Filter pressure value (FPV)
Measures how quickly a screen pack blinds as masterbatch is extruded.
Why it matters: The single best predictor of pinholes in film and filament breaks in non-woven.
Quality
What we test, and why each test exists
Masterbatch quality is not a certificate on the wall. It is a short list of measurements that predict whether the material will run on your line. These are the ones we report.
Carbon black content
Thermogravimetric analysis of the black fraction in the pellet.
Why it matters: Pipe standards specify black content; let-down ratios assume the masterbatch is on target.
Dispersion rating
Microscopy of a pressed film, rated against a reference scale.
Why it matters: Shows whether the black is wetted out, not just present.
Ash content
Residue after burn-off.
Why it matters: High ash indicates contamination that can block spinnerets and cause gel specks.
Volatile matter
Weight loss on heating.
Why it matters: Drives porosity, surface defects and odour in the finished part.
Melt flow index
Flow rate of the masterbatch under standard load.
Why it matters: Has to sit close enough to the base resin that let-down does not change the process window.
Documents
Paperwork that ships with the container
Not favours, not extras — standard documents issued per shipment so customs, quality and purchasing all get what they ask for.
- Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- Issued per production batch, listing measured values against specification.
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
- Typical properties, recommended loading, processing guidance.
- Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
- 16-section format, compliant with export requirements.
- REACH / RoHS statement
- Issued on request, per shipment or per product family.
- Third-party testing
- SGS, Intertek or a nominated lab, arranged at inquiry stage.
Consistency
Why the second order matters more than the first
Most supplier problems appear after qualification, when the black source or the carrier changes quietly between batches and the colour drifts. Two things prevent it: freezing the inputs for a running order, and documenting which batch numbers went into which shipment.
- Frozen inputs. For a running order, carrier resin grade and carbon black source stay fixed unless you approve a change.
- Retained samples. A sample from each batch is kept so a complaint three months later can be checked against the actual material, not a photograph.
- Batch traceability. Batch numbers appear on the COA and on the packaging label, so a reel of film can be traced back to a production run.
Need a specification or a test report before you decide?
Ask for the TDS and a COA from a recent batch. We will send both.