Pearlescent pigments, also known as pearl pigment, pearl powder, actually come from our artificial simulation of a type of luster in nature (such as natural pearls, shells, butterfly wings or bird feathers, etc.), and are mainly used to enrich the visual environment of our lives. This work of mankind started hundreds of years ago, but it was not until the 1960s that pearlescent pigments with good luster and practical value were created.

01. Classification and function of pearlescent pigments

(Color classification, please see here)

Titanium series pearlescent pigments

The color of this series of products shows silvery white, interference gold, interference red, interference violet, interference blue, interference green with the increase of titanium oxide coating rate. If the coating continues, the color will have a cycle, that is, interference gold will appear. , Interference red, interference purple, interference blue, interference green, but continue to cover the color will gradually darken, the pearlescent color weakens.

Iron series pearlescent pigments

As the name suggests, the iron series pearlescent pigments are coated with iron oxide on the substrate. Since iron oxide has its own color (such as iron series toner), it has a certain color, but the color trend is the interference color plus iron oxide s color. With the increase of the coating rate, the color shows brown-yellow, brown-red, burgundy, purple, iron green and other colors. As the coverage increases, the color will recycle. But the color is difficult to grasp.

Ferro-titanium series pearlescent pigments

This series of pearlescent pigments are mainly golden. The different coverage of iron oxide and titanium oxide will show different golden colors. The general rule is that iron oxides are added more, and the deeper the gold, the titanium series The more oxides are added, the lighter the gold.

Multi-mixed coating series pearlescent pigments

This series of products have complex technology, strict production process control requirements, and bright colors and high added value. Products include different colors (chameleon) pearlescent pigments, super pearlescent series, Chinese red series, etc.

Dyeing series pearlescent pigments (Colored Pearlescent pigments)

This series of pearlescent pigments are dyed with ordinary pearlescent pigments with organic or inorganic colorants. The products have better advantages in color density and color diversity. But the product also has certain shortcomings, such as easy discoloration and poor brightness. This series of products are mostly used in color cosmetics, plastics, coatings and other industries.

Special pearlescent pigment series

This series of products use the unique properties of the pearlescent pigment's lamellar structure and the surface can be coated with metal oxides to achieve different functional effects.

This series is a functional product of pearlescent pigments, including heat-insulating pearlescent pigments, infrared absorption pearlescent pigments, magnetic conductive pearlescent pigments, conductive pearlescent pigments, antibacterial pearlescent pigments, etc.

02. Application cases for Pearlescent pigments

 Waterborne acrylic pearlescent metallic paint

This formula is a basic golden base paint formula, which maximizes the color of pearly luster itself.

Oily two-component acrylic automotive metallic paint 

The formula is a basic white automotive metallic paint, which uses the characteristics of pearlescent and high-shine, and is combined with alumina and mica to reflect the effect of the metal from multiple angles.

Imitation copper powder high gloss high weather resistance metal powder coating

The formula uses iSuoChem high buoyancy pearlescent pigment to achieve the surface metallic effect, and 5-25um pearlescent pigment to enhance the hiding power, achieving the effect of a bright and transparent copper metal.