Consider it or not, there is a whole scientific body of knowledge about how adding pigments to plastic can affect the behavioral properties of the plastic.
These days, synthetic polymers are available in the market, each with its unique properties. Some are more impact-resistant than others, some bend more rather than break, and some have more UV resistance.
Pigment Characteristics
One perspective of pigment characteristics that don’t always get the consideration it deserves is the addition of the pigments. However, there is a scientific body of knowledge and facts about how adding pigments to plastic can affect the behavioral properties of plastic pigments products.
Compatibility
It’s very important to consider the compatibility between the polymer and pigment. Some of the compounds in pigments can break down the chemistry of the polymer and weaken its original characteristics, like impact-resistance. Pigment must also be capable of surviving the high processing temperature, despite being chemically compatible.
It’s also worth noting that the interaction between a polymer and a pigment can also be affected by other additives.
Different Pigment - Different Properties
“Molecular weight” and “crystalline” are the two major factors in the equation, which can affect a polymer in different ways. For example, transparent colors can be prepared with dyes that are potentially less impactful than the pigments used in opaque colors. Pigments are made up of particles, which can impact the performance of the material.
Amount of Pigment
The property preservation of the polymer is also a function of the amount of colorant consolidated into it. If you think of pigments as contaminants, the more you add, the more negative influence it can have on the plastic and its products.
For example, adding 1-2% of a pigment is usually manageable, as long as the compatibility concerns mentioned above don’t come into play. As the pigment levels increase, the greater the chance is, the plastic properties will shift.
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