EXTRUTEX TPU Luminous Color Masterbatch

1. Product Overview

Luminous masterbatch is a functional color concentrate containing light-storing phosphorescent pigment dispersed in a polymer carrier. After exposure to an appropriate light source, the pigment absorbs and stores light energy. When the surrounding illumination is reduced, the material releases the stored energy as visible light.

EXTRUTEX TPU Luminous Color Masterbatch is primarily intended for flexible TPU products that require a glow-in-the-dark appearance. Typical examples include soft phone cases, smartwatch and watch straps, footwear accessories, flexible decorative components and selected consumer products.

The formulation described for this product uses rare-earth aluminate luminous powder. Compared with conventional short-duration luminous materials, this pigment system is designed to provide a longer afterglow and stable visual performance when correctly formulated and processed.

2. Product Specifications

The values above reflect the supplied product information. Actual luminous intensity, afterglow duration, thermal stability and recommended dosage should be confirmed using the selected resin, finished-product thickness, light source and processing conditions.

3. Long-Afterglow Rare-Earth Aluminate Pigment

The luminous component is based on rare-earth aluminate phosphorescent powder. This material absorbs energy from an external light source and gradually releases it in darkness. The resulting glow makes it useful for products that need to remain visible after normal lighting is reduced.

Long-lasting luminous effect

According to the supplied product specifications, the masterbatch can be charged by light for approximately 5–15 minutes and provide visible afterglow for approximately 8–12 hours. The actual result depends on the intensity and type of charging light, pigment concentration, product thickness, background color and surrounding conditions.

Repeated light charging

The luminous pigment can be charged and discharged repeatedly. It does not function like a conventional battery and does not require an electrical connection. Exposure to suitable light restores its ability to produce an afterglow.

Stable luminous color

A carefully selected pigment and carrier system helps distribute luminous particles throughout the polymer. This supports more consistent brightness and reduces visible differences between areas of the finished product.

4. Main Product Advantages

5. TPU Luminous Masterbatch for Soft Phone Cases

Flexible TPU is widely used in mobile phone cases because it combines flexibility, impact resistance and convenient molding characteristics. Adding luminous masterbatch allows manufacturers to create phone cases that glow after exposure to light.

Luminous TPU phone cases can be developed in different colors, transparency levels and visual styles. Depending on the base TPU grade and formulation, the finished case may have a soft-touch feel, a flexible structure and a luminous appearance in darkness.

• Glow-in-the-dark TPU phone cases.
• Luminous mobile phone protective covers.
• Decorative flexible phone accessories.
• Custom luminous patterns and product designs.
• Branded consumer electronics accessories.

For transparent or translucent products, the base resin and pigment system should be selected carefully. A high pigment loading may affect transparency, flexibility, surface appearance and the mechanical properties of the finished product.

6. Luminous TPU Watch Straps and Wearable Accessories

TPU is also used in watch straps, smartwatch bands and other wearable accessories. Its flexibility makes it suitable for products that need to bend repeatedly during everyday use.

Luminous masterbatch can provide a distinctive glow effect for watch straps and wearable components. It can be used in products designed for sports, outdoor activities, fashion accessories and decorative consumer applications.

When developing a wearable product, manufacturers should evaluate skin-contact requirements, flexibility, tensile strength, tear resistance, color stability and long-term aging. The finished article must meet the relevant requirements for its intended market and use.

7. Other Potential Applications

Although this product is primarily positioned for TPU applications, luminous masterbatch technology can also be developed for other polymer systems. The carrier resin must be matched to the target plastic to achieve suitable compatibility, dispersion and processing performance.

The applications above are potential development areas, not a claim that one TPU masterbatch is automatically compatible with every listed resin. Separate carrier formulations and processing evaluations may be required.

8. Recommended Addition Ratio and Processing

The supplied starting recommendation is an addition ratio of 3%–8%. The optimum concentration depends on the desired brightness, base resin, product thickness, pigment type and processing method.

Basic mixing procedure

1. Confirm that the masterbatch carrier is compatible with the base polymer.
2. Check the condition and moisture level of the base resin in accordance with its material requirements.
3. Weigh the masterbatch and base resin accurately according to the trial formulation.
4. Mix the materials evenly before feeding them into the processing equipment.
5. Use processing temperatures appropriate for the base resin and the luminous formulation.
6. Produce trial samples and inspect dispersion, surface appearance, flexibility and luminous performance.
7. Adjust the addition ratio and processing conditions based on the finished-product results.

Injection molding

Injection molding is suitable for producing complex luminous TPU parts, phone cases, watch straps and other molded accessories. Stable feeding, suitable melt temperature and consistent mold filling help maintain product quality.

Extrusion

Extrusion can be considered for continuous luminous profiles, flexible components, tubes and other products. The screw configuration, residence time and temperature profile should be checked to avoid unnecessary thermal exposure and uneven dispersion.

