Muttenz, 28 September 2012 – At Fakuma 2012, Clariant will be presenting color masterbatches recognized by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for safety. In addition, Clariant will be highlighting a number of high-impact special effects and an additive masterbatch developed specifically to eliminate the need for a separate coating process in certain medical applications.
At Booth B2-2217 , Clariant will focus on color masterbatches registered to the UL safety standard for flammability. The UL seal gives processors, brand owners, product designers and consumers assurance that the masterbatches help the end product conform to the highest possible safety standards.
The flammability rating of plastics is an important safety criterion especially in electronic equipment, since the plastic can act as a fire accelerant when in contact with a source of ignition. However, material specifiers often overlook the fact that colorants can affect the fire behavior of flame-retarded polymers. Therefore, the UL approach starts right with the selection of all components. Finished parts will obtain the seal only if all components – such as the polymer or the masterbatch – are UL approved.
After many years of collaboration with UL, Clariant today provides a large number of masterbatch/polymer combinations for most fire-performance or flammability classifications and all established polymers. UL-listed color masterbatches from Clariant are individually formulated for compatibility with both the polymer and the flame retardant system, and then subjected to UL test procedures that ensure the required flammability ratings are met. This portfolio is available from over 20 UL-certified manufacturing sites worldwide.
SPECIAL EFFECTS
Clariant will also feature masterbatches and compounds offering extraordinary visual and functional effects. The creative use of such effects can have a positive impact on consumers and promote end-product acceptance. Products marketed under the Remafin®, Renol® and CESA® brand names include:
FluoresSCIENCE – Fluorescent colors shine with high brilliance after exposure to the UV rays in daylight. The effect is particularly strong in bad weather or twilight conditions. With Clariant masterbatches, fluorescent colors can be realized in almost all of the more widely-used polymers. The color range can be variably adjusted for yellow, orange, red, purple and green shades. At Fakuma, Clariant will use Playmobil pieces to demonstrate how UV illumination of these daylight colors will cause them to fluoresce in the dark.
PhosphoresSCIENCE – Phosphorescent substances continue to glow after being illuminated by visible or UV light. The effect can be achieved with yellow, blue and purple color compounds in virtually all established polymers. At Fakuma, Clariant will show sheet manufactured from CESA-lux compounds. These products provide a strong and persistent afterglow even after relatively brief illumination.
PhotochangeSCIENCE – Photochromatic dyes, added to some polymers, can cause plastic parts to change color when exposed to light. When exposed to UV Light or daylight, parts that initially appear colorless, grey, translucent or murky, undergo a dramatic change to reveal strong colors. The color transition is stunning and can be repeated as often as desired.
Products that have a base color or seem uncolored indoors change as if by magic as soon as they are taken outdoors. Using artificial light sources in the Fakuma booth, Clariant will duplicate the indoor-to-outdoor transition. Photoactive color changes are possible in TVE, TPE, EVA, PE, PP and POM.
MEVOPUR® – News for Medical Engineering
Unlike the visual effects just described, the effect of new active additives for medical applications is purely functional. Manufactured in compliance with ISO 10993 / USP23 Part 87 88 Class VI (biologically safe materials), Clariant MEVOPUR additives can provide:
- permanent antistatic modification of materials
- antimicrobial activity
- reduced surface friction eliminating the need for secondary surface treatment
- improved polymer flow to facilitate injection molding of thin-wall components, and reduced cycle times
- color stability during gamma sterilization of the medical device.
The MEVOPUR additives are targeted at applications using cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs) such as TOPAS® from TOPAS Advanced Polymers. These are becoming increasingly popular as a replacement for glass in medical packaging, offering greater freedom of design and the use of new, vivid colors. The COC product line expands Clariant’s ISO and USP approved range of color and additive masterbatches for specialty materials like polyether-block amides (PEBA), as well as more widely used PE and PP resins. Further information is available first-hand from Clariant’s experts at Booth B2-2217 during Fakuma 2012.
