Color Masterbatch Also known as color seed, it is a new type of colorant for polymer materials, also known as

pigment preparation. It is composed of three basic elements: pigment or dye, carrier and additive. It is an aggregate
obtained by uniformly loading an extraordinary amount of pigment or dye in the resin, which can be called pigment
concentrate, so its coloring power is higher than the pigment itself. In short, master batch is an aggregate obtained
by uniformly loading an extraordinary amount of pigment or dye in the resin.

How to mix colors? Mainly RGB&CMY：Red, Green, Blue and Cyan, Magenta, Yellow as the three primary colors.

Before color matching, you must understand the purpose of the product, whether the material used is PP, PE or PET,
ABS, etc., and then start analyzing the color matching based on the color of the plastic product.

1. According to the purpose of the plastic product, determine the application environment and requirements of the
product, the application environment temperature, and then consider the temperature of the master batch during
processing and use based on these factors to match the color.

2. Color matching is based on the resin characteristics of plastic products. Whether the resin is polyethylene or
polypropylene, their composition is different. When matching colors, you need to understand the color,
gloss, transparency, heat resistance, aging resistance, strength, etc. of the resin.

3. After completing the first two steps, we can match the color according to the color of the plastic product. In the
process of color matching, we must consider the characteristics of the plastic and the requirements for pigments such
as safety and environmental protection, and then select the appropriate pigment for color matching according to the
requirements.

In addition, the color matching of master batch must adhere to three principles, namely, “small amount”,
“similar” and “complementary color” principles. “Small amount” means the less colorant the better; “similar” means
the properties of the selected colorants should be similar, such as heat resistance; preventing the introduction of
complementary colors is also called the “complementary color” principle.

What are the commonly used pigments, organic pigments and inorganic pigments (currently mainly organic)

pigment is divided into organic pigments and inorganic pigments.

Commonly used organic pigments include: phthalocyanine red, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, sun-fast
red, macromolecule red, macromolecule yellow, permanent yellow, permanent purple, azo red, etc.

Commonly used inorganic pigments include: cadmium red, cadmium yellow, titanium dioxide, carbon black, red iron
oxide, yellow iron oxide, etc.

What are the things added to adjust the lightness and darkness of colors?

1) Brightener is an additive that can enhance gloss and is also a way to increase the brightness of master batch.
During the production process, a certain amount of brightener can be added to make the surface of the master batch
smooth and bright, thereby improving the quality of the product. 2) Transparent master batch is a colorless,
transparent pigment additive that can also improve the transparency and brightness of the master batch, and can
achieve good results. When using transparent master batch, it is necessary to control the addition ratio to avoid
affecting the color and quality of the master batch.

3) Antioxidants can prevent pigments from oxidizing and deteriorating during processing

4) During the production process of master batch, the quality of the environment will also affect the brightness and
quality of the master batch. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen process control, ensure the cleanliness and good
ventilation of the production environment, and reduce the pollution and impact of impurities.

5) If the master batch is used in injection molding products, 2% TiO2 or whitening agent can be added. Titanium
dioxide can improve hiding power, weather resistance, anti-fading, etc. When the concentration of titanium dioxide is
low, the whiteness of PP increases with the increase of its content. When the concentration exceeds 1.5%, the
whiteness no longer increases. From 1%-8%, the whiteness increases by 2.8%. This shows that after exceeding a
certain concentration range, increasing the amount of titanium dioxide does not improve the whiteness. In order to
further improve the whiteness, fluorescent whitening agent can be used. Only a small amount of fluorescent
whitening agent can significantly improve the coloring power of titanium dioxide. In general, the finer the titanium
dioxide particles, the higher its coloring power and the stronger its hiding power.

6) Cadmium yellow has strong tinting power, excellent light and weather resistance, no migration and no color
bleeding. This product can be used as a yellow colorant for plastics. It has bright colors, excellent light and heat
resistance, solvent resistance, water resistance and alkali resistance, but it is not acid-resistant, and its coloring and
hiding power are not very high.

7) Ultramarine has the effect of whitening and toning, and it can remove the yellow tint in white products.

