Color special-effect

Colorants have been developed for special effects. Pearlescent or iridescent give an attractive appearance. They are often used for coating paper (e.g., cosmetic packaging). The pigment consists of thin platelets, less than 1 pm thickness, which have a high refractive index, e.g., mica coated with Ti02. 

Colorant A pigment, dye, or other chemical that imparts color (including black and white) or any special effect appearance to a polymer. These special appearances could be metallic, pearlescent, stone and fleck, flourescent, phosphorescent, thermochromatic, or photochromatic. 

Special effect pigments, which can be natural or synthetic, show outstanding qualities of luster, brilliance and iridescent color effects based upon optically thin layers [5.122-5.125]. This visual impression develops by reflection and scattering of light on thin multiple layers. In nature this is not limited to pearls and mussel shells alone there are a multitude of birds, fish, precious stones and minerals, even insects, that... 

Special effect pigments suitable for outdoor applications must meet the highest standards for color fastness and weather resistance. These pigments are coated additionally with thin layers of transparent and colorless oxidic compounds. These layers increase the light resistance by reducing the photoactivity of the titanium dioxide surface. In addition, the interaction between pigment and binder is optimized. 

Special effect pigments are used as colorants or part of color formulations for all systems where traditional pigments are applied, but where additional color depth, brilliance, iridescence, color travel, and other spectacular effects are required [5.122, 5.123]. Mica-based pigments dominate their combination of pearl and interference effects, brilliance, stability and behavior in different application systems is as yet unsurpassed. Pearl luster pigments require transparent or at least translucent binders. Formulations with absorption pigments have to take their transparency and color mixing rules into account... 

Today, special effect pigments are a standard component of solvent and water-based automotive and industrial coatings. The main reasons are both the decorative effect and the technical quality. The automotive designer has a wide range of color and composition possibilities at his disposal. Attractive and individual paint is provided not only by the various colors of special effect pigments, but also by using different particle sizes in combination with other absorption pigments [5.122, 5.137, 5.161]. 

Industrial paint applications for special effect pigments are e.g. furniture, bicycles, airplanes, rail wagons, cans and containers, building exteriors, interior decoration, artificial pearls and jewelry. The main reasons for their use are the achievable special effects, the attractiveness of the colors and the good application behavior [5.122]. 

Cosmetic applications require specific effect pigments that are approved for use according to cosmetic regulations. The applications of these pigments include color cosmetics (lipsticks, eyeshadows, blushers, eye pencils, make-up, mascaras, nail lacquers), personal care products (shampoos, body washes, lotions, creams, oral care products, hair gels), and special effect items (theatrical and costume make-up, temporary hair color sprays) [5.164]. 

Mica-Lyte, Dekorflake, Microfibers, Specular - selected natural, colored, and shaped materials designed as special-effect colorants to impart granite-hke, sparkling, and textured appearances to transparent and translucent polymers... 

Colorants can be subdivided into dyes, and dispersed organic, inorganic and special-effect pigments. The technique for applying the colour to the product usually involves precolour (material that is already compounded to the colour desired), dry colour (powdered colorant), liquid colour or colour concentrate (high loading colorant in a base resin). 

Multi-Angle Spectrophotometers for Metallic, Pearlescent, and Special Effects Colors... 

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