What are the different types of Masterbatches?

1. White Masterbatch
2. Black Masterbatch
3. Color Masterbatch
4. Additive Masterbatch
5. Filler Masterbatch

1) White Masterbatch

White Masterbatch is mostly made from TiO2 (titanium dioxide) which is either rutile or anatase. TiO2 is the best whitener available however there are cheaper alternatives like barium sulphate, lithopone and calcium carbonate which can be used either directly or in combination with TiO2 to make a cheaper white Masterbatch. Maximum loading of TiO2 gives the best opacity results as TiO2 has the highest coloring power amongst other whiteners. Best loadings known in the industry are a Masterbatch with 75 - 80% pure TiO2 (for PE carrier). For Engineering plastics, it is better to have lesser loadings of TiO2 in the carrier resin.

2) Black Masterbatch

Black Masterbatch is made with carbon black pigment. Here too several grades of carbon are available for the type of application for which the Black Masterbatch is prepared. Maximum loading possible of carbon in a PE carrier is 50%. For engineering plastics it is difficult to load beyond 30%.

3) Colour Masterbatch

Colour Masterbatches are made in several forms depending on the aesthetic required for the type of plastic it is being made for. These are the possibilities - opaque, transparent, translucent, special effects, etc. Color masterbatches uses TiO2, Organic Pigments, Inorganic Pigments, Dyes, Additives, etc depending on the application and the resin which they are designed for.

4) Additive Masterbatches

Additive Masterbatches can be of several types namely -

1. Slip Masterbatches
2. Anti-block Masterbatches
3. Polymer Processing Aid Masterbatches
4. Anti-static Masterbatches
5. UV Stabiliser Masterbatches including Green House Film Masterbatches
6. Nucleating & Clarifying Agent Masterbatches
7. Anti-Warp Masterbatches
8. Chemical Foaming Agent Masterbatches (Exothermic & Endothermic)
9. Anti-sink Masterbatches for Sink mark removal
10. Antimicrobial Masterbatches
11. Foam Nucleators for Expanded Polystyrene and Expanded Polyethylene
12. Anti-fogging Masterbatches
13. Heat stabilizers
14. Flame Retardant packages
15. Stiffening Agents
16. Anti-oxidants
17. Optical brighteners
18. Anti-Counterfeiting
19. Chain Extenders
20. Solar Heat Reflection
21. Infrared Masterbatches

5) Filler Masterbatch

Filler Masterbatches are usually a combination of Talc / CaCO3 and PE resin (LLDPE or LDPE). These can also be made in PP resin. Filler masterbatches provide cost reduction and also depending on the design of the type of filler Masterbatch, offer better properties such as stiffness, anti-fibrilation, etc.

1. What is A Masterbatch and How is it Made?

2. Still did not understand what a Masterbatch is? Here's another definition!

3. How do I obtain the lowest cost of color for my plastics products?

4. What is the difference between a Masterbatch and Precolored Resin?

5. What is the advantage of a Masterbatch as against the traditional and conventional ways of coloring plastics?

6. For what polymers are Masterbatches available?

7. For What type of Plastic Process and Applications can Masterbatches be used in?