Reference Black and white master batch formula

A. Choose four TiO2 formulas

Recipe 1

TiO 2 BA01-01 400G (40%)

Lithopone (zinc barium white) B302 300G (30%)

Brightener KSN 0.2G (0.02%)

Stearic acid YA-Ⅱ-200 type 30G (3%)

Calcium stearate 9.8g (0.98%)

LLDPE2433 Tianjin MI=33 100G (10%)

LDPEQ400(2F4B MI=4) 160G (16%)

*Ratio 3%

Recipe 2

(1) Titanium dioxide BA01-01 690G 69%

(2) Phthalocyanine Blue [Link] NPB Blue RS-6

0.6G 0.06%

(3) Fluorescent brightener KSN 0.6G 0.06%

(4) Calcium stearoyl 10G 1%

(5) Stearic acid YA-Ⅱ-200 type 30G 3%

(6) 20PE Q400 268.8G/1000G 26.88%

* 4% for film blowing

Recipe 3

(1) Titanium dioxide 200G 70%

(2) Fluorescent brightener KSN 0.2G 0.02%

(3) Brightener EBS~oleic acid amide TAS-2A

25G 2.5%
(4) LLDPE 2433 150G 15%

(5) LDPE Q400 124.8G/1Kg 12.48%

* 4% Blown Film

Recipe 4

TiO 2 62.7%

LDPE(1F7B) 18.4%

LLDPE (7042) 4.6%

PE wax 12%

Oleic acid amide 2.3%

*Twin screw

145℃ 160℃ 170℃ 180℃ 190℃ 200℃ 195℃

Requirements: TiO2 content 63% MIR=7.5

Dispersibility, opening, heat sealing, printing

B. Universal white master batch

PEwax 22%(Rushan)

TiO 2 64% (Pangang 101)

Zinc stearate 10%

CB cadmium red etc. 2%

A small amount of white oil, high stirring and then enter the three-roller single screw

Ratio 1:100

ABS is no problem, PP laundry tub (MI=35) has stripes (white)

Reason: Too much PEwax, which often causes it to melt first and produce streaks; after modification: PEwax is
reduced to 15%, and there is no problem with PP. It is better to choose LLDPE, which has greater shear force and is
easy to disperse.

C. Black Master Batch Formula

1) CB Cabot N234 45%

2) Pewax Beijing University of Chemical Technology 12%

3) LLDPE MI = 20 43%

03

White coating film master batch

White coating film master batch is mainly used for coating composite films such as instant noodles. Its main reference
composition is:

Titanium dioxide (mainly R type) D50%-70%;

Low molecular weight polyethylene wax 2%-5%;

Polyethylene (1C7A) 20%-30%;

Appropriate amount of coupling agent;

CaCO 3 5%;

Other appropriate amounts.

Anti-ultraviolet and anti-oxidant master batch

Polypropylene resin 45-60 parts Color powder 37-49 parts

Dispersant 2-7 parts

Antioxidant 0.5-1.5 parts

0.1-0.5 parts of UV protection agent;

The antioxidant is a mixture of antioxidant 1010 and antioxidant 168 in a weight ratio of 1:1-2; the anti-ultraviolet
agent is a mixture of 4-benzoyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine and 2-hydroxy-4-n-octyloxybenzophenone in a
weight ratio of 1:1.8-2.6

Poor toner dispersion

1. Choose the right type of toner and the right particle size

2. Static Electricity

Many master batches do not contain antistatic additives. When customers use master batches, they often mix the
master batches and raw materials together and stir them, which can easily generate static electricity. This causes
uneven distribution of the master batches and raw materials when they are mixed, resulting in inconsistent colors
before and after the product.

3. The melting point of the master batch is not suitable

4. In many cases, when selecting a carrier, master batch suppliers will choose a resin with a higher melt index as the
carrier. However, the higher the melt index, the better. It is necessary to fully consider the physical properties of the
final product, the surface requirements and the good process ability of the master batch. A too low melt index can
easily cause poor dispersion of the master batch in the product. The melt index of the master batch needs to be
considered comprehensively with the conditions of the carrier and the powder. Designing a suitable melt index is of
great help to the dispersion of the master batch.

5. The proportion of master batch added is too low

Considering the physical properties of the final product and the total cost of the coloring solution, some master batch
suppliers will design a lower master batch addition amount, resulting in poor dispersion of the master batch in the
finished product.

6. The dispersion system of the master batch is not suitable

7. In order to break up the agglomerated powder in the master batch, some dispersants and lubricants are added
during the master batch processing to assist the dispersion of the powder in the master batch. If the dispersant is not
selected properly, the master batch will inevitably have poor dispensability.

8. The influence of master batch density

Color powders with high density are often added to master batches. For example, in order to achieve a strong hiding
power of master batches, a large amount of titanium dioxide is added. The density of titanium dioxide is about
4.0g/cm³ (3.8g/cm³~4.4g/cm³), which is greater than the density of many resins. Therefore, the density of the master
batch may be quite different from the density of the resin, and the master batch is more likely to settle at the bottom
of the mixer during mixing, resulting in inconsistent colors before and after the product.

