Introduction
White filler masterbatch, accounting for an approximately USD 350 million share in 2022, is one of the leading types of filler masterbatch. This is likely because not only reduces environmental impact and cuts costs, but it also helps the final product achieve the aesthetic purpose while still fully retaining the durable characteristics of plastic.
All of them are not the same, let alone their distinction can fluctuate very differently to every need. This guide will lead you to five common types of white filler masterbatch, including the advantages, the diverse applications across various industries.
1. Types of White Filler Masterbatch
1.1. Sodium Sulfate (Na2SO4)
Enhance product appeal and functionality with white filler masterbatch solutions
Good dispersion, high durability, strong mechanics and even environmental friendliness are the keywords when it comes to Sodium Sulfate (Na2SO4) white fillers.
Sodium Sulfate is often used in the form of a crystalline solid powder, with high water solubility. Plastic products utilizing this white filler will ensure high transparency and excellent gloss. In addition, in certain cases, this filler can be used as a filler in mixtures to create LLDPE, LDPE, HDPE and PP plastic products while still maintaining output quality.
Plastic manufacturers today use transparent masterbatch as a solution to save production costs and enhance the mechanical properties of the product. Most applications, like film blowing and molding pipes, use Sodium Sulfate as a way to keep them strong, stable, and shiny.
1.2. Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) powder is mixed with virgin plastic and some additives, brought to high heat, and then cooled. The mixture is subsequently extruded and chopped into beads, creating a white filler masterbatch.
Yet, these natural white beads cannot maintain sufficient whiteness in plastic. CaCO3 dispersion can be challenging, and its whiteness alone may not be as bright as TiO2. That’s when manufacturers come up with a solution adding titanium dioxide to increase opacity and improve dispersion, ultimately overall physical and chemical properties.
As plastic becomes a vital role in every aspect of life, these beads have evolved from mere fillers to crucial additives. They now are a unique additive that delivers good opacity and dimensional stability while being cost-effective.
1.3. Talc (Mg3Si4O10(OH)2)
Talc, a naturally occurring mineral, composed of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. While environmentalists are raising concerns about shortage of raw materials, this solution will come in handy, not only tackling the product visual but also making it more valuable in the consumer market.
With Talc incorporated in plastic manufacturing, the end products can last longer with enhanced properties: harder, more transparent, more durable and resistant to deformation. Further enhancing the goods' functionality, it also acts as a lubricant, smoothing agent, anti-stick, and antifreeze.
White filler masterbatch can create a canvas for clear and durable branding on your plastic products
The use of talc can eliminate surface defects and imperfections, bringing out a high-quality appearance. This low-cost and attractive solution is a must-go for manufacturers who are looking for ways to reduce production expenses.
Talc is also compatible with most traditional manufacturing processes such as blow molding, injection molding, extrusion, and molding. Therefore, equipment or technology upgrades are not required.
1.4. Barium Sulfate (BaSO4)
Nano-sized Barium sulfate masterbatch blended with specific additives, sided with pure resin as a carrier, with or without fine powder for surface treatment, making a new white filler.
The presence of Barium sulfate is crucial; it is an inorganic compound existing in solid crystalline form, white in color. In nature, it is easily found in barium minerals, but they are not pure at that point. This compound is odorless and insoluble in both water and alcohol. It only dissolves in highly concentrated sulfuric acid. Usage ratios range from 1% to 10% depending on the type and product requirements.
Barium sulfate masterbatch is often produced in large quantities with superior features. Additionally, the product exhibits good gloss performance, barrier properties, smoothing, and dispersion characteristics.
1.5. Recycled Filler Masterbatch
In 2023, a
research found that waste eggshell can be potentially used to alternate CaCO3 in white fillers. They have conducted experiments and put out the use of eggshell and CaCO3 in comparison.
Results proved that the addition of waste eggshell filler, up to 10%, can improve the tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength of the composites. However, the water absorption of the composites also increased with higher filler content, bringing up a minor concern to overall material performance in the long run.
The study suggested that eggshells can be a viable solution when limestone supplies are restricted but how to fully use them may depend on the specific application requirements.
2. Benefits of Using White Filler Masterbatch
Achieve optimal opacity without sacrificing budget with white filler masterbatch.
So, why white filler masterbatch. They didn't put themselves here for no reason. As we know, besides the whitening main mission of these fillers, they have already done some side quests that we may not even have noticed.
The white filler plays its most powerful role in masking the natural opaque color of the pure resin, providing a perfect bright white coating to the final product.
This uniform and stable white coating is created most effectively using premium titanium dioxide (TiO2) combined with other additives. Applications such as packaging materials and consumer goods, where a pure, brilliant white appearance is sought, will especially benefit from this.
Compared to stockpiling large amounts of virgin plastic, incorporating white fillers can optimize the selection of derivative materials, thereby optimizing production costs.
