COLOURS AND MASTERBATCH | MATERIALS
colour selection, and they are using unique special effects that provide product differentiation,” says Tim Duncan, Global Business Manager – Color Products. “Last but not least, there is a lot of focus on colouring technologies for consumable, one-time-use plastics and how they impact the end-of-life cycle for these products. “Often, new developments are driven by
problems that need to be solved. For example, when manufacturers and moulders discovered that some plastics suffer from colour fade when exposed to sunlight, compounders like RTP Company responded with compounds formulated with UV protection. Today, there is much more focus on the entire life cycle of plastic products, particularly end-of-life for consumables. As such, the plastics industry is looking for more environ- mentally-friendly solutions.” In addition, Duncan adds that in today’s political
environment, compounders are forced to be aware of potential supply disruption and dramatically increased costs. “For example, shortages in Asian market supply are creating challenges for materials that have previously been readily available; this drives new development of replacement products,” he says. “Furthermore, greater regulatory controls are limiting global availability, so a more regional approach to inventory management and relation- ship building is required. Plastic injection moulders are also looking for more all-in-one solutions that solve multiple issues. Because RTP Company engineers understand the chemical make-up of base resins, additives, and the interaction between them, they are able to formulate compounds that serve multiple purposes. For example, they can develop one compound that provides structural integrity, internal lubrication and low warpage, in whatever colour the moulder requests. “Another area of interest is biopolymers, as plastic injection moulders look for more environ- mentally-conscious solutions for consumable or single-use plastics. Historically, biopolymers can be challenging because of their physical performance limitations, such as low impact resistance, thermal resistance and strength. However, RTP Company engineers have improved the performance of biopolymers like PLA by compounding them with impact modifiers, mineral fillers and glass fibres, resulting in materials that can compete with popular fibre reinforced petroleum-based resins.” RTP Company says that it is focused on all-in- one thermoplastic compounds that provide colour and physical property enhancements that are fine-tuned to the application requirements. In addition, it is continuing to develop colour and
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Although carbon fibre compounds are typically used for their strength and light weight advantages, they also have an interesting natural colour and texture that can be used in new ways for aesthetic purposes
masterbatch materials that provide special effects, such as pearlescent and metallic finishes. Most recently, the company released Hueforia 2020, a collection of thermoplastic colour palettes to spark imagination and design ideas for the future. In future developments, Duncan says that RTP
Company will continue to release thermoplastic compounds designed for multiple functionality, such as colour plus another functional property, to meet the increased demand for these materials. “In addition, we use traditional materials that we fully understand mechanically to explore how colour can enhance them, thereby exploiting attributes beyond those that were originally intended,” he says. “For example, carbon fibre compounds have particular performance advantages – and also an unusual look. With our guidance, our customers have successfully used traditional materials in new and exciting ways for purposes of aesthetics rather than simply functionality.” Cabot Corporation cites the most obvious
market needs in colour and masterbatch at present to be flexibility in colouration and reducing impact on mechanical properties when adding specific colour additives such as carbon black. “The market is also seeking the ability to mix and over-colour various polymer and additive types with the increasing use of recycled polymer,” says Sebastian Heitkamp, Global Segment Marketing Manager. “The industry is being influenced by a shift to higher use of recycled materials, as well as the challenge to improve colouristic properties with less colourants. The challenge with recycled material is that most are not pure in their colour, and therefore require additional effort to cover possible defects on the surface. It is also important that colours have a minimal impact on the effect of the desired func-
July/August 2019 | INJECTION WORLD 51
PHOTO: RTP
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