Desiccant Masterbatches and Their Applications

Desiccant masterbatches are additive masterbatches designed to bind moisture during the processing of plastic materials. The active ingredients in these masterbatches react chemically with water molecules and effectively remove them from the process. Desiccant masterbatches can counter problems which develop during the processing of plastics due to the presence of moisture and prevents adsorption of moisture during transportation. Moisture can be present in raw materials such as hygroscopic polymers, fillers and pigments. Reprocess polymer can also have high moisture content. When processing polymer with high moisture content the polymer can become porous and show voids/lower tensile strength in the final articles or extruded/blown sheet. In film applications the high moisture content can lead to film bubble breakage, none of which are acceptable. 

Desiccant masterbatches are usually made up of extra pure calcium oxide minerals, but different masterbatch producers might have their own formulae. These masterbatches are used in eliminating moisture in virgin and recycled LD, LLDPE, HM, PP, etc. These are mainly used in blown film, moulding & raffia. The following are the problems desiccant masterbatches can effectively solve:

• Fish Eyes
• Porosity
• Windows/lenses in films
• Silver streaks in moulding

In addition to that, here are few added advantages that desiccant masterbatches provide:

• Increases filler addition level
• Improves surface properties
• Increases strength
• Increases reprocess polymer addition level

 Read Also: Masterbatches and the Raffia Industry

Leading masterbatch manufacturers in India like REPIN Masterbatches may produce more than one type of desiccant masterbatches for different types of processes, for example, desiccant masterbatches for multilayer and blow moulding applications and another type for monolayer, raffia & other thick section applications.