Masterbatches

Trinity aims to provide its customers the very best in cutting-edge products & services for plastic processing, packaging & printing. Trinity deals with world leaders to bring to you some of the finest products in the industry:

Pigmentary (Colour) Masterbatches

In pigmentary masterbatch, suitable organic or inorganic pigment is dispersed in a carrier resin to produce masterbatch of desired colour. In general, organic pigments have better tinctorial strength, higher brillance, lower opacity, lower toxicity, poor heat and light stability and poor migration resistance as compared to inorganic pigments. Hence, while selecting a pigment or combination of pigments for making a particular coloured masterbatch, following points are considered.

a. Hue, value, chroma of the pigment.
b. Heat and light stability required in the end product viz. organic pigments cannotwithstand higher processing temperature above 240°C.
c. Resistance to migration and bleeding required.
d. Dispersion of the pigment in carrier resin.
e. Some of the pigments cannot be used in direct food contact applications due to their toxicity.
f. Price of the pigment.Either a single pigment or combination of pigments are used to produce any desired colour.

Pigmentary masterbatches can be further sub-divided as – White Masterbatches        Black Masterbatches        Colour Masterbatches

Black Masterbatches

The black masterbatch imparts black shade to the polymer. A black masterbatch contains high concentration of carbon black finely dispersed in carrier resin. Wide range of blacks are available depending upon concentration, grade of carbon black with or without extenders such as calcium carbonate and in different carrier resins. Blacks generally contain 30 to 50% carbon black, which is generally a furnace black.

Selection of carbon black will depend upon –
1) Particle size
2) Structure of carbon black/porosity of carbon black.
3) Surface area of carbon black

A carbon black with small particle size, higher surface area and low structure would give more jetness or blackness to the polymer. But lower the particle size of carbon black, the more it becomes difficult to disperse in carrier resin eventually restricting production output during making of a masterbatch.

Besides colouring, carbon black also gives UV protection to the polymer at an optimum concentration. Black masterbatches based upon EVA carrier resin are more suitable for ABS, HIPS, Filled PP applications as compared to LDPE based blacks due to better compatibility and retention of impact strength of the base polymer. Carbon black being hygroscopic, it is advisable to preheat black masterbatches before using especially in monsoon.

Colour Masterbatches

A wide range of colour masterbatches are available in variety of shades, opacity, colour brillance, heat and light stability. Virtually, any colour masterbatch can be developed as desired by the user. Special colour masterbatches such as Pearl, Fluorescent, Metallic, Ceramtex shades are also being developed.For selecting any colour masterbatch, following points must be considered besides hue, opacity and brillance required.

1) Heat stability
2) Light fastness
3) Food or Non-food application
4) Migration Fastness

Pearlescent colour masterbatches are required to be processed with utmost care in injection moulding, blow moulding and extrusion. They should be processed with minimum shear otherwise the pearl flakes break down resulting into loss of pearly effect. Similarly, other pigments like TiO2 or fillers like calcium carbonate, talc, if present, in the polymer in which pearl masterbatch is added, will reduce pearly effect.

Another problem is dark weld lines seen when pearl pigments flow around an obstruction in the mould like hole and then the material meets on the other side. This weld line develops because of deorientation of platelets/flakes. These masterbatches should be processed with minimum injection speeds and injection pressure and use of a single gate. Similarly, in blow moulding and extrusion minimum back pressure should be generated for best results. All the pearl pigment masterbatches have very high heat stability.

Additive Masterbatches

Performance of the thermoplastics can be enhanced or modified by incorporating an additive masterbatch to suit the end use application. The additives which are required to be incorporated only at part per million (ppm) level in the base polymer and the best way that can be achieved is by using additive masterbatch of desired concentration to get good dispersion and proper modification/enhancement of the property of base polymer for particular end application. Similarly, some of the additives are very costly. Hence, it must be incorporated in exact proportion and this is possible only by using a additive masterbatch.

Main types of additive masterbatches are:
Antifibrillation
Ultra violet light stabilizer
Antioxidant
Polymer Processing Aid
Antiblock
Slip additive
Antistatic
Flame Retardant
Nucleating Agent/CIarifying Agent - View PDF
Cling Additive
Dessicant
Oxo Biodegradable - View PDF

Antifibrillation Masterbatch

This masterbatch is used in monoaxially oriented tapes/raffia made from PP or HDPE polymers. During production of raffia tapes by extrusion, a film is slit into tapes and then oriented monaxially on a heated hot plate or air oven by stretching these tapes 6 to 8 times. This monaxial orientation results into alignment of PP or HDPE crystallites in the direction of orientation resulting into high tensile strength (tape tenacity). But at the same time, these tapes can get vertically split due to this orientation and to overcome this problem of splitting/fibrillation, antifibrillation masterbatch is added.

