 | The OMNICOLOR stock color range has been formulated with high quality, heavy-metal-free pigments that will perform well in a wide range of polymers under most processing conditions. All stock colors in teh OMNICOLOR range meet UK and European food contact and toy application requirements for their intended applications.
OMNICOLOR is not recommended for use in the following applications: Cellulosic polymers, transparent effects in actylics, or in food, drug, medical or cosmetic applications requiring FDA approval or equivalent.
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|  | | PROCESSING | | | | |
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OMNICOLOR concentrates can be using in injection molding, blow molding, profile and sheet extrusion. They will withstand the drying temperatures of most polymers that require drying before processing. However, they must be added after drying polyesters, polysulfones, polycarbonates and other polymers that typically require drying temperatures above 107° C (225° F).
Processing machines must have good plasticizing capability. Improvements can often be achieved by increasing back pressure, reducing screw speed, raising middle-zone barrel temperature, and cooling the barrel feed zone to prevent premature melting fo the OMNICOLOR concentrate.
OMNICOLOR processing temperatures pertain to the colorant system only. The carrier system also has a thermal ceiling and is dependent on both time and temperature. Care should be used when melt temperatures may exceed 316° C (600° F). | | |
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| MIXING | | | |  | | |
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OMNICOLOR concentrates must be throughly pre-mixed with the polymer to obtain consistency of color throughout the production run. This can be achieved by timble mixing or by using metering devices
LIGHTFASTNESS AND WEATHERABILITY | | | |
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| Lightfastness is measured on the Blue Wool Scale (BWS) with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 8. Pigments with BWS reading above 5 are adequate for virtually all indoor applications, although some fluorescent colors qualify with BWS reading of only +/- 3. Good lightfastness does not always indicate good outdoor weatherability. Since OMNICOLOR concentrates do not contain UV stabilizers, outdoor applications must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. | | |
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|  | | OPACITY / COLOR STRENGTH | | |
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All pigments vary in color strength and opacity. The formulations used to create OMNICOLOR concentrates combine the high tiniting strength of organic pigments with the opacity of inorganics. The hiding power of the formulations varies and should be tested in all opaque and filled polymers before starting production.
FLAME RETARDANT POLYMERS
OMNICOLOR concentrates can be used in flame retardant materials. but due to their high additive content, only a very limited gray/beige range of colors is possible. Since the addition of pigment and carrier could also affect the UL rating, subsequent flame testing may be necessary. | | |
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