In the plastics industry, advanced engineering grade granular compounds obtained by homogeneously encapsulating high concentrations of pigments or chemical additives within a compatible carrier polymer matrix using twin screw extrusion technology to impart color, aesthetics, and specific functional properties to final products are called masterbatch. Unlike powder pigments, these technological granules, which prevent dusting and material loss on production lines, maximize process efficiency by fully harmonizing with the melt flow index and rheological properties of the base polymer.
The masterbatch formulations we manufacture completely eliminate the risk of agglomeration thanks to their low filter pressure value and optimized shear stress tolerance. By penetrating the molecular structure of the polymer at a microscopic level, they preserve mechanical properties such as tensile, tear, and impact strength, while ensuring precise color matching in the CIELAB color space and maximum tinting strength.
Formulated with optimal let down ratios, our black, white, color, and additive masterbatch series are professional engineering solutions that offer high thermal stability, absolute dispersion, and operational consistency in critical sectors such as packaging, automotive, medical, and agriculture. You can contact our expert engineering team for technical support regarding your specific carrier polymer requirements and custom process formulations.
Frequently Asked Questions and Solutions
A technical guide of 50 questions compiled from the field experience of the Colorex engineering team.
What is masterbatch?
It is a granular compound obtained by homogeneously encapsulating a highly concentrated pigment or additive within a compatible carrier polymer via twin-screw extrusion; it is dust-free and easy to dose.
What is the difference between masterbatch and powder pigment?
Masterbatch is dust-free, causes no airborne loss, disperses homogeneously and is easy to dose; powder pigment, on the other hand, brings dusting, health risk and irregular dispersion.
Why is masterbatch better than pigment directly?
Because the pigment is pre-dispersed within the carrier, it provides agglomeration-free, consistent color in the final product and fewer process problems.
What does color masterbatch do?
It gives the plastic the desired color and shade; with precise matching in the CIELAB color space, the brand color is achieved consistently.
What does white masterbatch provide?
Opacity and whiteness through its high TiO2 content; it delivers absolute opacity and a bright white even at low dosage.
Why does black masterbatch contain carbon black?
Carbon black provides deep blackness (jetness) and superior UV protection; high-structure types provide better dispersion and durability.
What is additive masterbatch?
It is masterbatch that concentrates functional additives such as UV stabilizer, antistatic, slip, antiblock and anti-oxidant in a carrier.
What does the carrier polymer determine?
The compatibility of the masterbatch with the base polymer; by selecting a PE carrier for PE and a PP carrier for PP, phase separation and mechanical weakness are prevented.
Does universal (carrier-free) masterbatch work in every polymer?
It works in most polyolefins, but in critical applications a series with the same carrier as the base polymer delivers higher performance.
How is masterbatch dosage determined?
According to color depth, opacity and process type; it is generally dosed gravimetrically between 1-5%, based on the recommendation in the TDS.
How is masterbatch produced?
Pigment/additive, carrier and dispersants are melted in a twin-screw extruder and dispersed with high shear force, then cut into granules.
What is the Filter Pressure Value (FPV)?
It is a test that indicates the dispersion quality in the masterbatch; a low FPV means good dispersion, little filter clogging and trouble-free production.
Why is agglomeration a problem?
Undispersed pigment clusters create color defects, die/filter clogging and mechanical weakness; a good masterbatch prevents this.
In which processes is masterbatch used?
In all thermoplastic processes including injection, extrusion, film blowing, blow molding, fiber spinning and rotational molding.
Why is MFI (melt flow index) compatibility important?
The MFI of the masterbatch and the base polymer must be compatible; incompatibility leads to irregular dispersion and flow problems.
What is masterbatch tinting strength?
The color power delivered by a unit of masterbatch; a high-strength series achieves the target color at a lower dosage, reducing cost.
Why is heat resistance critical in masterbatch?
The pigment must not degrade at the process temperature; a pigment with low heat resistance causes color shift and degradation.
What does light fastness mean in masterbatch?
The pigment's color-protection resistance against sunlight; high fastness is essential for outdoor products.
What is migration fastness?
The property of the pigment remaining without migrating within the polymer; low migration is required for food and neighboring-part safety.
What does a dispersant do in masterbatch?
It wets the pigment in the carrier and distributes it homogeneously; by preventing agglomeration, it increases color yield and surface quality.
