Optical Brighteners

Optical brighteners, or fluorescent whitening agents, are used to make plastics, fibers, coatings, inks, and detergents appear whiter and brighter. These products function by absorbing invisible ultraviolet light and re-emitting it as visible light in the blue range of the spectrum. The absorbance and emission spectra of the optical brightener Benetex OB are illustrated in the figure. These products are particularly useful to mask the yellowish cast sometimes observed in plastics and fibers after high temperature processing operations. They are also used in substrates containing pigments or dyes to make colors appear more brilliant. Click the link to see examples of Custom Optical Brightener Applications Examples

Benetex OB
   Solid optical brightener for general purpose use in a wide range of
     plastics, adhesives, coatings, and inks
   Brilliant bluish cast
   Soluble in organic solvents and compatible with a variety of substrates
   Excellent thermal stability and low-volatility
   FDA-cleared* for use in polymers, adhesives, and pressure-sensitive
     adhesives in food contact applications

Benetex OB Plus
   Ultrafine form of Benetex OB that can be used without additional milling
     in coating and ink applications
   Reduction in processing time - no need to mill product
   More uniform coverage in your final product
   Easier to disperse than other optical brighteners, resulting in high efficiency

Benetex OB-M1
   Water-based optical brightener useful in detergent powders, liquid
     detergents, industrial detergents, soap bars and boosters
   Provides an intense whitening effect on cellulosic fibers over a wide range
     of wash temperatures and also makes detergents appear whiter and brighter
   Also useful as a tracer in water systems
   Good lightfastness, stable to bleaching agents (hypochlorite, peroxide)

* Restrictions may apply in terms of substrate type, maximum concentration, foods allowed, and/or other conditions of intended use. Please contact Mayzo for additional information.