additives feature | Special effect pigments
The condensed structure of Merck’s Iriodin WM 10 leads to a better fl ow behaviour which helps to increase the output
sium, aluminium, silicon and fl uorine, and then melting, crystallizing, cooling, and pulverizing them. Geotech’s Geopearl Crystal product range comprises synthetic mica fl akes coated with metal oxides to create silvery pearlescent and brilliant interference effects. Because of the purity of the fl akes, the lustre of Geopearl Crystal pearlescent pigments is stronger than natural mica-based pigments, the company claims. It adds that price differences between natural and synthetic mica based pearlescent pigments have been steadily falling in recent years as volumes have increased.
high quality of the formulation. BASF’s answer is supplying selected effect pigments
in a dust-free, densifi ed form, which it markets as MagnaPearl DF-70 and Mearlin DF-70 (other effect pigments in BASF’s portfolio can also be applied in the same form). BASF cites signifi cant benefi ts in handling and
processing compared to powder effect pigments. It says that the free fl owing concentrate leads to cost savings through less product losses, less cross-contamination and cleaner working conditions, signifi cantly reducing the cleaning time for dosing and mixing units. Due to its higher density, the concentrate can be
processed more easily, leading to throughput and productivity gains. Moreover the pigment content in masterbatches can be higher and the let-down ratio at the converter lower. Natural mica-based pearlescent pigments are
Geotech’s new Geofi ber micro- fi bres provide more matte, sophisticated marble effects
gradually being replaced by synthetic mica-based pearls, according to one supplier, Geotech. It says synthetic mica fl akes provide a higher transparency and signifi cantly lower levels of impurities. Synthetic mica powder crystals are
manufactured by mixing compounds each containing potassium, sodium, magne-
More recently, Geotech has further extended its offering in special effects with the launch of a range of cellulose-based special effect pigments for plastics. Geofi ber microfi bres are very fi ne particles that are said to provide more matte, sophisticated marble effects than glitter fl akes (which the company also makes). The product range contains six shades: black, brown, red, yellow, green and blue, although only black can be used in food-grade plastics. Each colour is available in two particle sizes: 500 x 17 micron and 500 x 38 micron. The fi bres resist temperatures up to 300°C as well as the levels of shear that may occur during masterbatch production.
At Sun Chemical Performance Pigments, high
performance pigments global product manager Scott Heitzman says that medical, automotive, electronics, as well as 3D-printing, are driving colour trends in plastics. “Fashion-driven colours based on metallic pastels, mineral looks, geometric shapes and extremes from matte to polished metals will be matched with the need to provide effect pigments to colour new materials as well as provide the functionality required,” he says. “Globally, we are also seeing continued growth in high performance and special effect pigments as the replacement of heavy metal pigments continues.” The most common
pearlescents used for plastics fall within 10 basic
colour categories, according to Heitzman: white, interference
gold, red, violet, blue, green, metallic gold, bronze, copper and russet. Work is being done to
develop better ways to colour black and grey and the use of multilevel deposition and synthetic substrates to enhance sparkle with smaller particles sizes. Heitzman highlights some new additions to Sun’s
SunMica range of pearlescent effects. He calls SunMica Deep Black “the truest black pearl in the industry,” with its jet black and “outstanding” sparkle
20 COMPOUNDING WORLD | March 2015
www.compoundingworld.com
SAMPLES PHOTO: FRANCESCA MAPLESTON
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