Effect masterbatch for ski bindings

The material properties and the functional component properties are closely linked when a plastic part is to be configured according to the design specifications using masterbatch coloration: In such cases, a color masterbatch interacts with its formulation components as an additional component in a natural-colored high-performance compound. Failure to take account of the possible effects of this interaction can lead to significant losses in the mechanical properties of the plastic used.

 Long fiber thermoplastics, so-called LFTs, are particularly important in this context. As a specialist for customized high-performance materials, the LEHVOSS Group offers natural-colored LUVOCOM LFT and making colored components possible is precisely where ROWA Masterbatch comes into the picture: The color development, its evaluation and the testing of the component properties were implemented in close cooperation with the LEHVOSS Group and the end customer. A crucial point in the masterbatch development was to maintain the superior properties of an LFT. This requires special expertise and care in the selection of carrier materials, colorants and other components.

 ROWA Masterbatch and LEHVOSS Group are working closely together in this area and have developed an effective system for the customer, in which the testing of the material properties is incorporated after the color setting in order to be able to provide the highest possible application reliability.

The cooperation between the two companies for MARKER Deutschland GmbH clearly demonstrates how well the interaction between ROWA Masterbatch and LEHVOSS Group can work in the development of a polymer-specific, individual color masterbatch: The globally renowned ski binding manufacturer MARKER is considered the inventor of the modern ski binding and is a leader in the fields of alpine and touring bindings. MARKER sets high quality standards and places correspondingly high demands on its components, both in terms of their purely technical functionality and in terms of their aesthetic appeal, as this plays a key role in the decision to purchase.

These requirements also applied to the components of a new touring binding: A masterbatch was to be developed for MARKER that would create an effect reminiscent of snow glitter when it was exposed to sunlight – an intriguing task for the colorists at ROWA Masterbatch as well as for the LUVOCOM LFT product developers.

 ROWA Masterbatch has used its comprehensive understanding of materials for the LUVOCOM LFT, in this case a high-impact PA66-LGF, to design a product that has virtually no effect on mechanical properties. Of paramount importance for this application are impact strength and low-temperature impact strength.

Technical functionality and a dramatic appearance – as a result of the expertise in the properties of color masterbatches for use in long-fiber materials, ROWA Masterbatch and the LEHVOSS Group have succeeded in meeting MARKER`s requirements in the most effective way possible. At the same time, this result is just one example of the many possible uses of polymer-specific masterbatches in sports and outdoor applications that are capable of meeting the most sophisticated specifications.