LUMENTIFY
Application
Glow-in-the-dark pigments for plastics & masterbatch
In plastics, compatibility with the polymer and the process determines the result – whether in injection moulding, extrusion or as a masterbatch precursor.
Technology
Technical key points
-
Heat resistance during processing
The glow pigment itself is thermally stable up to 1,100–1,200 °C. Tinted pigments contain organic dyes and should not be used from approx. 150 °C. For plastics processing, use untinted pigments – recognisable by their light, whitish daylight colour with a slight tint, such as yellow-green and blue-green.
-
Dispersion in the polymer
Even distribution in the polymer is the precondition for an even glow. We match particle size and dosing form to your compounding or dosing equipment. Watch for dust when handling large quantities of powder.
-
Wall thickness and colouring
Transparent or light plastics let light reach the pigment and get back out. Additional colouring or dark base materials reduce brightness.
-
Loading and masterbatch
The guide value is 15–20 % pigment relative to the carrier. For masterbatch precursors, we agree concentration and particle size with you based on the later let-down ratio.
Raw materials
Suitable raw materials & processing
We supply the glowing building block – you process it further. For Plastics & Masterbatch, these raw materials are suitable:
-
Pigments
Compounding, masterbatch production or direct addition in injection moulding and extrusion.
In practice
Typical use cases
- Housing parts with an afterglow function
- Toy and consumer goods production
- Safety markings on plastic components
- Masterbatch precursors for processors
Why LUMENTIFY
For Plastics & Masterbatch
We advise you on the right loading and particle size for your process, so that the afterglow function works reliably in series production too.
Material
Material data at a glance
Key data of our glow pigments. How brightly a product glows in the end depends on carrier, layer thickness, loading and excitation – which is why we clarify this together through sampling in your own system.
| Material | Europium/dysprosium-doped strontium aluminate, inorganic |
|---|---|
| Surface | SiO₂-coated and therefore hydrolysis-resistant – even permanently in water |
| Thermal stability | Glow pigment 1,100–1,200 °C; from approx. 150 °C use only untinted pigments (light, whitish daylight colour) |
| Glow colours | Yellow-green (base shade, brightest), blue-green, blue; further shades tinted and weaker |
| Afterglow duration | Yellow-green, blue-green, blue: more than 10 hours in total darkness, as a faint glow after 1–2 hours |
| Excitation | UV content (daylight, UV from 365 nm) charges fastest, artificial light more slowly |
| Guide loading | 15–20 % relative to the carrier material, 30–50 % in opaque carriers |
| Ageing | around 5 % loss of brightness over 10 years (empirical value) |
Read more
Request samples for plastics
Tell us about your application, requirements and quantities – we will get back to you with a technical assessment and the next steps.
You can also reach us directly: +49 151 55687366 info@lumentics.de