From pigment wetting and agglomerate control to external-lubrication torque reduction — an FT wax selection reference for masterbatch formulators; all grades from the real Heyee Chem HY series.
Color masterbatch is a concentrate that disperses pigment/filler at high concentration in a carrier resin. The core difficulty is fully wetting, de-agglomerating and stably dispersing solid particles, otherwise color spots, streaks and low tinting strength appear. Low-molecular-weight polyolefin wax plays two roles here:
FT wax (mostly linear alkanes, narrow MWD, white) has advantages over broad-distribution paraffin and cracked PE wax in dispersion uniformity, tinting-strength stability and low blooming.
| Grade | Congeal / Drop point | Penetration | Form | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HY-W104 | congeal 102–108°C / mp ≥117°C | ≤1 | white powder | premium micronized, HMA, PVC |
| HY-40 | softening ≥116°C / 149°C visc 20–40 cP | – | white bead | masterbatch, HMA |
| HY-115 / 115P / 115M | congeal 99–103°C / mp >110°C | <3 | powder/bead | general purpose |
| HY-7100D | mp ≥100°C | – | granule | lube + dispersion |
high-conc pigment masterbatch (premium) → HY-W104, HY-40 (high dispersion, low blooming)
general color masterbatch → HY-115 / HY-115P / HY-115M
filler masterbatch / cost-down → HY-7100D (PE-wax class), or blended with HY-W104
high-temp engineering compound → prefer high-drop-point grades (HY-W104, HY-102) for shape stability
Masterbatch must disperse high-concentration pigment/filler uniformly in the carrier resin. As a low-molecular-weight polyolefin with low melting point and strong wettability, FT wax wets pigment particle surfaces, reduces agglomeration, and improves dispersion uniformity and tinting strength; it also acts as an external lubricant reducing extrusion shear heat and torque. Heyee HY-W104 (drop point ≥117°C) high-drop-point micronized wax stays form-stable at high masterbatch processing temperatures and resists blooming.
FT wax has narrower MWD, higher purity and whiter color, giving more stable dispersion and tinting; PE wax is lower cost. In practice it depends on pigment concentration and carrier: high-concentration/premium masterbatch prioritizes FT wax (HY-W104, HY-115); ordinary filler masterbatch can use PE wax (HY-7100D) or a blend to balance cost.
Typical dosage is 1%–5% of total masterbatch, depending on pigment concentration, carrier resin and processing temperature. High-drop-point micronized wax (HY-W104) is so dispersion-efficient that it often needs less than ordinary wax for equal tinting; excess may cause surface blooming or weaken weld strength. Always confirm with COA and trials.
Recommended: HY-W104 (congeal 102–108°C, drop point ≥117°C, penetration ≤1, white powder, premium micronized), HY-40 (softening ≥116°C, 149°C viscosity 20–40 cP, white bead, for masterbatch & HMA), HY-115/115P/115M (congeal 99–103°C, drop point >110°C, general), HY-7100D (drop point ≥100°C, granule, lube + dispersion).
Versus paraffin, high-drop-point narrow-MWD FT wax is more compatible with the polyolefin carrier at processing temperature, with markedly lower blooming risk. Still, control total dosage and match carrier melting point; run a trial first and observe white frost or impact on printing/welding before finalizing the production formula.
