IR Barriere Masterbatches | Additive Masterbatches

IR Barriere Masterbatches

Color, Combi or Additive Masterbatches (including anti ir barriere 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.

IR Barriere Masterbatches

The use of our specialized infrared barrier additive systems allows the control of the climatic conditions inside plastic greenhouses such as those of small and large tunnels.

The appropriate additive system can be chosen to allow an increase of the overnight temperatures in temperate climates, commonly referred to as thermic films, as well as a reduction of daytime temperatures in hotter climes, referred to as referred to as near infrared reflectors. These modified conditions allow for optimum growing conditions which allow the producer to extend the season, increase yields and maximize profit.

LyondellBasell has developed specialized masterbatches both for thermic films and for near infrared reflectors. We supply high-performance infrared barrier masterbatch which offers excellent thermic properties in large and small greenhouse plastic film tunnels, and outstanding optical film properties. For hotter climes we have developed masterbatches with near infrared reflector properties with excellent optical properties that eliminates the need for whitewash.

These masterbatches can be combined with some of our UV stabilizer packages to provide a integrated solution in agricultural applications.