How is color matching done?
The target color is measured with a spectrophotometer; a formula is created within the ΔE tolerance in the laboratory and verified in production.
What is the CIELAB (ΔE) tolerance?
It is the measure of the perceived difference between two colors; a low ΔE tolerance means more consistent production faithful to the brand color.
What does the ash content in masterbatch indicate?
The inorganic/filler ratio; low ash means high purity and better performance in fine applications (fiber, thin film).
Is a combination (color+additive) masterbatch possible?
Yes; by combining both color and functional additive in a single granule, ease of dosing and stock is provided.
What are the storage conditions for masterbatch?
A cool, dry environment out of sunlight; moisture-absorbing carriers must be dried before production and stored in their original packaging.
How does moisture affect masterbatch performance?
If a hygroscopic carrier absorbs moisture, silver streaks/bubbles form; drying at 80°C before use is required.
Is a high masterbatch dosage always good?
No; excessive dosage lowers mechanical properties and increases cost, the optimum dosage should be selected according to the TDS.
Does masterbatch change mechanical properties?
A high-quality, well-dispersed masterbatch does not affect them; poor dispersion or excessive filler can reduce strength.
What is effect masterbatch (metallic/pearlescent)?
It is a masterbatch type that provides metallic, pearlescent, fluorescent and transparent aesthetics with special effect pigments.
What does transparent masterbatch do?
It imparts color/additive while preserving transparency; haze is reduced with a clarifier to achieve glass-like clarity.
What is biopolymer masterbatch?
It is masterbatch compatible with biodegradable polymers such as PLA/PBAT and meeting the EN 13432 compostability conditions.
What does nanotechnological masterbatch provide?
With nano additives such as graphene, it raises mechanical strength, conductivity and barrier properties to a superior level.
Why is a twin-screw extruder used in masterbatch production?
By providing high shear force and good mixing, it makes it possible for the pigment to be dispersed in the carrier at a microscopic level.
Why is masterbatch granule size important?
A size compatible with the base polymer granule prevents segregation during feeding, ensuring homogeneous dosing.
What should be done if the color intensity is low?
The dosage is increased or a concentrate series with higher tinting strength is selected; the TDS recommendation is taken as the basis.
How is pigment cost optimized with masterbatch?
By achieving the target color at a low dosage with a high-tinting-strength concentrate masterbatch, the total cost is reduced.
Which standards must food-contact masterbatch comply with?
EU 10/2011, FDA, REACH and RoHS; it must be free of heavy metals and have low migration.
Why does masterbatch being dust-free provide an advantage?
For occupational health and clean production; the respiratory risk of powder pigment and equipment contamination are eliminated.
How does color remain consistent from batch to batch?
Through a standard formula and spectrophotometer control of each lot; the exact same color is achieved on repeat orders.
Is the type of dosing pump important in masterbatch?
Yes; gravimetric (by weight) dosing provides more consistent color and less deviation than volumetric dosing.
What does anti-oxidant masterbatch do?
It stops chain degradation due to heat and oxidation; it prevents yellowing, cracking and loss of strength.
How does UV stabilizer masterbatch work?
With HALS and UV absorber, it delays photo-oxidative degradation; it extends the service life of outdoor products.
What does antistatic masterbatch provide?
By lowering the surface resistivity, it prevents static charge buildup; it eliminates dust attraction and discharge problems.
What does slip masterbatch do?
By lowering the coefficient of friction, it improves film opening and ease of processing.
What does antiblock masterbatch do?
It prevents film layers from sticking to each other; with silica it creates micro-roughness on the surface.
How does odor-removing masterbatch work?
It chemically neutralizes VOC and odor molecules; it is used especially in recycled plastics.
What does conductive masterbatch provide?
Electrical conductivity and EMI shielding with conductive carbon/carbon nanotubes; it is used in ATEX applications.
What is the first step in masterbatch selection?
Determining the base polymer, process type, target color and performance (heat/UV/food) requirements.
How does one apply to Colorex for the right masterbatch?
By applying to our laboratory with the polymer type, process and target color/performance information, you can request samples and the TDS.
Who provides masterbatch consultancy?
Colorex sales and R&D engineers; they determine the optimum series, dosage and formula specific to your application.
Let's find the right solution for your project
Contact our team for sample requests, color matching or technical consultancy.
