4. Why use masterbatch?

Using masterbatch has the following advantages:
 

4.1 Make the pigment have better dispersion in the product:

Masterbatch is an aggregate made by uniformly attaching an extraordinary amount of pigment to the resin.

During the production of masterbatch, the pigment must be refined to improve the dispersion and coloring power of the pigment. The carrier of the special masterbatch is the same as the plastic type of the product, which has good matching. After heating and melting, the pigment particles can be well dispersed in the plastic of the product.

4.2 It is conducive to maintaining the chemical stability of the pigment:

If the pigment is used directly, the pigment will absorb water and oxidize due to direct contact with the air during storage and use. After making the masterbatch, the resin carrier isolates the pigment from the air and moisture, which can keep the quality of the pigment unchanged for a long time.

4.3 Ensure the stability of the color of the product:

Masterbatch particles are similar to resin particles, which are more convenient and accurate in measurement. They will not adhere to the container during mixing, and the mixing with the resin is also more uniform, so the addition amount can be guaranteed to be stable, thereby ensuring the stability of the color of the product.

4.4 Protect the health of operators:

Pigments are generally powdery and easy to fly when added and mixed. If inhaled by the human body, it will affect the health of operators.

4.5 Keep the environment clean and do not stain utensils:

4.5.1 Simple process, easy color change, saving time and raw materials:

Due to the direct contact of pigments with air during storage and use, moisture absorption, oxidation, agglomeration and other phenomena will occur. Direct use will cause color spots on the surface of plastic products, dark hue, easy color fading, and dust flying during mixing, affecting the health of operators. The masterbatch is mechanically processed during the production process, and the pigment is refined. The pigment is fully mixed with the resin carrier and dispersant to isolate the pigment from air and moisture, thereby enhancing the weather resistance of the pigment, improving the dispersibility and coloring power of the pigment, and making the hue bright. Since the masterbatch is similar in shape to the resin particles, it is more convenient and accurate in measurement, and will not adhere to the container during mixing, thus saving the time of cleaning the container and the machine and the raw materials used for cleaning the machine.
 

5. Precautions for using masterbatch:

5.1 How to use masterbatch?

The use of masterbatch is very simple. Just mix it with resin particles according to the specified ratio and stir it manually.

The following issues should be noted in the operation of the equipment:

5.1.1. The mixing chamber of the injection molding machine or extruder generally has multiple temperature zones, among which the temperature near the blanking port should be slightly higher. This is to make the masterbatch melt quickly after entering the mixing chamber and mix it evenly with the plastic resin as soon as possible, which is conducive to the masterbatch pigment being in a good dispersion state in the product.

5.1.2. Applying back pressure to the injection molding machine appropriately can improve the mixing effect of the screw and facilitate the dispersion of the pigment. The side effect of applying back pressure is to slow down the injection speed.

5.1.3. Properly increasing the die temperature of the extruder can increase the brightness of the product.

5.2 How to determine the proportion of masterbatch used?

The basis for determining the proportion of masterbatch used is to obtain a satisfactory coloring effect. As long as the surface color of the product is uniform and there are no stripes and spots, it can be recognized. The use ratio of Qi Se Lu masterbatch can be selected as follows:

1:100 Unless the mixing property of the equipment is very good, uneven pigment dispersion is likely to occur. It is generally not recommended for customers to use this ratio.

However, due to price pressure, some customers particularly want to use masterbatch with this ratio. For the sake of customers, more concentrated masterbatch with such a low ratio is produced, and the dispersion of the pigment can generally meet the requirements.

1:50 is used for plastic products with general coloring requirements. PE and PP masterbatch use this ratio more often

1:33–1:25 is used for PO products with higher coloring requirements, and ABS products with lower coloring requirements or general

1:20 is used for high-end plastic products, including PO and ABS, which can be widely used in injection molding, blow molding, spinning and other processes

1:20 and above are generally used for coloring of high-end cosmetic containers, and are more used in small injection molding machines

 

5.3 How to calculate the cost of masterbatch use?

The weight of the masterbatch itself should be deducted when calculating the cost of masterbatch coloring.

For example: 2 kg of masterbatch is added to 100 kg of plastic resin. The total weight is 102 kg. Assuming the price of resin is 10 yuan/kg and the price of masterbatch is 20 yuan/kg,

then the cost of 102 kg of plastic products due to the use of masterbatch is:

2 kg × (20 yuan/kg-10 yuan/kg) = 20 yuan

The cost of 100 kg of plastic products due to the use of masterbatch is:

20 yuan/102 kg × 100 kg = 19.61 yuan

 

5.4 Will the use of masterbatch increase product costs?

In most cases, this is the case. But in some cases, using masterbatch for coloring is more economical than using color powder for coloring, because colorists can achieve the coloring effect of higher-priced pigments by combining several lower-priced pigments.

The following two phenomena should also be considered:

(1) In many cases, the pigments selected by plastic product manufacturers when matching colors with color powder are not the most economical. Due to lack of familiarity with pigments, repeated experiments are often conducted when matching colors, resulting in a waste of manpower and materials. This problem does not exist when using masterbatches.

(2) The grades of products colored with masterbatches and products colored with color powders are completely different, and their selling prices are also higher. The higher selling prices are often higher than the increased costs of using masterbatches, so masterbatches can create "profits". From this perspective, in some cases, using masterbatches for coloring is more "economical" than using color powders for coloring.

 

5.5 Does the masterbatch need to be dried before use?

Generally, masterbatches do not need to be dried and can be used directly. However, ABS and NY masterbatches are exceptions, which should be dried according to conventional processes.

How long is the shelf life of masterbatches?

Masterbatches can be stored for a long time.

The pigments in the masterbatch are dispersed and fixed in the carrier resin and are in a closed state. Even if they are stored for a long time, their quality will not change. But it should be stored in a dry and cool environment

5.6 Can several different masterbatches be used to prepare colors?

Several masterbatches can be used to prepare specific colors for small-volume customers, but without the guidance of the company's technical staff, customers cannot use several masterbatches on their own, let alone mix masterbatches produced by different companies, so as to avoid incompatibility and cause losses.

Will the use of masterbatches affect other properties of the product?

Some pigments affect the flame retardant effect of the product. When used in flame retardant products, it should be pointed out to the masterbatch manufacturer.
 

6. Will the pigment migration of the masterbatch during storage affect the quality of the product?

Some masterbatch pigment content (or dye) is very high. In this case, migration is normal. Especially for masterbatch with dye added, serious migration will occur. But this does not affect the quality of the product, because after the masterbatch is injected into the product, the pigment is at a normal color concentration in the product.

7. Why do some injection products have poor gloss?

There are several possibilities:

7.1. The nozzle temperature of the injection molding machine is too low

7.2. The mold finish of the injection molding machine is not good

7.3. The molding cycle of the product is too long

7.4. The masterbatch contains too much titanium dioxide

7.5. The masterbatch is not dispersed well
 

8. After a period of time, some plastic products will fade.

The basic pigments used by the manufacturer are of poor quality and drift occurs.
 

9. Why is ABS masterbatch particularly prone to color differences?

Different brands of ABS produced in various countries have large color differences. Even for the same brand of ABS, each batch may have color differences. Of course, color differences will also occur after coloring with masterbatch. This is caused by the characteristics of ABS, and there is no complete solution internationally. However, this color difference is generally not serious.