Antiblock Masterbatches | Additive Masterbatches

Antiblock Masterbatches

Color, Combi or Additive Masterbatches (including antiblock masterbatches) with solid or liquid carriers aim to color (colored masterbatches) or to confer other properties (additive masterbatches) to plastics.

Masterbatch is a concentrated mixture of pigments and / or additives encapsulated during a heating process in a carrier resin that is cooled and cut into a granular form. The Masterbatch allows the transformer to color natural polymer economically during the plastics transformation process.

The alternatives to the use of masterbatches are the purchase of a composite raw material (which may imply an increase in cost and less flexibility, for example, product color variability), or the mixing of raw materials on site (process potentially problematic with regard to the total dispersion of dyes and additives and prone to mandatory acquisition of materials in excess of the necessary ones). Compared to pure pigments, masterbatches require more storage space with longer delivery times.

As masterbatches are already pre-mixed compositions, their use avoids problems of agglomeration of additives or dyes as well as problems of dispersion. The use of masterbatches allows the transformer to acquire a smaller number of degrees of polymer, thus providing conditions for the purchase of raw material in scale.

Masterbatches can be highly concentrated (compared to the final blend), with high “reduction rates”. A 25 kg bag can process a ton of raw material. The relatively diluted nature of materbatches, when compared to raw additives, allows greater precision in the dosing of small quantities of high cost components. The compact nature of the solid masterbatch grains eliminates dust problems, which are inherent in refined solid additives.

Solid masterbatches do not contain solvents and subsequently tend to have a longer service life if they are not evaporated. The masterbatch usually contains 40-65% of additive, but the range can reach values between 15-80% in extreme cases.

The carrier of the masterbatch can be based on a wax (universal vehicle) or on a specific polymer, identical or compatible with the polymer to be transformed to transform. For example, EVA or LDPE can be used as a carrier for polyolefins and nylon, polystyrene can be used as a carrier for ABS, SAN and sometimes polycarbonates.

When a carrier of the masterbatch is incompatible with the raw material, the masterbatch can modify the properties of the transformed material, so whenever necessary, the transformer must specify the characteristics of the raw material.

The percentage of use of masterbatches in relation to the raw material is between 1 and 5%. Several masterbatches (color and additive (s)) can be combined. The transformation equipment is usually fed with raw material and masterbatch. The homogenization of both materials is verified at the end of the machine’s spindle stroke.

Sometimes the system is prone to adverse effects such as the separation of the masterbatch from the raw material in the machine hopper. The masterbatch can also be added directly to the machine’s spindle, as a free-flowing solid or, in the case of a liquid masterbatch via a peristaltic pump. The use of liquid masterbtches allows obtaining highly accurate dosages in addition to rapid color changes between productions.

Masterbatches can be used in most processes, except rotational molding, Plastisol and other liquid resin systems.

Antiblock Masterbatches

In all kind of plastic films for flexible packaging and industrial applications, antiblocking properties are very important for further handling, converting and retail. Plastic layers tend to stick together. The addition of an antiblocking agent creates space between 2 plastic layers (surface roughness) preventing so-called blocking. Mostly antiblocking agents are used in multilayer structure films in order to have the highest benefit. Some antiblocking particles are acting as non-migrating slipping agent.

Antiblocking agents are solid particles and can be classified as follows :

Source : natural – synthetic
Type : organic – inorganic
Form and size : irregular – spherical shape

The selection of an antiblocking masterbatch type is depending of the required film properties, applications and polymer used:

Antiblocking performance
Optical properties (haze, gloss, transparency)
Slip properties
Surface roughness
Scratch resistance
Filtration/dispersion

Typical properties by using Polybatch® ANTIBLOCK:

Facilitates winding-up
Allows smooth unwinding and slitting of the reels
Regulates the slip- and antistatic properties
Reduce friction between films
Increase output of packaging lines

Types of Antiblocks

Natural antiblocking agent

Synthetic silica

Organic particle

Film surface with antiblock