9. Improper selection of the carrier for the master batch

The carrier of the master batch is used to carry the color powder and other functional additives. The type, quantity,
model, melting index and even form of the carrier will greatly affect the process ability and dispensability of the
master batch. For example, for the master batch used in polyolefin products, whether the carrier is PP, PE or EVA,
whether it is a single carrier or a mixture of several carriers, which brand, how much melting index is selected,
whether it is powder or granular, etc., will all affect the final performance of the master batch.

10. Master batch Processing

The processing of master batch is a combination of multiple processes. What kind of mixing equipment should be
selected? How to design the mixing process? What kind of granulation equipment should be selected? What kind of
screw combination should be selected? What kind of granulation process should be selected? Even what kind of
cooling process should be selected will affect the final performance of the master batch.

[Link] impact of technology

The plastic molding process has a certain impact on the dispersion of master batch. As far as the injection molding
process is concerned, temperature, pressure and holding time will affect the dispersion of master batch.

[Link] of equipment

Plastic molding equipment will also have a certain impact on the dispersion of master batches. For example, if the
screw is severely worn, the shear force will be greatly reduced, which will weaken the dispersion of the master batch.

Premix for Color Master Batch Production

1. Formula design to determine the ratio of pigments, resins and additives.

2. Mixing choice: high speed mixer or gravimetric feeder?

Gravimetric feeder: suitable for that no color changing system. Separate feeder for each kind of materials, it can help
raw material more accurate feeding according to the formula. But it need to co-work with the high speed mixer.

High speed mixer: pre-mixing raw material before compounding

3. Pre-treatment: Grind and disperse the polymer into powder to improve dispensability. Powder & powder mixing is
better than granules & powder mixing.

4. High speed mixer mixing process: Add raw materials in batches and layers. For example: polymer 65Kg, pigment
30Kg, TiO2+additive 5Kg. First layer polymer 20kg, second layer pigment 15kg, third layer additive 3kg, fourth layer
polymer 20kg, fifth layer pigment 15kg, sixth layer additive 2kg, seventh layer polymer 25kg. Low speed starts the
mixer and step by step increasing to the high speed with mixing 8-15 minutes until you find that material can be held
into a ball without being loose. You can record the mixing approx. Time and temperature and discharge with the
similar time and temperature next batch mixing.

How to configure the machine?

Summary: recommend to use separate machines for Black/White/Colors master batch, because it’s hard to clean the
machine when you change colors.

Black master batch:

Carbon black < 45%

1. High speed mixer + Twin screw extruder with L/D 48:1 + Single screw extruder with L/D 7:1 or Gear pump + water
ring(PE) or Underwater cutting system (PP&PE)
Design purpose: Double-stage system, twin-screw high-pressure mixing and transmission, no head to avoid high
shear and melt pressure overheating, single screw low speed and low shear to avoid overheating contradictions
affecting material carbonization

2. Kneader + single screw extruder with L/D 16:1 + water ring(PE) or Underwater cutting system (PP&PE)

Design purpose: kneader has a better mixing ability then mixer to get a higher performance.

3. High speed mixer + Triple screw extruder with L/D 48:1 + Single screw extruder with L/D 7:1 or Gear pump + water
ring(PE) or Underwater cutting system (PP&PE)

Design purpose: Triple screw extruder has a better dispersion ability than twin screw extruder, so it can work with
maximum 55% carbon black adding.

Carbon black > 50%

1. Kneader + Twin screw extruder with L/D 48:1 + Single screw extruder with L/D 7:1 or Gear pump + water ring(PE)
or Underwater cutting system (PP&PE)

White master batch:

1. High Speed Mixer + Twin screw extruder with L/D 48:1 + water ring(PE) or Die face hot cutting system (PP)

2. Kneader + single screw extruder with L/D 16:1 + water ring(PE) or Die face hot cutting system (PP)

3. Kneader + twin screw extruder with L/D 40:1 + water ring(PE) or Die face hot cutting system (PP)

Color master batch:

Due to the frequently color changing, normally recommend multi sets smaller capacity machine for easy changing
different batch colors (normally 1-10 tons/batch). Like KTE-36, KTE-40, KTE-52 series machine. Similar color series can
share one machine, like dark series color or light series color to reduce color pollution.

High speed mixer + Twin screw extruder with L/D 40:1/44:1(KTE-36 series) or 44:1/48:1(KTE-52, KTE-65 series) +
Water cooling strand cutting system.

Design purpose: mixer loaded upon the extruder directly to reduce the difficulty of cleaning. Equip with quick-open
filter to easy open and clean the die head and screw.

More advanced design: The slide rail design allows easy separation of the barrel and gearbox, making it easier to
clean or replace with new screw to reduce cleaning time.

