Color Masterbatch - VEM Tooling

Imparting color plays a crucial role in injection molding processes to manufacture products according to the specific vision of the part. There are various processes through which color can be added to the injection molding process and one of the most popular processes is color masterbatch.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website HongDa.

A color masterbatch is typically a collection of highly pigmented plastic pellets that cannot undergo injection molding by themselves. These pellets are thus mixed with uncolored plastic pellets so that the color combines with the plastic, thereby creating an overall color that is tailored and unique to the project requirement. In this article, we discuss various parameters and specifications of color masterbatch in detail.

The color masterbatch is also referred to as color type or color concentrate. The primary purpose of color masterbatch is to color polymers with specific hues and tones. You should note that a color masterbatch can be engineered to manufacture any type of hue in the color spectrum.

A color masterbatch is a type of pigment blend that is injected and mixed into raw polymers and is employed for coloring thermoplastics during the manufacturing process. A color masterbatch is highly concentrated and its composition can consist of one or more colorants. 

The color masterbatch is obtained by distributing pigments and additives into a polymer carrier by heat treatment and a high-shear mixing extruder. This mixture is cooled off, cut, and formed into granules via a pelletiser. The pigments are uniformly loaded in an ultra-constant amount and this is also referred to as the pigment concentration. The range of additives is typically between 40-65 % but in exceptional cases, this range can be altered to be between 15-80 %. 

Color masterbatch is further categorized into the following types:

• Single Pigment Concentrates (SPC): SPC Masterbatches are also referred to as mono-batches. They primarily consist of a particular pigment. 
• Customized Color Masterbatches: These types of color masterbatches are mixtures of various powder pigments. They are bespoke formulations that are designed for specialized projects. 
• Custom Color Masterbatches: They are a mixture of various SPC granules. These color masterbatches are custom and produced precisely as per the requirement of the project and the customer.

Colorants are further classified into several categories such as organic dyes, organic pigments, and inorganic pigments. 

You should note that dyes can be used for transparent coloration as they are soluble in plastics whereas pigments remain intact in their original particle form inside the plastic which is why they need to be dispersed within the plastic.

Some of the most commonly used organic pigments are phthalocyanine red, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, light fast red, macromolecular red, macromolecular yellow, permanent violet, azo red, etc., and inorganic pigments are cadmium yellow, titanium dioxide, carbon black, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, etc. 

The following table enlists some of the properties of the colorants:

A carrier is one of the most essential components of color masterbatches and it serves as the base material to hold and disperse the colorants uniformly throughout the plastic. 

Want more information on functional masterbatch? Feel free to contact us.

A carrier in a color masterbatch acts as a dispersion medium that ensures that the colorants are uniformly blended with the polymer. In addition, carriers provide compatibility with the polymer which enables easy processing. 

There are several types of carriers and they are chosen as per application and compatibility with the target polymer. Let’s understand the various types of carriers: 

• Polyethylene Carriers: These types of carriers are widely compatible with a range of polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and more. They are versatile and suitable for various processing methods, such as extrusion, blow, and injection molding.
• Polypropylene Carriers: These carriers exhibit excellent thermal stability and are thus employed in applications that require high-temperature processing.
• Polyvinyl Chloride Carriers: These carriers ensure effective dispersion and color retention in polyvinyl chloride applications.
• Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Carriers: They are primarily employed for soft and flexible applications.

Dispersants in color masterbatches avoid the flocculation of pigments and dyes. They promote uniform dispersion of the colorant. To ensure that there is no agglomerate, the following should be noted: 

• The melting point of the dispersant is lower than that of the resin
• It should be compatible with resin
• The dispersant should have a good affinity with the pigment. 

Some of the most commonly employed dispersants in color masterbatches are polyethylene low-molecular wax and stearate.

Black and white color masterbatches are common color masterbatches that have a high functional value. 

A white masterbatch is often used to create plastic parts with coating and laminations whereas a black masterbatch is employed to manufacture black-colored products. You should note that black color masterbatch can also be designed for a wide range of color depth and crystallization.

Color Master Batching requires skilled expertise to produce high-quality parts. It is crucial to understand the various aspects of the technique so that the specific requirements of your project are met. 

While we are more focused on injection molding and tooling, we also cater to various services such as prototyping, retail assembly, and more. You can connect with us for any query, and our team of experts will connect with you. 

Your products deserve to stand out from the crowd.  With liquid polymer colorants or solid color masterbatches from Avient, you can rest assured that they will.

Our collaborative process gives you the flexibility and authority you need to achieve the colors and special effects that will dazzle your customers and spur sales. We will work with you to quickly and efficiently formulate solutions and manufacture prototypes to speed your innovations from the drawing board to your customers. Backed by our world-class services, we can help you differentiate your product and give you a competitive edge.

Are you interested in learning more about red masterbatch? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!