Plastic Colorant AndIts Role In
Plastic Industry
If we talk about plastic industry, then one of the most important
aspects of this trade is giving the plastic its bright and attractive
color. A plastic colorant is used for this purpose. These plastic
colorants are available in the form of dyes and pigments.
3.
If we talkabout the dyes that are used in plastic industries, then
one thing needs to be kept in mind is that these dyes should be
strong enough to show good heat stability. Along with that these
must be transparent. Because of their chemical nature, the dyes
are of limited use in the industry as they may react with the
resins to show some unwanted results. The dyes are used for
giving shade to a resin. Dyes are used with polycarbonates,
polystyrene, acrylic polymers generally because of their strength
and transparent nature.
4.
Now talking aboutpigments, titanium dioxide is one of the most
widely used pigments in plastic industry used to make the plastic
more white bright and strong. Pigments are a better choice as
compared to dyes for use with polyefins as dyes tend to migrate
in polyefins. And with their opacifying ability and broader
chroma, they are preferred over dyes as a colorant. The nature
of pigment is also a very huge factor. Depending upon the
processing temperature requirements, the choice of organic or
inorganic pigments is made. The choice of the colorant however,
depends upon the base resin that is going to be used in
manufacturing the plastic to avoid any color shift.
5.
Another important thingthat determines the choice of the colorant
is the application of the plastic. If the plastic is going to be used
in food industry, then toxicity needs to be checked.
6.
Thus we seethat the choice of coloring agent depends upon a
combination of various factors. And a slight miscalculation in the
choice can alter the properties of the plastic and prove to be
very harmful for the industry. Hence, the choice of a colorant
becomes so vital. The fact that a good selection of the colorant
can even enhance the functionality makes it even a more
important task to choose a colorant.
And keeping in mind that color is such an integral part of the
plastic, without which the attractiveness of plastic is completely
lost, the process of giving the plastic a color must be dealt with
very carefully. And that is the only reason why industries spend
millions of dollars in their research and development
departments to select the best combination of polymers and
colorant.
7.
Thus we seethat the choice of coloring agent depends upon a
combination of various factors. And a slight miscalculation in the
choice can alter the properties of the plastic and prove to be
very harmful for the industry. Hence, the choice of a colorant
becomes so vital. The fact that a good selection of the colorant
can even enhance the functionality makes it even a more
important task to choose a colorant.
And keeping in mind that color is such an integral part of the
plastic, without which the attractiveness of plastic is completely
lost, the process of giving the plastic a color must be dealt with
very carefully. And that is the only reason why industries spend
millions of dollars in their research and development
departments to select the best combination of polymers and
colorant.
