Liquid Color

Liquid Colorants: Liquid colorants have some advantages over conventional methods to color thermoplastics. Liquid colorants are extremely clean and can facilitate fast color changes between production runs resulting in excellent productivity and efficiency for the manufacturer.

In this application, pigment and additives are added to an alkyd or other type of oil or pre-polymer liquid carrier with TiO₂ concentrated as high as 80%. Liquid vehicle is then pumped to an extruder, blow molder, or injection molder for conversion.

TiO₂ selection is important for liquid colorants to maximize dispersion, optics, weatherability, colloidal stability and oil absorption, and both general purpose and high performance TiO₂ are recommended. For maximum weatherability, a durable TiO₂ will ensure low chalking and maximum color hold.

To maximize the UV absorption/stabilizing effects of TiO₂ pigment, sometimes loading levels of up to 10% are desirable.

For colloidal stability, several complex factors are at play and many times specific products must be tested in the end user’s proprietary vehicle/binder system.

For oil absorption consistency, TiO₂ must have consistent particle size distribution and surface treatment application.