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Antistatic Masterbatch: Putting an End to Static in Plastic
Most of us got to experience the little surprising shockwave from static electricity building up in plastic products. Static electricity can be harmful to plastic products in many different ways. The best solution for this issue is adding Antistatic Masterbatch to the manufacturing process. The masterbatch is added in order to help prevent the accumulation of static electricity on the surface of plastic products.
In this article, we will explain all you need to know about Antistatic Masterbatch: how it works, how is it helpful, and why every plastic manufacturer needs to use it.
What is Antistatic Masterbatch?
To fully understand antistatic masterbatch, we should first understand static electricity. Static electricity is a current that builds up in a certain area or material, usually involving plastic products. This build-up occurs due to unbalanced electrical charges. Static electricity can be harmful to many plastic products. It can cause the plastic to stick together and attract large amounts of dryness and dust. In some cases, static electricity can even be so powerful, that it generates a spark that may ignite a flame. On top of that, after the static electricity is discharged, it usually starts to build up again.
Antistatic masterbatch added to the production of plastic is responsible for blocking static electricity from building up. These masterbatches are developed using carefully selected antistatic agents that induce conductivity to the components, eliminating static charges without affecting the aesthetics of the component, and other valuable benefits.
How does Antistatic Masterbatch work?
Internal antistatic additives are incorporated into the polymer matrix. The controlled incompatibility causes migration to the surface. There it forms a polar layer that absorbs water from the atmosphere. This layer is able to conduct or dissipates the charges. The higher the conductivity, the lower the resistance and shorter charge decay time.
The electrostatic charges are typically caused by friction between two materials. Static charging can disturb the continuity of many processes. It can hinder the opening of the tubular film during the packaging process, therefore often static charging is the limiting factor for higher speed in these processes. Reduced static charging caused by adding antistatic masterbatch also avoids dust pick up by the packed goods. As a result, the materials can be stored and eventually displayed in a more attractive way.
How can static electricity be harmful to plastic products?
The antistatic masterbatch is based on fatty acid ester type of anti-static agents. It is added to the manufacturing process of different plastic products in order to neutralize the charges on the surface of the polymer.
Problems caused by static electricity include:
- Dust pick up which can ruin clarity and surface finish.
- Mutual repulsion of bodies of the same charge in polymer-based packing.
- Electronic static discharge can damage electronic equipment.
Products that most commonly need antistatic masterbatch include electronics, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and defense. It also gives uniform cell size distribution in expanded polyethylene foams.
Why use Antistatic Masterbatch in the plastic manufacturing process?
Static, or electric charge, is an unwanted phenomenon, which occurs across many levels of air humidity. This often occurs in plastic products in the packaging industry. By using migrating molecules that draw water molecules from the air, antistatic additives for plastics solve the static problem and fit a wide range of humidity levels.
By using antistatic additives, the charge will be reduced or eliminated. Adding antistatic masterbatch to the manufacturing process of plastic products can improve and upgrade them greatly, providing them with more durability. Antistatic masterbatches are already pre-mixed compositions. Their use helps plastic manufacturers avoid problems of agglomeration of additives as well as problems of dispersion. Antistatic masterbatch has changed the way people look at things in the plastic industry. It can protect from serious damage such as fire and explosions. The masterbatch can ensure that the plastic products stay free from static charges and electrostatic discharge.
In conclusion, antistatic masterbatch can be added to the production of plastic in order to block static electricity from building up in the finished products. It has many short-term and longer-term benefits and can be used across various industries to upgrade the final product. Antistatic Masterbatch is able to increase the conductivity of electricity in plastic, prevent damage to electronic components, minimize dust pick-up, and much more. Adding it to the manufacturing process will not only stop electricity from building up but also upgrade the product’s overall durability.
