Ten Hot Questions About Thermochromic Pigments

iSuoChem Marketing Department / Edited by Jason

Index of Content

1. What are the different types of thermochromic pigments? -------------------1

2. Is there any irreversible thermochromic pigment in the market ? -------------------2

3. What are the basic thermochromic pigment temperature values? -------------------3

4. Is thermochromism reversible? -------------------4

5. What is the reversible thermochromic effect? -------------------5

6. Can irreversible thermochromic pigment be restored to its original color? -------------------6

7. Is thermochromic pigment powder safe? -------------------7

8. What are the properties of thermochromic pigments? -------------------8

9. What are the applications of thermochromic materials? -------------------9

10. What products are made from thermochromic pigments? -------------------10

What is a thermochromic pigment?

Thermochromic pigment is a kind of temperature sensitive pigment powder. The reversible thermochromic substance in microencapsulation is called reversible thermochromic pigment (commonly known as: thermochromic powder, thermosensitive powder or thermochromic dye). The particles of this pigment are spherical with an average diameter of 2~7 microns (one micron is equal to one thousandth of a millimeter). The inside is the color-changing substance, and the outside is a transparent shell about 0.2~0.5 microns thick that can neither dissolve nor melt. It protects the color-changing substance from the erosion of other chemicals. Therefore, it is very important to avoid damaging this shell during use.

iSuoChem is a Chinese thermochromic pigment market supplier that has been engaged in the production, research and development and sales of thermochromic pigments for decades. Among the customers we have met so far, we have encountered the most product questions, which we summarize today as follows:

Question 1. What are the different types of thermochromic pigments?

Answer: Generally, In the thermochromic pigment market, the most common ones are divided into color-to-colorless (also called Discoloration series thermochromic pigments), color-to-colored, and colorless-to-colored (also called color-developing series thermochromic pigments).

Pic#1 Thermochromic pigment colors

Question 2. Is there any irreversible thermochromic pigment in the market ?

Answer: In the thermochromic pigments market, the most common is reversible thermochromic pigments. However, for the needs of some special industries, such as those that must be tested, customers may require a series of irreversible thermochromic pigments.

Question 3. What are the basic thermochromic pigment temperature values?

Answer:

3-1. Thermochromic pigment temperature range ~ Colored to colorless, colored to colored Basic temperature: 18℃, 22℃, 25℃, 28℃, 31℃, 33℃, 35℃, 40℃, 45℃, 48℃, 50℃, 55℃, 60℃, 65℃, 70℃, 75℃, 80℃ (Some more high temperature thermochromic pigment, please check iSuoChem)

3-2. Temperature color change range ~ Colorless to colored Basic temperature: 35℃, 40℃, 45℃, 48℃, 50℃, 55℃, 60℃, 65℃, 70℃, 75℃, 80℃

Tips: The temperature value of the above temperature sensitive pigments means that when this temperature is reached, the temperature-changing color begins to change. When the temperature continues to rise and reaches a certain temperature, the thermal color will change very thoroughly. Basically, it changes from one color to another. At present, the advantages of iSuoChem in the market are mainly reflected in: the temperature change range can be controlled within a very small range, and the temperature range of the temperature-sensitive color change can also be expanded according to customer requirements.

Pic#2 Thermochromic pigment for plastic cups (45℃ high temperature Thermochromic powder from red to colorless)

Question 4. Is thermochromism reversible? (What is reversible thermochromic pigment?)

Answer: Reversible thermochromic can change color repeatedly with the rise and fall of temperature. (Take 35℃ green as an example, the color change form is colorless above 35℃ and green below 35℃).

Question 5. What is the reversible thermochromic effect? (What are irreversible thermochromic pigments?)

Answer: Thermochromic powder changes color as the temperature rises. After changing color, it will not change back at normal temperature. It is mainly favored by some customers in the detection industry and anti-counterfeiting industry.

(Take 60℃ red irreversible thermochromic pigment as an example. It is a colorless irreversible thermochromic powder at room temperature. When the temperature reaches above 60℃, the color begins to appear and turns red).

Question 6. Can irreversible thermochromic pigment be restored to its original color?

Answer: Irreversible thermochromic pigment can maintain a dual stable state of colored or colorless in the range of -10~60 degrees. So take 60℃ red irreversible thermochromic pigment as an example. When the color changes from colorless to red. Later, as long as the temperature is higher than -20 degrees below zero, the color will not change back. When the temperature is within the range of -10~60 degrees, it will maintain a dual stable state of color or colorless.

If the irreversible thermochromic powder changes color during transportation or production due to improper protection, will this batch of products be scrapped?
The answer must be NO. We have a way to save it. Generally, if the thermochromic powder or thermochromic product is placed in a frozen environment, the color will change back again. (For specific methods, please consult our relevant engineering personnel)

Question 7. Is thermochromic pigment powder safe?

Answer: Yes, it is safe. We have FDA approved thermochromic pigment to be used in PP water cups.

Question 8. What are the properties of thermochromic pigments?

Answer: iSuoChem thermochromic pigments have the most complete color series, the widest temperature selection range, environmental protection and safety, stable color change, high color concentration, and very little residual color. Thermochromic contains microcapsule color-changing particles with a particle size between 1~10um (conventional ones are 3-5um and 5um), and has the characteristics changed by the capsules such as high temperature resistance and anti-oxidation.

Pic#3 Thermochromic pigment for brand logo (31℃ red thermochromic pigment)

Question 9. What are the applications of thermochromic materials?

Answer: Screen printing, spraying(thermochromic pigment for spraying), injection molding, blow molding, coating, printing and dyeing, transfer printing, glue dripping, filling, hand-painting, etc.

Pic#4 Black thermochromic pigment black to clear

Question 10. What products are made from thermochromic pigments?

Answer: The thermochromic pigment application market is very large. From the thermochromic pigment market overview in previous years, it can be seen that the thermochromic pigment market value is increasing year by year. The mainstream thermochromic pigment products include these below uses.

Garment industries(thermochromic pigment for clothes fabric), shoes and bags(thermochromic pigment for leather), handicrafts, thermochromic pigment for ceramic mugs, cosmetics, jewelry, toys (e.g. thermochromic powder for slime), tableware and daily necessities, plastics(thermochromic pigments for plastic), adult products, mobile phone and computer accessories, car decoration (thermochromic pigment for car paint), furniture decoration industry(thermochromic powder coating), etc.

The design of thermochromic products is based on the color change in high temperature environment and low temperature environment, and is mostly used in a series of products for human body temperature sensing, and can also be used for anti-counterfeiting design.