How to change colors and clean the equipment?

1. Resin cleaning, using polyester resin or epoxy resin to clean the machine, is generally used for cleaning new
equipment or when the extruder has been used for a period of time. Due to the gelation of some materials remaining
on the screw or barrel, the material extrusion speed slows down, and the color difference of the color-changing
varieties is large, this method can be used.

2. Disassemble and clean, manually add washing material from the feed port until the color of the extruded material
strip is the same as that of the washing material pellets, stop feeding, empty the material, stop the screw of the twin-
screw extruder; open the die head of the screw extruder and start cleaning; rotate the screw of the twin-screw
extruder and remove the orifice plate, discharge the residual washing material in the barrel, and clean the orifice
plate; stop and pull out the screw to observe whether it is cleaned, and manually remove the residual material on the
screw. Reinstall the screw; add new material to flush the residual washing material in the barrel, stop the screw;
install the orifice plate and die head of the twin-screw extruder, and complete the cleaning operation of the twin-
screw extruder.
3. The fire baking method, which uses fire or fire baking to remove the plastic fixed on the screw, is the most
common and effective method used by plastic processing units. Use a blowtorch to clean the screw immediately after
use. Since the screw carries the heat from the processing experience, the heat distribution of the screw is still
uniform.

l Finished product particle inspection

Mainly inspection equipment: Lab Film blowing / Injection / Double roll tablet press machine

Master batch color detection: The same raw materials as the carrier are added in proportion (1% or 2%), and a
2.5mm thick sheet is obtained by injection molding at a temperature of 170°C-190°C (depending on the raw
materials). The color is compared with the sample. When comparing, light colors can be tested with a colorimeter,
and dark colors can be compared and adjusted under good light conditions based on experience.

Dispersibility: The films were pressed into the same proportions and temperature, and the number of pigment
particles was observed.

Ash content and melt index test: Ash content is the proportion of ash after a certain amount of master batch is
completely burned.

The melt index is the value obtained every 10 minutes at a temperature of 190°C and a temperature of 2-16 kg.

Tinting strength and shade test methods: Weigh 5g of master batch and 200g of natural resin and mix them evenly.
Roll them into sheets on a two-roll plasticizer. Accurately weigh 10g of plasticized material and put it into a mold with
a cavity height of 0.1mm. Use a pressure molding machine to press it into thin sheets and compare it with the original
standard of known concentration. The color is similar to the standard, and the tinting strength is ±5% of the standard.

Fineness determination: Weigh 1g of master batch and 100g of natural resin and mix them evenly, then roll them into
sheets on a two-roll plastic machine and observe the particle size under a microscope (count the number of pigment
particles with a diameter of less than 0.5mm, 2nm, 10nm and above 30nm according to product requirements)

Master batches
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 (Color) Master batches

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 [Link] a single pigment or combination of pigments are used to produce any desired colour.

Pigmentary masterbatches can be further sub-divided as –

White Masterbatches

These are the most widely used masterbatches for colouring of plastics especially plastics films. A white masterbatch
contains very high concentration of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) pigment in the carrier resin. Selection of proper grade of
Tio2 forms a basis of any white masterbatch.

There are two types of TiO2 available viz. Rutile grade and Anatase grade. Rutile TiO2 has higher tinting strength,
hiding power and chalking resistance than Anatase grade. Similarly, TiO2 is generally coated with inorganic coating
like Alumina, Silicone and organics like Siloxane. Inorganic coating gives weather resistance whereas organic coating
increases dispersibility of the pigment in the carrier resin. It is important to have a TiO2 with optimum inorganic and
organic coating. A very high level of these coatings can lead to processing problems like lacing during film production
at high temperatures and may also affect seal strength, bond strength of two film surfaces and poor printing ink
adhesion. A wide range of white masterbatches are being produced in India from 45% TiO2 to 75% TiO2 loading.

Conventionally, masterbatches were for LDPE, HDPE film applications, but due to advent of LLDPE's in film
application, which has led to down gauging of films being produced today, high MFI LDPE based white master batch
can degrade during extrusion more so during multilayer film production resulting into black spots or early screen
choking. Hence, white masterbatch either based on low MFI LDPE or LLDPE and stabilized are required to be used in
LLDPE films or HMHDPE films.

Two white masterbatches having same TiO2 loading may not give the same opacity at identical loadings in production
of same film. A white masterbatch wherein TiO2 is properly dispersed in carrier resin would give higher opacity.
White masterbatches are also available with bluish tone. Economy range whites are produced by partly replacing TiO2
with extender such as calcium carbonate.

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 [Link] 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 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 without changing of the processing technology and equipment’s.

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