Pearlescent metal effect pigments

Metallic, pearlescent and fluorescent pigments are grouped together in this section as three types of pigment used for their ability to produce unusual optical effects. 

Metallic pigments. Metallic pigments are used on the surfaces for luster and brilliance finishes that are normally not produced by conventional pigments. For many applications, a metallic effect is highly desirable and can be achieved by adding aluminum, zinc, bronze, stainless steel, or pearlescent pigments. 

Uses Pigment for pearlescent, metallic, antique, and iridescent effects in powd. coatings... 

Pearlescent pigments are used to obtain pearl, iridescent (rainbow), or metallic effects, and in transparent color formulations to obtain brilliance or two-tone color, luster flops and color travel effects (changing with viewing angle). The most important applications are plastics, industrial coatings, printing inks, cosmetics, and automotive paints. 

The brittle, silvery, shiny metal was long considered the last stable element of the Periodic Table. In 2003 it was unmasked as an extremely weak alpha emitter (half-life 20 billion years). Like thulium, there is only one isotope. Bismuth alloys have low melting points (fuses, fire sprinklers). As an additive in tiny amounts, it imparts special properties on a range of metals. Applied in electronics and optoelectronics. The oxichloride (BiOCl) gives rise to pearlescent pigments (cosmetics). As bismuth is practically nontoxic, its compounds have medical applications. The basic oxide neutralizes stomach acids. A multitalented element. Crystallizes with an impressive layering effect (see right). 

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. 

By combining metallic pigments with pearlescent pigments, unique optieal effects can be achieved. Small additions of metallic pigments to material colored with pearlescent pigments will improve the hiding substantially. 

There is an interesting and diverse range of pigment types which have the ability to produce novel and unusual optical effects in application. These products, which include metallic, pearlescent,... 

Nonoriented Tedlar SP films (Types 8 and 9) offer excellent conformability to almost any shape or substrate while maintaining the durability, chemical resistance, and ease of cleaning expected of PVF film.1 ] Nonoriented films are available as multilayer films without adhesives or heat sealing. Multilayer technology allows for effects such as pearlescent or metallic colors. The Tedlar SP process allows a pigmented base layer to be covered with an integral clear top layer. 

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