How to read a masterbatch TDS: the 8 parameters that actually matter
A masterbatch datasheet is only useful if it lets you reject a grade without running a trial. These eight lines do that. If any of them is missing or unqualified, the document cannot be compared with a competitor's sheet.
The eight parameters, and what each one decides
| Parameter | Typical value | What it decides |
|---|---|---|
| Active content | CaCO3 70–85%, carbon black 35–50%, TiO2 50–70% | Cost per kg and how much saving you can expect |
| Carrier resin | LDPE / LLDPE / PP / EVA | Compatibility with your virgin resin — mismatch causes gels |
| MFI | 1.0–2.5 g/10 min for film; 5–20 for injection | Flow and dispersion; must be quoted with test condition |
| Density | 1.9–2.1 g/cm³ for 80% CaCO3 | Cross-check: a density that contradicts the filler content means one of the two numbers is wrong |
| Moisture | ≤ 0.15% for film grades | Voids, silver streaks, bubble instability |
| Particle size / mesh | 1250–2500 mesh, or top cut in µm | Specks, die lines, screen pack pressure |
| Addition rate | Process-dependent, 5–40% | Whether the supplier understands your process at all |
| Packaging | 25 kg bag, 1 t pallet | Handling, storage, container loading |
MFI without a test condition is not a number
Melt flow index depends entirely on the temperature and load used. 2 g/10 min at 190 °C / 2.16 kg and 2 g/10 min at 230 °C / 2.16 kg describe different materials. A sheet that lists "MFI: 2" without stating the condition is telling you nothing you can act on.
For PE-based masterbatch the standard condition is 190 °C / 2.16 kg; for PP-based grades it is 230 °C / 2.16 kg. If the sheet omits it, ask — a supplier who cannot answer does not measure it.
Density is your free cross-check
Density lets you verify the filler content without a laboratory. Calcium carbonate has a density of about 2.7 g/cm³ and polyethylene about 0.92 g/cm³. A masterbatch at 80% CaCO3 in PE should therefore measure roughly 2.0–2.1 g/cm³. If a sheet claims 80% filler but quotes a density of 1.4, the filler content claim is inflated. This single check catches more bad datasheets than any other.
What a COA adds that the TDS cannot
The TDS describes the grade. The COA describes the batch you actually received. Ask for a COA for the production lot, and check that the measured values sit inside the TDS ranges. A COA issued per product family rather than per batch is a marketing document, not a quality record.
- TDS: nominal values and ranges for the grade
- COA: measured values for one production batch, with a batch number and date
- MSDS: hazard, handling and transport information — required for shipping, not for quality
Six red flags on a datasheet
- "Adjustable" or "as required" used in place of a number — the grade is unspecified.
- MFI with no test condition — the number cannot be reproduced.
- No moisture specification — the most common cause of film defects is not addressed.
- Mesh quoted without a top cut — mesh screens differ between suppliers.
- Density inconsistent with filler content — one of the claims is inflated.
- COA only available after payment — you cannot verify before you commit.
Common questions
Is a TDS the same as a specification sheet?
Effectively yes. Suppliers use both names for the document that lists nominal properties and test methods. What matters is whether values are numeric and test conditions are stated.
Why does the COA differ from the TDS?
The TDS gives a range; the COA gives one measured batch inside that range. Small differences are normal. A COA value outside the TDS range means the batch is off-specification.
Do I need an MSDS for masterbatch?
Usually yes, for shipping and for your own safety file. Masterbatch is generally not classified as dangerous goods, but carriers may still request the document before booking.
Can I rely on an ISO certificate instead of a TDS?
No. ISO certification describes the management system, not the grade. A certified factory can still produce a grade that does not suit your process.
Related: how to choose a CaCO3 grade · addition rate by process · TDS, COA and MSDS explained