The additive masterbatch industry has several types of ingredients and their properties. In this article, we’ll explore the most important types of additives and how to select them. You can also learn about fire-retardant and foaming additives. Listed below are some of the companies involved in the additive masterbatch industry. They are: PolyOne Corporation, Plastiblends India Ltd., Tosaf Group, Polyplast Muller GmbH, DOW Corning Corporation, Clarant AG, Ampacet Corporation, and others.

Antimicrobial additives

One of the benefits of using antimicrobial additives in plastics manufacturing is the ability to extend product life. Even if the final product experiences some structural degradation, the antimicrobial agent remains in place. Antimicrobial masterbatch is used for the same reason as other additives in plastics manufacturing. Its added value is not limited to the antimicrobial property of the final product, but rather is used to ensure that products remain sanitary at all times.

Companies that provide masterbatches have the advantage of being able to customize the compounds for specific applications. One example is Microban, a world leader in built-in antimicrobial technologies. Its custom chemistries inhibit the growth of gram positive and gram negative bacteria. These additives are incorporated into plastic products at the point of manufacture, providing ongoing protection to the product throughout its lifetime. Microban is committed to helping manufacturers create new products that meet the needs of customers.

Antimicrobial masterbatches are a revolutionary type of additives that control the growth of bacteria and fungi on plastic surfaces. These additives are added to the formulation as other ingredients, enhancing its quality and performance. They are suitable for most polymers, reducing the likelihood of physical degradation and inhibiting undesirable odors. Antimicrobial masterbatches are especially useful for plastic bedposts, garments, and medical devices.

CESA-antimicro masterbatches are pelletized antimicrobial solutions. They contain high concentrations of antimicrobials and colorants that are evenly dispersed in a carrier resin. Microban International has partnered with ALOK to develop a masterbatches that contain registered antimicrobials. These products, such as SilverShield, can be safer and easier to store than the base antimicrobials.

GermsClean from Ampacet is one of the leading antimicrobial solutions in masterbatch. This additive can provide long-term protection from harmful microbes while improving the properties of plastic packaging, molded components, and fibers. Its unique silver-based additive technology slows the growth of molds, inhibiting the metabolism of the microbes, breaking down their cell walls and interfering with their reproduction.

Fire-retardant additives

One of the most important aspects of any FR additive is its dispersion. Flame-retardant masterbatches include these ingredients. This ensures the flame retardancy and physical properties of the finished product. Furthermore, they can be transferred easily with pneumatic conveyors, resulting in a cleaner, more efficient manufacturing plant. These properties make it an excellent choice for applications requiring low production volumes.

Americhem offers a wide range of halogen-free and non-halogenated flame-retardant additives. The flame-retardant properties of this product are consistent with those of its parent material. Its halogen-free formulation ensures compliance with European flame retardance classifications. The flame-retardant qualities of the Masterbatch are not affected by the presence of flame-retardant additives, and the additives can be added at a rate of eight to fifteen percent.

MB PP P RED 60 is a halogen-free flame-retardant masterbatch. It is compatible with both copolymer and homo-PP PP. Its dispersion in the receiving compound is easy. Another phosphorus-based flame-retardant is GC DOPO HQ, which is used in engineering polymers and epoxy resins. It can also be used as a raw material for synthesis.

Some of the most common types of flame-retardant additives in plastics include aluminum, magnesium hydroxide, and bromine. Aluminum and magnesium flame retardants work by trapping high-energy free radicals. By doing so, they cool down the process, reducing the production of flammable gasses. Bromine flame retardants are the most cost-effective flame-retardants for plastics, since they require less loading than metal hydroxides. In addition, bromine flame-retardants allow the resin to retain its mechanical properties – especially in polyethylene films.

ATH and MDH both have synergistic effects with each other. By combining these two fire-retardant additives, they can lower the overall filler levels, while improving their fire performance. As an added bonus, these additives are also more cost-effective and can reduce the overall filler content in a masterbatch. Aside from that, they can also be surface-treated to improve their efficiency.

Thermal stabilizer additives

The use of thermal stabilizer additives in masterbatch formulations can help the final product exhibit superior mechanical properties. FT-IR spectra showed that the peaks exhibited by the additives matched those of the blends without any additives. Further, the results show that the additives are not responsible for thermal degradation. In this study, three different types of compatibilizing additives were incorporated into PC/PA blends, based on olefin-maleic anhydride copolymers.

Heat stabilizers are chemicals that protect polymers from degradation during high-temperature processing. These chemicals range from purely organic chemicals to complex organometallic compounds. The most common polymer that receives heat-stabilizer additives is PVC. PVC copolymers are especially protected by this technology, as are chlorinated polyethylene. Several other types of plastics benefit from the addition of heat-stable additives, including thermoplastic polymers.

Anti-static plastic additives help reduce the static charge on the masterbatch membrane and other surfaces. They minimize dusk-sticking and suction problems. They also make the plastic whiter. These additives provide a more aesthetic and durable product. The cost-saving benefits of thermal stabilizers in masterbatch formulations are well worth the extra expense. The use of thermal stabilizer additives in masterbatch is growing rapidly, so integrating them into your manufacturing process will help you reduce costs and improve productivity.

The most important thermal stability additive is a PEG. Polycarbonate additives have an MFI of about 1.7 grams per minute at 190 degrees C. PEG and polyethylene additives such as PE waxes can also reduce viscosity and improve melt flow. Further, thermal stabilizers can help the masterbatch to become more flexible and resistant to temperature changes. These additives have two main roles: to stabilize the plastic during processing and to reduce the risk of thermal shock during molding.

The final thermoplastic compound may contain a thermoplastic resin, a heat-sensitive functional additive, and optional additives. The combinations are listed in Table 2. The let-down ratios for the thermoplastic resin and the thermal stabilizer additives are varied from two to four hundred to five hundred to one to about 0.25 LDR. The use rate and desired final loading will influence the exact ratio. In both cases, thermal stabilizer additives are essential in the manufacturing process.

Foaming additives

Foaming additives in a masterbatch are used to produce a foaming effect. The composition of foaming agent masterbatch can include clay or carbon black. The use of foaming additives in a masterbatch can help in improving the uniformity of the properties of the foaming effect. Here are some of the important aspects of foaming agents. We’ll go through some of these in more detail below.

For instance, Clariant provides HYDROCEROL chemical foaming agents that enable the production of a slender and stable foam. These additives reduce the amount of resin required, part weight, and overall plastic content in a masterbatch. Clariant foaming agents also help packaging producers develop more sustainable containers, while enhancing their recyclability and reusability. And, since foam is a critical component of a masterbatch, they are useful for improving packaging performance.

These agents also reduce the surface tension of the liquid and form stable, uniform, high-density foam. These additives can be added to any extrusion process, and they give the mixture a uniform cellular structure. This result allows extrusion lines to run faster and reduce densities. Foamazol CFAs are effective in achieving all of these benefits. In fact, the use of Foamazol CFAs in a masterbatch can increase the rate of production.

Chemical foaming agents include Foamazol ™ 10 and PBE. Foamazol(tm) 10 is designed for use in both types of rotational molding processes. Foamazol(tm) 10 provides excellent foam expansion, smooth surface, and fine cellular structures in single stage applications. Foamazol(tm) 11 is specifically for foamed rotational molding applications. It is supplied as white pellets for use with LDPE powder resin.

Foaming agent masterbatch includes a first portion of thermo-expandable microspheres and a second portion of PBE and a carrier polymer. The first portion of PBE and the second portion of thermo-expandable microspheres constitute a majority of the total plastomer. The remainder of the masterbatch contains the remaining plastomer and PBE.