The group of coloring materials for plastics known as polymer-soluble colorants comprises substances from a number of different organic chemical classes. The most important of these used by the plastics industry include: - polycyclic, anthraquinone, and perinone compounds, which find use where particularly high processing temperatures are encountered; azo compounds - which generally have more limited heat resistance, and various polymer-soluble metal complexes derived from azo and phthalocyanine dyes.
In contrast to pigments, which remain as discreet particulate crystals when incorporated in a plastics material, polymer-soluble colorants “dissolve” in the molten thermoplastic polymer to give essentially an even molecular distribution throughout the material. As a result they provide the potential for very high transparency and generally high color strength, without many of the dispersion difficulties shown by some organic pigments in the polymer types mentioned below.
However their molecular state in the polymer may allow the potential for movement of the colorant within the polymer matrix and the consequent risk of bleeding into any adjacent materials in contact (migration), or deposition on the surface of the finished article (blooming). For this reason polymer-soluble colorants find their greatest use in plastic materials, which retain the “glassy” state at their normal, ambient service temperatures. In other words, the glass (second order) transition temperature of the plastic material lies well above the article’s normal temperature of use. Under these conditions, the colorant is “frozen” into the polymer and the risk of migration / blooming is prevented or significantly reduced.
Polymer soluble colorants are therefore used primarily in styrenic polymers and copolymers such as polystyrene, SAN and ABS; in polyesters such as PET plastics and fiber, PBT and polycarbonate and also in acrylic polymers such as PMMA. Selected products are used in polyamide plastics and fibers and also in some unplasticised PVC compounds. Polymer-soluble colorants are widely used in the polymers above in combination with inorganic pigments to provide a wide range of opaque colors, especially in cases where the use of inorganic pigments based on Cadmium, Lead, Mercury and Chromium must be avoided.
Polymer-soluble colorants are in principal not suitable for polymers whose glass transition temperature is near to or lower than the ambient service temperatures of the finished articles, typically the polyolefins (PE and PP), polyurethanes, and the whole group of thermoplastics elastomers and rubbers of various types. They are also not recommended for the coloration of semi-rigid and flexible vinyl materials because the presence of plasticisers results in a high risk of migration and blooming.
Partner: Ciba
| Product Range |
Description |
| Ciba® CINQUASIA® |
Ciba® CINQUASIA® quinacridone pigments are high performance organic pigments that meet the tough demands of today’s marketplace. They are an excellent choice for engineering plastics, styrenics, flexible and rigid PVC as well as for a broad range of polyolefins. Many CINQUASIA products comply with FDA requirements. |
| Ciba® CROMOPHTAL® |
Ciba® CROMOPHTAL® pigments for plastics are high performance organic pigments for plastics with varying chemistries that are suitable for use with a wide range of polymers and processes. Their excellent all-round properties include exceptional processing behavior with outstanding and consistent dispersibility that broadens the scope for color and applications. These pigments also demonstrate very low pressure rise due to minimal screen pack blockage during extrusion. This enables major productivity gains as a result of shorter machinery downtime, easier formulation control and less waste. These products all meet strict legislation for purity and many are FDA-compliant. |
| Ciba® IRGAZIN® |
Ciba® IRGAZIN® pigments are high performance organic pigments for plastics that offer outstanding overall properties, especially weathering for plastics. They can be used in many demanding applications across a wide range of polymers and comply with strict purity legislation. |
| Ciba® IRGALITE® |
Ciba® IRGALITE® pigments for plastics are medium to high performance organic pigments that exhibit excellent value in use. Their good overall properties allow them to be used with many different polymers and processes. The majority also comply with strict purity legislation. |
| Ciba® IRGACOLOR® |
Ciba® IRGACOLOR® pigments are high quality Bismuth Vanadate pigments that provide excellent performance and properties for various demanding polymers. They are characterized by their outstanding resistance to heat, weather and chemicals. |
| Ciba® ORACET® |
Ciba® ORACET® offers a comprehensive range of polymer-soluble colorants with outstanding value in use. They meet the most exacting commercial and technical standards of the plastics industry in terms of value, fastness properties as well as a specific balance of both. These colorants provide a very high level of brightness and transparency and offer new possibilities for color matching and styling. |
| Ciba® MICROLEN®-MC |
The Ciba® MICROLEN®-MC range of pigment concentrates consists of proven pigments in a finely dispersed, free-flowing and non-dusting form. They are particularly suitable for the coloration of polyolefins. The pigment content is approximately 50% within a low molecular weight polyethylene homopolymer carrier. |
| Ciba® MICRANYL® |
The Ciba® MICRANYL® ranges of pigment concentrates for the mass coloration of flexible, semi-rigid and rigid PVC contain products for virtually all PVC applications and performance requirements. They meet the increasing market demand for predispersed, non-dusting and meterable forms. |
| Ciba® MICRANYL® NQ-F |
The new Ciba® MICRANYL® NQ-F range is the most up to date range of pigment concentrates designed for the coloration of flexible, semi-rigid and rigid PVC. |
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