Antifibrillation masterbatch contains 60 to 75% calcium carbonate in a suitable carrier resin and at a Let Down Ratio of 2 to 5% in the PP or HDPE, it stops fibrillation of the tapes and also increases its stiffness and COF.

When antifibrillting masterbatch is used in very high Let Down Ratio beyond 6%, it results into drastic reduction in tape tenacity, increases tape breakages and early screen choking during production besides increasing wear and tear of the extruder as calcium carbonate is abrasive. Screen choking will also depend upon the particle size and particle size distribution of calcium carbonate used in making masterbatch and its dispersion in the carrier resin. Antifibrillating masterbatches also impart some whiteness to the tapes.

Ultra Violet Light StabiIizer Masterbatch

Most of the thermoplastics undergo degradation when exposed to outdoor weather resulting into loss in strength/enbrittlement of the end product. This happens due to harmful attack of ultra violet rays present in sunlight in the wave length range of 200 to 400 nm.

UV light stabilizer masterbatches contain a suitable UV stabilizer incorporated in the carrier resin. By addition of this UV light stabilizer even at ppm level in the thermoplastic, they prevent photo- degradation prolonging the service life of extruded or moulded product exposed to sunlight, e.g. moulded filled PP outdoor chairs, FIBC's, tarpaulins, green house films, etc.

The amount of UV light stabilizer masterbatch to be incorporated will depend upon intensity of sunlight in which the product is to be exposed (Kilo Lang leys/year. In India it is 180 KL/year), thickness of the product, other additives like pigments present in the product, life expectancy of the product and type of UV light stabilizer used.

UV light stabilizer can be divided into three types.

i. UV Absorbers
These compounds absorb UV radiation and transform it into harmless level of heat energy, e.g. Benzophenones and Benzotriazoles. They are effective only in thicker products like pipe, storage tanks, etc. 

ii. Quenchers
They return molecules which have been 'excited' by UV radiation back to stable energy state. This transferred energy can be dissipated as heat. These materials are highly coloured and are not generally suitable for food contact applications, e.g. organo metallic chelates. 

iii. Radical Scavenger, (Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers)
They prevent photodegradation by reacting with degradation reactive products such as free radicals. They are effective in low dosages. Different HALS are used for various polymers. For example, a particular type of HALS will be more effective for PP than PE.

Hence, various grades of UV light stabilizer masterbatches are available for different polymers.      

Antioxidant Masterbatch

When the antioxidant masterbatch is incorporated in a base polymer, prevents thermal degradation at high processing temperatures such as experienced in roto-moulding of PE and extrusion of PE monofilaments, etc. Oxidation also occur while reprocessing the thermoplastics. In absence of antioxidant, polymer will degrade at high processing temperatures resulting into yellowing, black particles, screen choking and reduction in overall mechanical properties of the end product.

An antioxidant at ppm level prevents thermal degradation and hence, it should be incorporated in the form of masterbatch for good dispersion and best results. Antioxidants can be divided as –
i. Primary antioxidants
ii. Secondary antioxidants

i. ​Primary Antioxidants
Primary antioxidants are free radical scavengers and prevent thermal degradation by destroying free radicals generated during degradation of polymer. For example, Hindered phenols, secondary aryl amines. 

ii. Secondary Antioxidants
Secondary antioxidants decompose the hydroperoxide formed during reaction of primary antioxidant with free radicals and hence are used synergestically with primary antioxidants. For, example Phosphites,Sulphites, Thioesters.

Several grades of antioxidant masterbatches are available to suit a particular polymer. They prolong the service life of the product.

Polymer Processing Aid Masterbatch

Masterbatches based on polymer processing aid are used during processing of narrow MWD(Molecular Weight Distribution) LLDPE resins into film or drip lateral application. Narrow MWD (Molecular Weight Distribution) LLDPE resin have very high melt viscosity, due to which 100% LLDPE based films when produced on narrow die gaps results into melt fracture/shark skin like appearance affecting quality, opticals and COF of finished film. This is also true while producing drip lateral with 100% high molecular weight LLDPE (1 MFI).

