glow in the dark powder MIX WITH PLASTIC

To get the best glowing effect, transparent and colorless plastic materials are needed.

Semi-transparent materials can be used, but the glowing effect will be weaker than completely transparent ones.

Solid-colored materials are not suitable as they will completely cover the glowing effect, preventing any glow.

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1. Mixed Medium Requirements

To get the best glowing effect, transparent and colorless plastic materials are needed.

Semi-transparent materials can be used, but the glowing effect will be weaker than completely transparent ones.

Solid-colored materials are not suitable as they will completely cover the glowing effect, preventing any glow.

2. Applied Materials

PP, PE, PLA, ABS, PET, PC, PS, AS, Nylon, and Surlyn resins, are already successfully applied. Others need to be tested.

3. Application Technique

  •    Injection Molding: For industrial segments, home decorations, tableware, bags and shoes, toys, etc.
  •    Extrusion: For masterbatches, 3D printing, cables, etc.
  •    Blow Molding: For straws, hollow doll shells, etc.

4. How to Apply Glow Powder in Plastics

Two methods:

  •    Adding glow powder directly into plastic material.
  •    Adding glow masterbatch into plastic material.

Differences:

  •    Using glow powder directly is with lower cost than using glow masterbatch.
  •    Glow masterbatch may have better dispersion, and less production problems.

The choice of methods can depend on production equipment, budgets, especially the testing results.

5. Glow Powder Addition Ratio

  • In final product, the maximum ratio of glow powder should be ≤10%-15%, as adding too much can cause blackening. The minimum ratio is suggested ≥5%。
  • If using glow masterbatch, the testing range can be 10%-30%.
  • The higher ratio, the better glowing effect.
  • For special products, such as with ultra-thin thickness, the proportion will be different. Suggest to find us for more discussion.

6. Glow Powder Colors

  • Yellow-Green and Sky-Blue are suitable. Yellow-Green is the first choice since it has the best glow effect.
  • If you want the daytime body color to be colorful, it is recommended to use Yellow-Green or Sky-Blue, and add fluorescent pigments to dye during injection process by yourself, especially for customers who haven’t used it before.
  • If dyed glow powder is used directly, it may not disperse well, and it is hard to make adjustment when the product is with strict requirement of glow effect and body color.

  • When adding fluorescent pigment, the less the better, and the lighter color the better, since solid colors will cover some of the glow effect, especially dark colors.

Yellow-Green
Day and night glowing effect of sky-blue glow in the dark powder

7. Temperature Resistance

Under normal conditions, temperatures below 500°C will not affect the glow effect of the glow powder, so there are generally no issues with applying glow powder to plastics.

8. Problems and Solutions

  • Blackening:
Due to the high hardness of glow powder granular, it is prone to friction with the equipment walls or screws during production, causing impurities. These impurities enter the mixture and lead to blackening in the final product. To avoid this, reduce friction during production is a must. This can be done by lowering the mixing speed, lower adding ratio, earlier heating, adding wax oil etc.

GlowUp® has developed a special plastic powder with enhanced lubricity to reduce friction and minimize blackening, known as Anti-Blackening Powder for Plastic.

  • Uneven Glow Effect (some areas glow, others don’t):

Glow powder has a high specific gravity (3.6g/m³), which causes settle down sometimes, leading to non-luminous areas. It is recommended to shorten the mixing time during production and moulding the mixture quickly.

  • Spotty Glow Effect:

This is caused by uneven mixing. It is recommended to slowly add the glow powder and ensure thorough mixing before use.

  • Bubbles on the Product Surface:

This occurs when there is moisture in the plastic raw materials. It is advised to dry both the plastic raw materials and glow powder before processing.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

In the end products, the percentage of glow in the dark powder shall not exceed 10% – 15% at most, otherwise it’s easy to be blacken. The specific proportion needs to be comprehensively considered by the customer according to the cost and testing situation

Use while mixing to prevent precipitation.

Do not grind.

Decrease friction in the production process.

luminous master batch has better dispersion, and glow in the dark powder is better cost performance.