Why Plastic Manufacturers Prefer Masterbatches Over Raw Pigment?

By Author: Priya Verma
Total Articles: 3
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We see colored plastics all around us. They delight the sense due to having different shades and patters. We know colour concentrates are often used in lending their visual appeal. Only a few of us may know that masterbatches and pigments are not the same and they are technically different to each other. While pigment is mostly dry, solid substances used in making of ink or dyes, masterbatches on the other hand are more advanced and combine pigments and additives joined by a polymer.  

It’s true that masterbatches are also colour but the pigment can never be added directly into the polymer mix. It may be possible to use either in the manufacturing process but both are not interchangeable when it comes to plastic and synthetic fiber products. Such products are better off only with the use of masterbatches.

Here are some of reasons why plastic manufacturers prefer masterbatches over pigment -

Masterbatches are easier to store and move

Anything that is available in pellet form will always be easier to store than those in pigment form. The same ...
... holds true between masterbatches and pigments where the former is easier to store, less messy, easy to move than powdered pigments. When rotofoam masterbatch or any other type is used during the manufacturing process, it’s always easy to handle color concentrates.

Masterbatches ensure optimal dispersion

During manufacturing process, there is always a risk of pigment getting airborne and soiling adjacent manufacturing lines. This happens because pigment can’t disperse well on its own, which is not the case with masterbatches. They are known for optimal dispersion in a polymer matrix and when that happens, which eventually leads to amazing colour distribution for final product.    

Masterbatches lead to superior melt processing  

The nature of dispersion chemistry necessitates less requirement of pigment in masterbatch than in powdered form. The use of binding agent in the masterbatch can also be matched to the product polymer to get superior melt processing. This is possible with even PPR pipe masterbatch as that’s how manufacturers are ensured about quality to their end products.   

Masterbatches deliver better color consistency

Compared to raw pigment, the use of masterbatches ensures better color consistency for products for every lot and in fact, also within the lots.  Likewise, masterbatches help manufacturers get a superior control over transparency and opacity of colored product than pigment does. Both these aspects are also responsible for quality and long-lasting performance of plastic products. This is how companies are able to deliver value to their customers in any situation.

Masterbatches ensure US stability and antioxidant benefits

Unlike pigments, masterbatches are able to contain additive concentrates which can help plastic manufacturers get a variety of required features to their products. This is why products achieve UV stability, optical brightening and anti-oxidant features etc. More so, it’s quite possible to include additive ingredients in polypropylene fibre masterbatch in a set ratio to help reduce the probability of variance during process. This will ensure hassle-free processes leading to quality deliverables to end users in all possible situations.