Polymer processing aids are fluoroelastomers and when incorporated in ppm level in LLDPE, they prevent melt fracture during production of films, drip laterals, etc. They coat the die surface during processing and hence reduces the melt fracture. They also accelerate melting process, reduce die pressure and extrusion temperature. They also increase 'throughput' and surface gloss and clarity of LLDPE films. Use of PPA based masterbatch helps in good dispersion of PPA.

Although 200-300 ppm level of PPA in LLDPE is sufficient to prevent melt fracture, it is advisable to first add 2500 ppm level of PPA during start up for about 30 minutes till the PPA coats the die and once the melt fracture vanishes, one can come down to addition level of 200-300 ppm for rest of the production.

The addition level of PPA will also depend upon the abrasiveness of the melt. The protective coating achieved by polymer processing aid can be destroyed through the presence of abrasive additives such as silica, TiO2, etc. In that case, a higher addition level has to be used.

Antiblocking Agent Masterbatch

The polyolefin films of the LDPE, LLDPE and PP types are inherently prone to 'blocking’. It is a tendency of opposite polyolefin film surfaces to adhere to each other when brought into contact together during manufacturing such as blown film production.

This causes openability problem later on during bag making. This blocking tendency of film surfaces can be eliminated by adding an antiblocking agent masterbatch during processing of these films. Normally, silica is used as an antiblocking agent but nowadays antiblocking masterbatches based on finely ground talc are also available. The dispersion is very important otherwise fish eyes/gels, black spots appear during film formation affecting the entire film surface. The average particle size and the particle size distribution determines the dispersion ability of silica in the carrier resin of a masterbatch. Antiblocking agents also improve the print adhesion, bondability and weldability of polyolefin films.

Slip Additive Masterbatch

These masterbatches reduce the coefficient of friction of polyolefin film making the film surface very smooth.

This is useful in obtaining highest line speeds on a converting machine such as form fill sealing machines (FFS) during subsequent pouch making.

Slip agents are small mobile molecules of fatty acidamides, which rapidly migrates to the surface, forming a thin lubricating layer.

Masterbatches containing slip additive are commonly of two types:
i. Oleamide slip additive based masterbatch
ii. Erucamide slip additive based masterbatch

In general, at a given temperature, oleamide migrates to the surface rapidly than erucamide. But at high extrusion temperature, the slower migration of erucamide minimises loss of amide during processing. This is advantageous when the film is subsequently printed and sealed. Erucamide is also preferred in film which is to be laminated because of its low migrating tendency which can otherwise affect the bond strength.

It is important that one should not overdose the slip masterbatch during processing as it may lead to screw slip, poor print adhesion, poor sealing and bond strength.

Antistatic Agent Masterbatch

Most of the plastics are having high surface and volume resistivity which make them good electrical insulators. But because of it, they have tendency to accumulate electronic charge (static electricity) produced during high speed processing and subsequent use.

This is useful in obtaining highest line speeds on a converting machine such as form fill sealing machines (FFS) during subsequent pouch making.

Slip agents are small mobile molecules of fatty acidamides, which rapidly migrates to the surface, forming a thin lubricating layer.

1. External Antistat
They are sprayed on the plastic article after processing by dissolving them in common solvents. The disadvantage of external antistat is in the limited duration of its effect because antistatic action is lost over a period of time due to abrasion during handling of the end product or by washing.

2. Internal Antistat
An internal antistatic agent masterbatch is incorporated into the plastics during melt processing and they migrate to the surface during subsequent use, reducing the surface resistance partially with water absorbed from the air and hence effectiveness of antistatic agent will also depend upon relative humidity in the air.

Applications of antistatic agent masterbatches include films, sheets, moulded chairs, containers and housewares.

Flame Retardant Masterbatches

They are incorporated in plastics to reduce the ease with which the plastics can be ignited and reduce the rate at which the plastics can burn once ignited.

Most of the thermoplastic catch fire and hence cannot be used in speciality applications such as components of aircrafts, building materials and sophisticated electronic equipments, etc. Hence, the use of flame retardants has become mandatory in some of the plastics component uses.

Fire is caused essentially by heat, fuel and oxygen. Chemical flame retardants work by limiting one or more of these elements, thus reducing the fire spread.

Broadly, flame retards are classified as :
i. Halogenated types
ii. Non Halogenated types

Although halogenated types are more effective flame retardants, they have other adverse effect such as toxicity and higher smoke density. Hence, many a times antimony trioxide or alumina trihydrates are synergistically used with halogenated flame retardants to reduce smoke density and toxicity.

