Polymer

Spectra offer a variety of polymer specific masterbatches including:

Polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE)

HDPE - Slightly opaque white appearance used extensively in rigid bottle packaging, injection moulded caps and closures, crates etc. Its inherent whiteness can restrict the level of transparency achievable.

LDPE - Slightly clearer than HDPE and far more flexible, mostly used for flexible packaging, carrier bags, flexible tubes, film applications etc. Like HDPE it has restricted transparent properties.

Polypropylene (PPHO PPCO)

PPCO & PPHO - Fairly clear polymer used in caps and closures. Also used to manufacture Houseware products, buckets toys and storage boxes. Polypropylene is flexible with no real restrictions to colour or effects. Random Copolymer is clearer than Homopolymer and more suitable for translucent colours.

Block Copolymer - PPCO but modified for greater impact strength. The additive turns the polymer white giving it a high level of opacity. This can restrict the transparency achievable.

Polystyrene (GPPS, HIPS)

GPPS - General-purpose polystyrene. Glass clear but with very little impact strength it is most commonly used in CD cases. Its high level of clarity makes it good for translucent colours although an occasional violet tint can be visible.

HIPS - High impact polystyrene. GPPS with impact modifier in to give greater impact strength. This additive turns the polymer white, various grades giving different levels of opacity. Generally used for games pieces, toys etc. Its high level of whiteness makes translucent colours difficult to achieve. Specialist versions such as K-Resin and Styrolux are available on the market to give the same translucency as GPPS.

Styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN)

Styrene acrylonitrile copolymer - Transparent and with excellent chemical resistance, heat resistance and gloss, SAN also has good rigidity, tensile and flexural strength. Due to its high gloss appearance, SAN tends to be used in cosmetic packaging applications. SAN can cause problems when colouring in light tints due to the violet dyestuffs present in it. These are used to visually 'clean it up' when manufactured

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

ABS - A tougher version of HIPS used in components with a higher added value. ABS is more durable than components manufactured in HIPS although it shares its difficulties in matching translucent colours. Like HIPS specialist translucent grades are available. Some grades of ABS have a 'yellowness' that can affect colour matching.

Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)

EVA - Fairly flexible material with good impact strength although it has limited heat stability. Applications include co-extruded, heat-sealed layers and a variety of shrink-wrapping applications

Polyacetals (POM)

POM - Polyacetals are used in engineering applications such as machine parts, aerosol valves, coil formers, clock and watch parts. Acetal, as it is more commonly known, is very rigid with spring-like qualities. Like HIPS it has an inherent whiteness, which turns it opaque, making translucent colours difficult to achieve.

Polyethylene-terephthalate (PET)

PET - Polyesters are mechanically very strong and have good chemical resistance and barrier properties. Common uses are carbonated drinks bottles in addition polyester can be spun and used to make textiles for clothes. PET is very clear which makes it good for translucent packaging although a slight 'yellowness' can affect very light tints.

Polyethylene-terephthalate Co-polymer (PETG)

PETG - PET but with glycol added to give better flow properties but does not have the same strength. It can be extruded to form bottles and into sheets to make 'blister' type packaging.

For customers wanting to use our masterbatch in a variety of polymers, or in materials such as Nylon and Polycarbonate we also offer a universal base masterbatch.