Film processing

Luminous formulations may also be developed for selected film applications. Film thickness, transparency, pigment distribution and surface appearance should be evaluated before production approval.

9. Product Safety and Environmental Considerations

The supplied product information describes the luminous pigment as non-radioactive and the formulation as low-halogen. These properties are important considerations when selecting functional pigments for consumer products.

The source information also refers to RoHS compliance and third-party testing. Buyers should request the applicable test reports and declarations for the actual masterbatch formulation before making regulatory or market-compliance claims.

For toys, stationery, wearable products and household goods, the requirements depend on the destination market and the finished product. A masterbatch description alone does not establish that the final article complies with every chemical, migration, skin-contact or toy-safety requirement.

• Request confirmation of non-radioactive pigment composition.
• Request relevant RoHS test documentation where applicable.
• Confirm halogen-related claims using supporting test reports.
• Evaluate the finished product against its intended market requirements.
• Confirm suitability for skin-contact or children's products separately.

10. Custom Luminous Color Development

EXTRUTEX supports customized luminous color development according to product design, target polymer and required visual effect. Different luminous pigment systems can produce different colors and brightness characteristics.

Custom development can consider luminous color, pigment loading, carrier resin, processing method and the desired balance between daytime appearance and nighttime brightness. Not every luminous color has identical charging speed, brightness or afterglow duration.

11. Quality Control and Product Evaluation

Luminous masterbatch should be evaluated not only by its appearance as supplied, but also by the performance of the finished plastic product. EXTRUTEX recommends testing the material under conditions that reflect the customer's actual manufacturing process.

• Granule consistency: Check particle uniformity and the absence of obvious agglomeration.
• Dispersion: Inspect molded or extruded samples for visible pigment spots, streaks and uneven distribution.
• Luminous brightness: Measure the initial glow after exposure to a defined light source.
• Afterglow duration: Record brightness over time under controlled conditions.
• Thermal stability: Evaluate the material at the intended processing temperature and residence time.
• Mechanical properties: Check flexibility, tensile strength, tear resistance and other application-specific properties.
• Surface quality: Inspect for bubbles, surface defects, streaks and other molding or extrusion issues.

12. Why Choose EXTRUTEX Luminous Masterbatch?

EXTRUTEX works with polymer processing materials and extrusion-related applications. Our approach to functional masterbatch development considers the complete production process, from carrier selection and pigment dispersion to the behavior of the finished plastic product.

• Formulation discussions based on the target polymer and processing method.
• Customized luminous colors for different product designs.
• Development of carrier systems for TPU and other compatible plastics.
• Technical evaluation of dispersion, thermal behavior and finished-product appearance.
• Support for injection molding, extrusion and other selected plastic processing applications.

EXTRUTEX product development, laboratory work and R&D are based in Austria, while manufacturing is carried out in China. This combines European engineering development with established manufacturing capabilities.

13. Frequently Asked Questions

What is TPU luminous masterbatch?

It is a polymer color concentrate containing luminous pigment dispersed in a carrier resin. It is added to compatible TPU material to produce plastic products that glow after exposure to light.

How long does the luminous effect last?

The supplied specification indicates approximately 8–12 hours of afterglow following a charging period of around 5–15 minutes. Actual brightness decreases over time and depends on the light source, pigment loading, product design and surrounding conditions.

Can this masterbatch be used for TPU phone cases?

Yes. TPU phone cases are a primary target application. The formulation and addition ratio should be evaluated using the selected TPU grade and molding conditions.

Can it be used for watch straps?

Yes, luminous TPU watch straps and wearable accessories are potential applications. Finished products should also be tested for flexibility, durability and the relevant skin-contact requirements.

What is the recommended addition ratio?

The supplied starting recommendation is 3%–8%. The final ratio should be established through sample production and luminous performance testing.

Can it be used with PP, PE, ABS, PET or PLA?

Luminous masterbatch can be developed for different polymer systems, but the TPU formulation should not automatically be used with other resins. A compatible carrier and suitable formulation should be selected for each material.

Does the luminous pigment contain radioactive materials?

The supplied product information describes the rare-earth aluminate pigment as non-radioactive. Buyers should request supporting material declarations or test documentation for the specific formulation.

Can EXTRUTEX customize the luminous color?

Yes. Yellow-green, blue-green, sky-blue, orange-red and other customized luminous color options can be discussed according to the application and required appearance.

Does the product lose its luminous effect after repeated use?

The luminous pigment is designed for repeated light charging and afterglow cycles. Long-term performance should be evaluated under the intended product's exposure, processing and service conditions.

14. Request a TPU Luminous Masterbatch Specification

To select a suitable luminous masterbatch, provide the target TPU grade, product application, molding or extrusion process, desired luminous color and target brightness. If possible, include a product sample or technical drawing.