| Calcium carbonate content | Consistent grade-specific loading, commonly about 70–85% by mass for concentrated PE filler masterbatch | Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ash testing, or acid dissolution with appropriate laboratory controls | Determines dilution rate, cost efficiency, stiffness contribution, and consistency between production batches |
| Carrier resin compatibility | Polyethylene-based carrier selected to match LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, blown film, extrusion, injection, or raffia applications | Application trial, melt-flow comparison, dispersion evaluation, and compatibility assessment | Improves blending, reduces phase separation, and helps maintain stable processing behavior |
| Melt flow rate (MFR) | A controlled value suitable for the target PE process; the most important requirement is batch-to-batch consistency rather than one universal number | ISO 1133 or ASTM D1238, using the specified temperature and load for the material | Supports stable extrusion pressure, output, film thickness, and injection-molding cycle performance |
| Particle size and fineness | Fine, controlled calcium carbonate particles; many film-oriented grades use an average particle size around 1–3 μm, depending on formulation | Laser particle-size analysis, sedimentation analysis, or supplier specification testing | Fine particles generally improve dispersion, surface appearance, film uniformity, and mechanical balance |
| Particle-size distribution | Narrow and controlled distribution with minimal oversized particles or agglomerates | Laser diffraction, microscopic examination, and screen-residue testing | Reduces gels, die lines, pinholes, filter blockage, and weak points in finished film |
| Moisture content | Typically controlled at or below approximately 0.2% for properly dried, production-ready pellets; exact limits depend on the application | Moisture analyzer, loss-on-drying test, or Karl Fischer analysis | Limits bubbles, silver streaks, surface defects, hydrolysis-related concerns, and unstable extrusion |
| Dispersion quality | Uniform filler distribution with no visible agglomerates under the agreed microscopic or film-evaluation criteria | Microscopy, film haze and appearance inspection, pressure-filter test, or extruder trial | Directly affects appearance, tensile performance, elongation, process stability, and defect rates |
| Surface treatment | Suitable coating or coupling treatment, often based on fatty acids such as stearic acid, when required by the formulation | Formulation review, FTIR analysis where applicable, dispersion testing, and processing trials | Enhances filler wetting, lowers processing friction, and improves compatibility with the PE carrier |
| Pellet shape and uniformity | Uniform, free-flowing pellets with limited fines, dust, hollow pellets, or oversized particles | Visual inspection, sieve analysis, bulk-density measurement, and feeding trials | Improves gravimetric or volumetric feeding accuracy and reduces dust, bridging, and material waste |
| Bulk density | Commonly about 1.0–1.8 g/cm³, depending on mineral loading, pellet structure, and formulation | ASTM D1895 or an equivalent bulk-density procedure | Influences silo capacity, feeder calibration, conveying behavior, and dosing accuracy |
| Mechanical-property retention | Acceptable tensile strength, elongation, tear strength, and impact performance at the intended addition rate | ASTM D638 or ISO 527 for tensile properties; application-specific film or product standards | Confirms that filler loading delivers cost and stiffness benefits without unacceptable brittleness or loss of durability |
| Thermal stability | No abnormal discoloration, odor, gas generation, or degradation at the target processing temperature, commonly within approximately 160–220°C for PE applications | Thermogravimetric analysis, thermal exposure testing, and production-scale processing trial | Helps prevent degradation, deposits, odor, color changes, and unstable melt behavior |
| Color and whiteness consistency | Stable color and whiteness appropriate to the end product, with controlled variation between batches | Colorimeter, whiteness index, visual comparison, and finished-product inspection | Important for opaque films, bags, molded products, sheets, and products requiring consistent appearance |
| Contamination control | No unacceptable metal, wood, foreign polymer, black speck, or oversized mineral contamination | Magnets, metal detection, sieve inspection, microscopy, and production quality records | Protects screens, dies, molds, and downstream equipment while reducing visible product defects |
| Batch consistency and traceability | Defined specifications, retained samples, lot identification, certificate of analysis, and documented corrective-action procedures | Quality-management records, incoming inspection, and customer batch audits | Makes production results predictable and allows rapid investigation of quality deviations |
| Packaging and storage stability | Moisture-resistant packaging, clear lot marking, dry storage, and protection from contamination; unopened material should follow the supplier’s stated shelf-life conditions | Packaging inspection, warehouse-condition monitoring, and storage-age verification | Preserves flowability, moisture level, pellet integrity, and consistent performance before use |