Rotomolding: Putty adds glow-in-dark functionality where it’s needed

New from masterbatch and compound supplier Chroma Corp. (McHenry, IL) is Glow Putty, a material which enables rotational molders to apply glow-in-the-dark features to specific areas of the mold, giving parts a molded-in 29-hour glow.

In answer to questions from MPW, Stuart Swain, the supplier's director of sales and marketing, said the claims stem from tests conducted in which a rotomolded part was charged with 1000 lux of light for 5 minutes, and then the glow was read. "The product starts glowing very brightly and can be used as a flashlight. After about 30 minutes, the glow drops off and is visible to a dark-adapted eye for 29 hours," he wrote.

Processors can use the light stable photoluminescent putty to highlight specific areas of their parts.  "The Glow Putty is estimated to cost at least 80% less than a part molded entirely of the photoluminescent compounded material. The glow effect is as durable because the color is molded into the plastic", adds Swain.

Swain provided MPW with a simple users' guide explaining how the putty is used. A user removes the required amount of putty from the container and kneads it to make it soft and pliable. It then can be inserted into a mold at the desired locations. Excess putty is removed, the normal polyethylene charge is added, the mold is closed and rotomolding is completed as per standard. The putty is suitable for use on parts designed for indoor and outdoor use. "Our new Glow Putty product enables molders to offer enhanced visibility and safety properties in one step as part of standard rotational molding process," commented Mike Masterson, Chroma's Sr. technical sales engineer.

The putty is sold in 10-lb boxes with a green glow, MB-9164 GP, or a blue one, MB-9165 GP. —[email protected]