Calcium Carbonate – modern day uses of PCC
Adhesives & Sealants
Precipitated calcium carbonates are used as fillers in adhesives and sealants. However, because of their much smaller sizes they are mainly used as the primary rheological additive in high-performance products. PCC's add reinforcement and make the product stronger.
- fillers
- rheological control
Food & Pharmaceuticals
PCC's are used as dietary calcium, mostly in liquid products where the very small particle size is valuable. Many medicines and cosmetics contain PCC, as the base material of pills, or for bulking of liquid medicines, ointments or creams. PCC's are used in toothpaste as a viscosity aid and mild abrasive.
- calcium source
- mineral base
- mild abrasive
Paints & Inks
Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) is commonly used in paint and inks as extenders to increase opacity and porosity for dry hiding. Formulating flexographic, gravure, lithographic or silk screen printing inks with PCC can improve quality whilst reducing costs.
- extender
- opacifier
- finish aid
Paper
PCC is used for similar applications to GCC but the particle size is much finer and more closely controlled, allowing PCC to be used more for paper coating and surface finishing. PCC can be supplied coated with additives to improve gloss or aid bonding within the paper.
- filler
- coating pigment
- surface finish
- brightness
Plastics
PCC is used as a fine and very consistently controlled filler/extender, and also to help control flow and moulding characteristics of fine components. PCC also has a significant effect on impact strength in rigid PVC
- fillers
- extenders
- reinforcement
