Typical PP Antioxidant System

Many PP formulations use:

Primary antioxidant:

Antioxidant 1010

Secondary antioxidant:

Antioxidant 168

The combination provides:

Processing protection
Long-term thermal stability
Better color retention

5. Antioxidant 1010 for Polyethylene (PE)

Polyethylene applications include:

Pipes
Films
Containers
Cable insulation

PE products often require long service life.

Examples:

Plastic pipes may need decades of performance.

Antioxidant 1010 helps reduce:

Thermal oxidation
Molecular chain breaking
Mechanical property loss

antioxidant 1076 for pp

6. Antioxidant 1010 in Engineering Plastics

Engineering plastics require higher thermal stability.

Common materials:

These materials are used in:

Electronics
Automotive components
Precision parts

Requirements include:

High processing temperature resistance
Low discoloration
Long-term stability

Antioxidant 1010 is commonly selected because of its:

High decomposition temperature
Excellent compatibility
Low migration characteristics

7. Recommended Dosage of Antioxidant 1010

The dosage depends on:

Polymer type
Processing temperature
Expected lifetime
Exposure conditions

Typical ranges:

Application	Recommended Dosage
PP injection molding	0.05–0.3%
PE films	0.05–0.2%
Engineering plastics	0.1–0.5%
Recycling plastics	0.2–1%

Higher dosage does not always mean better performance.

Excess antioxidant may cause:

Cost increase
Compatibility issues
Processing effects

Professional formulation optimization is recommended.

8. Antioxidant 1010 Compared with Other Antioxidants

Antioxidant 1010 vs Antioxidant 1076

Feature	1010	1076
Molecular weight	Higher	Lower
Long-term protection	Excellent	Good
Processing stability	Excellent	Good
Migration resistance	Better	Moderate
Typical use	Engineering plastics	Films and general plastics

Antioxidant 1010 vs Antioxidant 168

They perform different functions.

1010:

Primary antioxidant
Radical scavenger

168:

Secondary antioxidant
Hydroperoxide decomposer

They are often combined.

9. Common Technical Problems When Using Antioxidant 1010

Problem 1: Incorrect Dosage

Too little:

Insufficient protection

Too much:

Increased cost
Possible formulation imbalance

Problem 2: Poor Dispersion

Uniform dispersion is critical.

Poor mixing may cause:

Local degradation
Uneven aging resistance

Problem 3: Wrong Antioxidant Combination

Some applications require:

1010 + 168

rather than 1010 alone.

The correct antioxidant system depends on:

Polymer chemistry
Processing conditions
Final application

10. How to Select an Antioxidant 1010 Supplier

Industrial buyers should evaluate suppliers based on:

Product Quality Control

Important parameters:

Purity
Ash content
Moisture
Melting point
Particle size distribution

Technical Documentation

Reliable suppliers should provide:

TDS
SDS
COA
Regulatory compliance documents

Production Capability

For large-volume buyers:

Check:

Manufacturing capacity
Batch consistency
Export experience
Packaging options

FAQ

What is Antioxidant 1010 used for?

Antioxidant 1010 is mainly used to protect plastics and polymers from oxidative degradation during processing and long-term service.

Is Antioxidant 1010 suitable for polypropylene?

Yes. Antioxidant 1010 is widely used in polypropylene applications, especially combined with secondary antioxidants such as Antioxidant 168.

What is the difference between Antioxidant 1010 and 168?

Antioxidant 1010 captures free radicals, while Antioxidant 168 decomposes hydroperoxides. They provide complementary protection.

What dosage of Antioxidant 1010 is recommended?

Typical dosage ranges from 0.05% to 0.5%, depending on polymer type and application requirements.

How should Antioxidant 1010 be stored?

Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight. Proper storage helps maintain product quality.

Antioxidant 1010 for Plastics: Technical Guide, Applications, Performance Advantages, and Supplier Selection