A leading manufacturer of wearable electronics sought to enhance the look and durability of a button component made from a high-performance engineering thermoplastic. The polymer selected offered excellent mechanical and thermal properties, but the manufacturer struggled to achieve a consistent, high-quality colour finish while maintaining material integrity. Hardie Polymers was approached to support the manufacturer in identifying the right masterbatch solution.
The customer had been using a universal masterbatch that could not withstand the high processing temperatures required for the engineering polymer (up to 300°C). During moulding, the pigments and additives degraded, causing poor colour consistency from batch to batch, and polymer degradation, which led to weakened parts that were prone to breaking. The inconsistent finish and reduced mechanical performance risked production inefficiencies, increased scrap, and left customers dissatisfied.
We recommended two tailored material solutions: a standard pre-compounded black grade, and a polymer-specific masterbatch designed for compatibility with the base polymer and capable of tolerating high processing temperatures.
The polymer-specific masterbatch provided optimised dispersion, delivering uniform colour and eliminating weak spots; improved UV stability, enhancing long-term performance in demanding environments; and product compliance, utilising additives appropriate for the application and processing conditions.
By switching to the polymer-specific masterbatch, the manufacturer achieved:
Our customer said: “The change in material has transformed our production reliability. We no longer have issues with inconsistent colour or brittle parts, and the reduction in waste has delivered real cost savings. Hardie Polymers helped us identify the right solution quickly and supported us through every stage of the changeover.”
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