Plastics vs. Paint or Ink

  Plastics Versus Coatings

SABIC Innovative Plastics frequently gets asked to color match plastics to a painted paper or metal surface. This can often be difficult, based on the differences in the ways plastics and paints are colored.



Plastics Coatings
Filler levels usually low. Filler levels usually high.
Colorant dispersion more often a problem. Colorant dispersion may be a problem.
Heat stability issues a consideration based on processing temperatures. Heat stability not normally a problem due to low processing temperatures.
Sensitivity to intensive dry mixing. Intensive dry mixing usually not an issue.
Many polymers are transparent providing depth and special effects. Most coatings have high opacity and cannot show same effects as plastics.
Formula adjustments cannot be added to a batch resulting in losses. Formula adjustments easy to make with additions to batch with no product loss.
Colorant level ranges 0.2 to 15 percent. Colorant level range 20 to 60+ percent.
Narrow selection of colorants based on thermal stability, polymer compatibility. Wide range of colorants available.

 

[< Prev]    [Next >]