PMB to showcase range of additive masterbatches at PDM show
PMB will be exhibiting their latest developments in masterbatch technology at this year's PDM Show (Stand No H42). Committed to providing bespoke solutions to meet customer's requirements, PMB have engineered a range of additive masterbatch to address issues such as, shrinkage and warpage, UV degradation, low temperature cracking, and blocking.
A common problem experienced by food packaging manufacturers is the tendency of plastic sheet and film to 'stick' together. Using de-nesting and anti block agents, PMB have developed a masterbatch that counteracts this problem and is particularly efficient at de-nesting food trays so that they are easily separated after post forming.
Another issue, particularly for frozen food manufacturers is the problem of plastic cracking at very low temperatures. PMB's frost guard masterbatch increases the flexibility of moulded polyolefin at very low temperatures enabling food containers to be stored in deep freezers without the plastic cracking.
A further development by PMB is a masterbatch that diffuses light as it passes through transparent polymers such as PMMA, PC, and PET. This gives the polymer a milky appearance and sufficient translucency to hide objects, whilst allowing most of the light to pass through. This is particularly useful for strip light covers, where as much light as possible is required to pass through but the source of the light is hidden.
UV degradation of the contents of bottles is an increasing problem, particularly as fashion trends tend to favour mouldings in uncoloured, transparent polymers such as PET. PMB have the technology to produce customised masterbatches containing the correct UV additives to protect bottle contents such as colours, flavourings and vitamins.
Shrinkage and warpage are an all too familiar phenomena in moulded plastics components and can often cost manufacturers many thousands of pounds in rejected mouldings, longer cycle times and lost productivity. The choice of pigments can be critical because their effect on shrinkage varies depending on particle size and chemistry. This variance in shrinkage is most noticeable in components containing a range of colours, as some may have high shrinkage while others have none.
To reduce the impact of additives and colourants on shrinkage and warpage, PMB offers a consultancy service to designers, specifiers and processors who are planning a new suite of colours. Discussions as early as possible can prevent 'unforeseen problems' later in the project.
PMB's technically trained staff will be available at the PDM Show to discuss any of these additive solutions in further detail or to advise on specific masterbatch requirements.
Founded in 1974, PMB (Performance Masterbatches), based in Brynmawr, South Wales, is one of the UK's leading suppliers of masterbatch. Utilising the latest colour design and matching technology to deliver fast, accurate colour solutions, the company supplies plastics processors, contract moulders and end users, including many household name companies.
