Special effects | pigments
Better effects for more plastics
Special effect pigments add creativity to plastics compounds, with the latest
introductions extending application to the more demanding engineering
polymers. Mark Holmes finds out more
Advances in pigment technology mean that an increas- ingly wide variety of special effects – from bright metallic lustres and pearlescents through to replicating natural materials – can now be created in plastics. These developments, coupled with improvements in processing technology and thermal stability, are making these creative benefits available over a wider range of polymers, including engineering plastics. “There are two main influences driving new develop- ments in special effects for plastics: technical solutions in processing and new appearance possibilities to meet consumer preferences,” says Doreen Becker, Global Innovation & Insight Senior Manager at Ampacet. “The move to replace metal parts with plastic ones is greater than ever. OEMs are searching for metal replacements that are durable, cost-effective and look the part. Previously plastic parts were often painted to look like metal. Secondary production was costly because it was a two-step process and painted pieces were sometimes damaged in production and the whole piece was either scrapped or needed repainting,” she says. “High-end aluminium pigments that were designed
for inks and coatings could not be used in plastics applications since they contained volatile organic wetting agents that are flammable when exposed to the high-heat conditions of most injection moulded or extruded processes. This meant that the pigment
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manufacturers needed to reformulate these higher performance pigments with less volatile wetting agents that are compatible with most plastics processing equipment. Being able to add special effect pigments to plastics to make them look metallic is a major step forward,” Becker says. Plastic appliances in the home can benefit from
metallic finishes, but they are also subject to fashion trends. “Plastics do not have to look plastic anymore. Household appliances, such as washing machines and tumble dryers, are no longer just required to have functionality. They are now often found in more visible parts of the house. If they are finished in a certain look, then manufacturers can increase their price points. For example, one current trend is for a transparent-frosted look. These are now being used for mini-refrigerators that operate at different temperatures in the house – customised boxes for different products,” says Becker. “Another example is interchangeable replacement parts. A kitchen blender can have a removable outer casing, which allows the consumer to make a style change without the need to buy a new unit. Other current effects that can now be created in plastics include natural wood effects, stone or marble effects to convey strength, or a cork effect where designers want to express value through a sense of rarity,” she adds. Recent introductions from Ampacet include the Geo
Main image: This multi- coloured
holographic effect is the result of a
collaboration between Grafe Group and Schlenk Metallic Pigments
March 2017 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 55
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