Prisma Colour | News & Features | What is Masterbatch?

Features: What is Masterbatch?

August 2009

Masterbatches are colour and/or additive concentrates dispersed into a carrier resin. When these concentrates are added at the required addition rate into the final polymer the specified colour and additive performance required in the end article being moulded will be achieved.

It is essential to make sure that the carrier resin of the masterbatch is compatible with the final polymer which is being processed otherwise problems such as poor distribution and lamination may occur.

Before a masterbatch formulation is put together a lot of questions need to be answered so that the correct formulation can be ascertained. The following questions are not a complete list but they form the basis of questions that need answering before a colour match is carried out.

What is the end application and the Polymer being coloured/modified?

Is the final article being used intended for indoor or outdoor use and in what part of the world?

Are there any specific requirements such as food or toy approval?

What are the Light fastness and or/weather fastness requirements of the final article?

What is the manufacturing process for the end article – extrusion, injection moulding or blow moulding etc and what is the processing temperature?

What is the required addition rate of the masterbatch?

Are additives required such as UV stabilizers, antistatic agents, processing aids?

Once the answers to the above questions have been ascertained then the formulation selection process can begin. The correct selection of colourants and additives that will meet the end application requirements with the most competitive prices will be chosen.

Prisma Colour work closely with their customers to develop products which offer real advantages and two examples of these are the development of masterbatches which have significantly reduced the electricity costs and cycle times during the injection moulding process.

We are keen to work closely with our customers and share our expertise to the benefit of both parties.