Additive masterbatch plastic functions as the modifier that alters the natural properties of the base plastic in order to meet the raising requirements of customers as well as to bring more profits to the manufacturers. Additive masterbatch plastic varies in type, quality, composition, color and function. Here are several commonly used additive masterbatches with their main functions and applications.
Filler masterbatch plastic – a multi-purpose in plastic additives world
Filler masterbatch plastic is the most popular material in the polymer industry. Low production costs, easy-to-find and cheap raw materials, multiple purposes and suitable to be applied in various industries and fields are the most prominent features of it. Filler masterbatches (also called compound CaCO3, taical, calpet) consist of calcium carbonate fine powder (accounted for 70 – 80%), carrier resin, additives and colorants. Not only versatile, compound CaCO3 also brought various benefits to both manufacturers and consumers such as increasing productivity, lowering down final products’ prices and especially, improving various properties on the products.
Adding masterbatch plastic to reduce several harmful physical effects during usage
The group of masterbatch plastic is diverse in type and kinds. Some common name in this group can be listed as antistatic, anti-block, anti-fog, anti-skid, etc. Antistatic masterbatches offer the possibility in which the static charges are dissipated, thus avoiding electrostatic charging in the surface of final products. Antistatic additive is widely used in making electronic components, power cables and wires, antistatic packaging and films, automotive accessories, etc.
Anti-fog additives limit the formation of water drops on both internal and external surfaces of the blown films caused by water condensation in humid environment meanwhile anti-block masterbatch plastic prevents the “blocking” state (the adhesion of layers of blown films placed in stacks) in the plastic film surfaces. Anti-skid (also called anti-slip) masterbatches, in the different way, are used to enhance the coefficient of friction between blown plastic films or sheets.
Besides, there is another additive called Expanders and Sliders. Expanders are used to reduce weight of final products as well as to provide better dielectric properties of raw materials, thus the thermal and acoustic insulation is improved. On the other hand, Sliders are used to reduce friction on the surface of plastic film/sheet and as consequence, make them split onto each other easier.
Additive masterbatch plastic provides various mechanical improvements to the products
The mineral fillers masterbatch plastic group includes numerous types that differ from each other due to its compositions, mainly rely on the added compound. The most well-known mineral fillers masterbatch is the calcium carbonate compound, followed by sodium sulphate filler masterbatch, barium sulphate filler masterbatch and talc filler masterbatch. All of these masterbatches share the common feature that is their main ingredients (which accounted the vast majority of input materials) is a mineral compound. Although each of these additives own distinct properties (due to different chemical and structural nature), they all contributed in the mechanical improvement such as roughness, stiffness and dimensional stability besides their main function is to reduce the production costs by replacing partly an amount of required primary resin.
Beside mineral fillers, we also have the flow auxiliaries masterbatch plastic (improve productivity in extrusion), breathables (mainly used in hygienic products like diapers and sanitary napkins), impact modifiers (help final products withstand impacts with strong intensity.
Masterbatch plastic can alter chemical properties of plastic and makes it more durable
Masterbatch plastic serving as the chemical modifiers have significant role in the masterbatch’s world. Antioxidants and UV stabililizers are two outstanding products in this group. Both masterbatches is used with the same purpose is prolonging the durability of final products. However, they do it in different ways. Antioxidants prevent or retard the degradation of resins during the processing caused by heat and oxygen presence while UV stabililizers protect plastic products form harmful effects caused by UV radiation in the direct sunlight.