Page 57 - Plastics News February 2024

PRODUCT NEWS

to rise again in April), MasterFoam of- tal investment in upgraded infrastruc- ent trials, against a number of com-
fers a further cost benefit due to the ture. The reduced component weight petitor blowing agents. Broadway has
reduction in the volumes of polymer was also highly beneficial for their ap- vast experience in the manufacture
processed. plication. Broadway suggests that the of colour and additive masterbatches
Viscosity of the MasterFoam melt is potential for this customer is huge. and compounds. Their technical and
lower than polymer on its own. This Another advantage is that the open sales support is also provided from
is due to bubbles beginning to form cell structure offers improved acous- their 90,000ft2 facility in Suffolk.
in the melt allowing for deforma- tic and thermal insulation properties. Dr. Stephen Rayner, technical man-
tion. This lower viscosity results in This would be particularly beneficial ager at Broadway, said: “Broadway’s
a smoother, quicker injection stage. in applications such as window frame MasterFoam allows our customers to
Shot speed is increased as the poly- profiles. Components used in con- achieve ‘more for less.’ This product
mer must be ‘short shot’ into the struction are increasingly scrutinised provides a significant weight saving in
mould (i.e. less polymer added), to al- for thermal efficiency. the final moulded component, mean-
low a uniform expansion of the foam Why should I use Broadway’s ing less polymer is required. We’ve
in the mould. Cooling times typically blowing agents? been delighted with the results we’ve
are reduced, all of which contributes Broadway’s injection grade chemical seen from customer trials over the
towards a reduced cycle time and re- foaming agent – MasterFoam, is not past year.
duced energy demand and costs. an imported or traded masterbatch. "We’re continuing our sustained effort
In extrusion moulding trials, the use of It was developed in-house by Broad- to expand our product portfolio with
Broadway’s extrusion grade additive way’s technical team. It’s a made to new offerings which support custom-
(MasterFoam-Ex) doubled the run- order material, manufactured in the ers in achieving their commercial and
ning speed of a customer’s extrusion. UK, offering fast turnarounds and se- sustainability goals.”
This effectively doubled the capacity curity of supply. In 2023, MasterFoam
of their operation, without any capi- produced the best results in independ-

Light Diffuser Masterbatches

Description: mainly used in the making of Window
andui has developed Polycarbon- Pane, LED Light Profile & LED Panel.
Kate & Polystyrene based light Salient Features:
diffuser additive masterbatch. This • Eliminates hot-spots
Special Effect masterbatch effectively • High Light Diffusion
scatters & diffuses harsh light into
softer form without significantly re- • Lowers Refractive Index
ducing light transmission. • Very good dispersion
This light diffuser masterbatch is suit- • Results in Energy saving
able for a variety of applications such • High Heat Stability
as LED light profile & LED light panel.
This additive can be used in Extrusion
& Injection Moulding processes. It is

PLASTICS NEWS 59
February 2024