What is a color master? Why use a masterbatch?
A masterbatch is an aggregate obtained by uniformly loading a super-constant pigment into a resin.
The use of color masterbatch has the following advantages:
1. Make the pigment more dispersible in the product
In the production process of the color masterbatch, the pigment must be refined to improve the dispersibility and tinting strength of the pigment. The carrier of the special color masterbatch has the same plasticity as the product, and has good matching property, and the pigment particles can be well dispersed in the plastic of the product after heating and melting.
2. Helps maintain the chemical stability of the pigment
When the pigment is directly used, since the pigment directly contacts the air during storage and use, the pigment may absorb water, oxidize, etc., and after the color masterbatch, since the resin carrier separates the pigment from the air and moisture, the quality of the pigment may not be long-term. change.
3. Ensure the color of the product is stable
The color masterbatch particles are similar to the resin particles, and are more convenient and accurate in metering, do not adhere to the container during mixing, and are evenly mixed with the resin, thereby ensuring the stability of the added amount, thereby ensuring the stability of the color of the product.
4. Protect the health of the operator
Pigments are generally powdery, easy to fly when added and mixed, and will affect the health of the operator when inhaled by the body.
5. Keep the environment clean
6. Easy to use
What are the basic ingredients of the color masterbatch?
The basic components of the color masterbatch are:
Pigment or dye
Pigments are further divided into organic pigments and inorganic pigments.
Commonly used organic pigments are: phthalocyanine red, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, fast red, macromolecular red, macromolecular yellow, permanent yellow, permanent solid purple, azo red and the like. Commonly used inorganic pigments are: cadmium red, cadmium yellow, titanium white powder, carbon black, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, etc.
2. Carrier
It is the matrix of the masterbatch. The special color master generally selects the same resin as the carrier resin as the carrier, and the compatibility between the two is the best, but the fluidity of the carrier is also considered.
3. Dispersant
The pigment is uniformly dispersed and no longer aggregates. The melting point of the dispersing agent should be lower than that of the resin, have good compatibility with the resin, and have good affinity with the pigment. The most commonly used dispersants are: polyethylene low molecular waxes, stearates.
4. Additives
Such as flame retardant, brightening, antibacterial, antistatic, anti-oxidation and other varieties, unless the customer asks, in general, the color masterbatch does not contain the above additives.
What are the varieties and grades of the color master?
There are several commonly used classification methods for color masterbatch:
Classified by carrier: such as PE masterbatch, PP masterbatch, aBS masterbatch, PVC masterbatch, EVA color masterbatch, etc.
Classified by use: such as injection color masterbatch, blown color masterbatch, spinning color masterbatch, etc. Each variety can be divided into different levels, such as:
1. Advanced injection masterbatch
Used in cosmetic packaging boxes, toys, electrical enclosures and other advanced products.
2. Ordinary injection color masterbatch
Used in general daily plastic products, industrial containers, etc.
3. Advanced blown film masterbatch
Used for blow molding coloring of ultra-thin products.
4. Ordinary blown film masterbatch
It is used for blow molding coloring of general packaging bags and woven bags.
5. Spinning masterbatch
It is used for textile fiber spinning and coloring. The color masterbatch pigment has fine particle size, high concentration, strong tinting strength, good heat resistance and light resistance.
6. Low-level masterbatch
Used to manufacture low-grade products that do not require high color quality, such as trash cans, low-grade containers, etc.
How to distinguish between universal color masterbatch and special color masterbatch?
Dedicated color masterbatch: It is a masterbatch made of the same plastic as the carrier according to the plastic type specified by the user for the product. For example, PP color masterbatch and aBS color masterbatch respectively use PP and aBS as carriers.
Universal color masterbatch: A resin (often a low melting point PE) is also used as a carrier, but it can be applied to the coloration of other resins than its carrier resin.
The universal color masterbatch is relatively simple and convenient, but has many disadvantages. It is recommended that you use a special color masterbatch.
Why are many companies not producing universal color masterbatches?
Most formal color masterbatch companies in the world generally do not produce universal color masterbatches.
There are many disadvantages to the universal color masterbatch. In fact, the general purpose of the universal color masterbatch is very narrow, and the technical indicators and economic benefits are also poor. The specific performance is as follows:
1. Poor predictability of coloring effect
The color masterbatch is used for coloring, and the pigment of the universal color masterbatch exhibits different colors in different plastics, so the coloring effect is less predictable.
2. Affect other properties of plastic products
In particular, it affects the strength, and the product is easily deformed and twisted, which is more obvious to engineering plastics.
3. Higher cost
In order to be 'universal', the universal color masterbatch often uses a higher heat-resistant grade of pigment, resulting in waste.
In addition to coloring, can the color masterbatch also have the functions of flame retardant, brightening, antistatic, anti-oxidation and anti-ultraviolet rays?
The color masterbatch can have several of these functions at the same time, if the factory asks for this.
Sometimes, although the customer does not ask for it, the color master company will advise the user to add some additives depending on the needs of the product, such as adding certain additives such as brighteners to the color masterbatch. Of course, this will increase the cost of the product.
What is the heat resistance of the color masterbatch?
The heat resistance grade of the special color masterbatch is generally compatible with the plastic used for the product, and can be used with confidence at normal temperature. Only in the following cases will cause different degrees of discoloration, first, the temperature is beyond the normal range, first, the downtime is too long.
What is the difference between granulation coloring and color mastering?
Masterbatch coloring has the following advantages over granulation coloring:
1. Coloring and product processing are completed once, avoiding the heating process of granulation coloring on plastics, and is beneficial to the quality of plastic products.
2. The production process of plastic products is simplified.
3. Can save a lot of power
Will the product colored with the masterbatch not fade?
There is no product that does not fade, and products that use color masterbatch may still fade, but the degree of product is different for different grades, some are more obvious, and some are hard to detect.
Xiaoxian RuiYi Commercial Trade Co.,Limited , https://www.ryaluplate.com