How to choose high-quality color masterbatches for wires and cables?

The wires and cables used in daily life come in various colors. In fact, commonly used cable materials such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PE (polyethylene), and PP (polypropylene) are all white or transparent. Only by mixing color masterbatches and extruding them can the cables present bright colors. Therefore, color masterbatches are the "magicians" that make cables colorful.

Characteristics of color masterbatches

The core of the wire is covered with a plastic insulating layer. Wires and cables include communication cables, power cables, insulated wires, etc. According to the characteristics of the application of wires and cables and the requirements for color masterbatches in the forming process, they have the following features.

1. Color

The standard colors and error values of various cables in the wire and cable industry must comply with certain standards, which is a very important indicator.

2. Electrical energy

Electrical conductivity: To ensure the safe and normal use of positive wires and cables, the color masterbatch used needs to maintain the electrical conductivity that the plastic coating material should have.

3. Heat resistance

When wire and cable masterbatch is used in the molding process, it must be heat-resistant and not change color. It needs to pass the temperature resistance test and the actual application temperature and environment test. Depending on the different resins used, for example, the temperature for PVC resin is a bit lower, and the temperature for HDPE and LDPE resins is a bit higher. Generally, the temperature resistance needs to reach 170-220℃.

4. Dispersibility

The insulation layer of wires and cables is very thin, the extrusion speed is extremely fast, and the quality requirements are high. Therefore, the dispersibility of the color masterbatch is also required to be very high. If the dispersibility of the color masterbatch in the extruded insulation layer is poor and there are color spots, it will cause sparks during use, which will be a great safety hazard.

5. Impurity content

If the color masterbatch for wires and cables contains some salts and metal particles, it may cause breakdown of the wires and cables after they are made and used. Therefore, it is necessary to control the mixture of these impurities, especially conductive impurities.

6. Migration resistance

Food quantity security means that a country or region can produce the dietary needs necessary for the basic survival of its people. It is required that people be able to both purchase and afford the basic food necessary for survival and living.

7. Safety

The metals, halogens and other chemical components in the color masterbatch of wires and cables are all subject to limited control, especially when applied in electronic and electrical appliances.

Masterbatch is a composite material made by uniformly loading an excessive amount of pigment onto resin. It is a special colorant for polymer materials composed of pigments or dyes, carriers, dispersants and additives.

The basic components of color masterbatch are as follows:

1. Pigments or dyes

The pigments in masterbatches are divided into organic pigments and inorganic pigments.

Commonly used organic pigments include: phthalocyanine red, phthalocyanine blue, macromolecular yellow, permanent violet, phthalocyanine green, azo red, etc.

Commonly used inorganic pigments include cadmium red, titanium dioxide, iron oxide yellow, carbon black, etc.

2. Carrier

The carrier is the base of the color masterbatch. According to the different carriers, color masterbatches can be classified into special-purpose and general-purpose color masterbatches.

Specialized color masterbatch: Uses the same resin as the polymer material of the product as the carrier. For example, for PE masterbatch, PE must be used as the carrier.

General-purpose color masterbatch: Low-melting-point PE is commonly used as the carrier. It is used for coloring other polymer materials except its carrier resin.

Compared with the two, the special color masterbatch has the best compatibility. Although the production process of general-purpose color masterbatches is relatively simple, the predictability of their coloring effects is poor and the cost is high, which reduces other properties of the products.

3. Dispersant

Dispersants promote the uniform dispersion of pigments in the resin. The melting point of the dispersant should be lower than that of the carrier resin, and it should have good compatibility with pigments and resins. Polyethylene low-molecular-weight wax and stearate are commonly used dispersants.

4. Additives

Masterbatches generally do not contain additives. According to customer requirements, brighteners, flame retardants, antioxidants, etc. can be added.

Advantages of color masterbatches

Masterbatches make pigments have better dispersibility

During the production process of color masterbatches, pigments need to be refined to enhance their dispersibility and tinting strength. The carrier of the special color masterbatch is the same as the plastic type of the product, which has good compatibility. After heating and melting, the pigment particles can be well dispersed in the plastic product.

2. Masterbatches are conducive to maintaining the stability of chemical pigments

If pigments are directly used in the plastic processing, they will come into direct contact with air during storage and use, causing phenomena such as water absorption and oxidation. However, after being made into masterbatches, the resin carrier can isolate the pigments from air and moisture, and can maintain the chemical stability of the pigments for a long time.

3. Color masterbatches are conducive to maintaining the stability of colors

Masterbatch particles are similar to resin particles, making measurement more convenient and accurate. During mixing, they will not adhere to the container and mix more evenly with the resin, ensuring the stability of the addition amount and thus guaranteeing the color stability of plastic products.

4. Masterbatches are conducive to maintaining the physical properties of the base materials

The proportion of color masterbatch addition is low. After the base raw materials are mixed with color masterbatch, they can be directly injection molded into products, which can largely maintain the physical properties of the base materials.

5. Protect the health of the operators

Because the color masterbatch is in granular form, it can greatly reduce the powder flying during the pigment usage process and protect the health of the operators.

6. Masterbatches can ensure a clean environment and are convenient to use

The advantages of masterbatches include: good dispersibility, low filling amount, mature technology, low cost, and good gloss of the product.