Masterbatches with a variety of combinations are available for different thermoplastics which can give flammability ratings of either 94 VO, 94 V1 or 94 V2 by flammability test devised by Underwriters Laboratory. Flame retardant additives in plastics are negatively influenced by carbon blacks, some pigments, calcium carbonate, antistatic agents and commoners such as vinyl acetate.

Nucleating Agent Masterbatch

Nucleating agent masterbatches are added in semicrystalline polymers such as PP and LLDPE to improve the clarity of their end products such as films, disposable containers, syringes, etc. For example, PP crystallises between 105-108°C and the resultant large size spherullites reflects and scatter the light to give hazy appearance.

Nucleating agents which are sorbitol types when incorporated into crystalline plastics such as PP provide a large number of nucleating sites, forming a greater number of smaller spherullites which reduces the reflection and absorption of light within the polymer matrix. This reduces the haze and thus increasing clarity due to more amount of light transmitted.

Other benefits if desired from adding nucleating agent masterbatch in polyolefin apart from increasing clarity are-
a. Increase gloss and surface smoothness.
b. Faster moulding cycles as cooling time can be reduced due to accelerated crystallization rate.
c. Increases flexural modulus, tensile strength.
d. Increases Heat distortion temperature.
e. Increases dimensional stability.

Nucleating, agent masterbatch is used in PP medical syringes, spoons, cups, house-hold articles such as RP buckets, mugs, PP sheets, films, LLDPE films and blow moulded PP bottles for shampoo, etc. where clarity is desired.

Cling Additive Masterbatch

Cling additive masterbatches are used to make stretch cling films. Stretch cling film is a pre-extruded tacky film based on LLDPE which is wrapped around bundles, pallet loads, fruits, rolls, food items, set of plastics chairs, etc. to impart firm grip to the package. Film has adhesive properties. This tackiness in LLDPE film is obtained by incorporating a cling additive preferably in the masterbatch form.

Cling additives are of two types :
a. Polyisobutenes (PIB)
b. Atactic Polypropylene

However, more developments have taken place on the use of PIB. The proper type of PIB and level of addition imparts desired tackiness to LLDPE film.

Stretch cling film can be manufactured either by blown film technique or by cast film technique but generally cast stretch cling film manufacturing requires less amount of PIB than that with blown film technique to achieve same level of tackiness. This is because migration of PIB and thereby development of cling depends upon cooling of the film during extrusion. Faster the cooling of the film, lesser the crystallinity and more will be the cling effect. In cast, film is cooled faster than blown film. Cast film may require 2 to 3% of PIB whereas blown film may require 5 to 8% of PIB to achieve the same cling effect.

DESICCANT MASTER BATCHES FOR PE & PP
This is mostly suitable to the plastics goods manufacturing industry. The boon available to plastic processing industry is that there is a possibility to use recycled plastic products and use these in as much proportion as possible with virgin material.

Recycled polymer is always prone to contain various contaminants and the most difficult to segregate is the moisture content. Desiccant 098 is one such product which is used to eliminate Moisture.

DESICCANT MB 098
Desiccant means “Dry Out Moisture from a Substance”. So, the purpose of DESSICANT MB 098 Master Batch is to dry out MOISTURE from the Polymer.

Desiccant MB098 is highly concentrated desiccant Master Batch and it is a new type of functional Master Batch. It is specially developed for use with recycled PE and PP materials as well as for the applications sensitive to the effect of moisture to eliminate moisture.

APPLICATION
For economic reasons, the use of recycled materials become common in Polymer Industries, but the quality of recycled material can not always be guaranteed, particularly with regard to Moisture. Moisture in Raw Materials can have undesirable effects leading to Porosity, Surface Finish and Lacing in the product, which leads to increase in Wastage Levels and also loss of production. Using Desiccant MB098 is the simplest and most cost effective way to solve the moisture problems to maintain the Quality.

DESSICANT MB-098 can be widely used in
- The PE and PP recycling materials
- Raffia
- Blow molding/ injection molding
- Sheet / Tarpaulin
- Pipe and Conduit
- HM film / shopping bags
- Various other applications

BENEFITS
1. Reduction-prevention of moisture related problems including:-
- Porosity, Surface defect in Moulding, Extrusion
- Lacing, Windowing in Films
- Die Build Ups.

2. Easy to use with simple Tumble mix with out changing of the processing technology and equipments.

ADDITION LEVELS
LDR of 1%- 2%, but it very much depends upon the moisture content of the material.