One of the common white fillers, CaCO3 stone powder is a high-quality resource and large reserves around the world. Therefore, this stable supply chain minimizes long-term logistical cost pressures, eventually reducing final costs and increasing competitiveness in the market.
Overall, they help increase the mechanical properties of the product: Increase hardness, flexibility, reduce shrinkage rate.
Also, the uniform color distribution is important to all plastic products. By precisely dosing and dispersing white masterbatch in the base polymer, manufacturers can easily remove the possibility of color changes during the manufacturing process.
In addition, the ability to enable even heat distribution for film blowing and spinning products helps reduce bubbles on the plastic surface throughout the production process, limiting minor faux from happening.
- Embracing Creativity and Versatility
External factors are always the most unpredictable enemies for outdoor plastic products, so requirements for these products are always changing.
And in this aspect, white fillers can be fluctuated easily. The white filler composition can be easily adjusted due to its high compatibility with a variety of plastic substrates. For example, the product is supplemented with a white filler containing titanium dioxide particles, which provides excellent UV protection, helping the overall longevity and integrity of the product when continuously exposed to the sun.
3. Applications of White Filler Masterbatch Across Industries
3.1. Packaging
White filler masterbatch offers a balanced solution between aesthetics, functionality, and efficiency
When talking about the application of plastic, the first thing definitely is the packaging field. Not only does it make the final product aesthetically pleasing, but it also enhances packaging functionality and perfects high quality and performance.
- Improved Food Safety: Some white fillers, such as titanium dioxide, can limit UV rays, forming a shield to protect foods sensitive to UV rays. Together with some additives such as Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers (HALS), UV Absorbers (benzotriazoles, benzophenones), Antioxidants, Nano-Clay, UV resistance can be multiplied.
- Enhanced Product Visibility: White filler helps the packaging take on an opaque white layer, giving the packaging a neat and professional appearance, allowing branding elements and product information on the packaging to take center stage.
- Cost-Effective Opacity: The additives in white masterbatch typically less expensive than pure resin. Additionally, the filler masterbatch is pre-dispersed, which means that the filler particles are evenly distributed in the carrier resin. This avoids the need for additional processing processes such as mixing and distributing coarse fillers in virgin resin throughout the manufacturing process.
Example:
- White milk bottles and food containers
- Opaque pouches for dry goods (pasta, rice, snacks)
- Pharmaceutical and medical packaging (where product visibility is not essential)
3.2. Textile
The range of fields with products made from calcium carbonate nonwoven fabrics is very large, from medical and personal care to hygiene, geotextiles (support with filtration, separation, and reinforcement, used in civil engineering applications like drainage and erosion control).
White filler masterbatch ensures consistent color and opacity throughout your fabric.
The production of fiber and non-woven materials requires a complex process that calls for certain raw ingredients with a high dispersion quality. The grades of the white masterbatch are specifically formulated with regard to heat stabilization, TiO2 content, and carrier resin for specific uses.
The benefits of using fillers in nonwoven fabric production include:
- Reduces the gloss effect, enhancing the covering ability of the fabric structure
- Creates a natural white layer, improving the fabric's covering power
- Enhances thermal conductivity and mechanical strength
3.3. Construction
White fillers can help make building more efficient over time:
- Reduced Shrinkage: In some cases, specific fillers can contribute to reducing the shrinkage rate of plastics during processing. This will improve dimensional accuracy and minimize product warping, potentially leading to more functionalities.
- Weather Resistant: White fillers can provide some additional UV protection, potentially contributing to the overall weather resistance of a product. This can help slow down the degradation of plastics caused by sunlight exposure in outdoor applications.
Sustainable white filler masterbatch reduces environmental footprint without compromising performance.
Example:
- White PVC pipes for plumbing and drainage systems
- White window and door profiles made of uPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride)
- Opaque white roofing sheets made of materials like PVC or polypropylene
- White plastic components for building facades and cladding
4. Conclusion
White fillers are increasingly valuable fundamentals in the plastics industry. The benefits they provide cannot be overlooked for plastic manufacturers looking to better their operations. Understanding the characteristics of these types of fillers will help you flexibly use them between different projects.
5. About EuroPlas’ filler masterbatch
As a 17-year leading company in plastic manufacturing, EuroPlas is dedicated to providing solutions which can elevate your products.
The high-quality products we’ve been formulating for years by experts with deep knowledge of white filler masterbatch. Meet us and find the right white fillers solution for your work
Shall we have a look at our proudly white filler masterbatch, which has been heavily experimented and developed:
- PE Filler Masterbatch: enhance stability in the manufacturing process while offering a cost-effective alternative to PE resins in applications like shopping bags, food packaging, and PP woven bags.
- PP Filler Masterbatch: streamline production by enhancing process stability and boosting end-product qualities like brightness, opacity, and reduced shrinkage.
- HIPS Filler Masterbatch: offer high whiteness, excellent dispersion, compatibility, and impressive impact strength for easy punching, sawing, and cutting.
And there’s more to go. Contact EuroPlas today!
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