As the final chapter of color and effect creation, we will introduce other differentproperties inherent in below:

1. Pigment fraction used (particle size distribution)

Metal oxide-mica pigments with a particle size of approx. 10 to 60 um (normal fraction) show the typical pearl luster effect.

Fractions with smaller particle sizes, i.e. 5 to 20 um, or with particle sizes in general under 15 um, increase the hiding power of the coating by light scattering, but their gloss and brilliance are less. Good gloss and brilliance are achieved by using significantly larger particles, but at the cost of hiding. A similar situation occurs when special effect pigments are used on other substrates.

It is possible to achieve brilliance and good coverage, within certain limits, by mixing effect pigments of the normal and small particle fractions.

2. Pigment concentration

The optimum pigment concentration for the formation of a pearl luster effect lies between 1 and 4 wt-% at application viscosity. The proportion of effect pigment in relation to the binder is normally 10 to 25 wt-%. Up to 40 wt-% may be used to achieve special effects or if the paint film thickness is very low.

Higher pigment levels are inadvisable, as they hinder the orientation of the platelets. This in turn leads to a reduction in gloss and effect formation. Sometimes, clear coats can be livened up by adding 1 wt-% (based on the binder) of effect pigment.

3. Pigment concentrations needed for multi-color effects and sparkle

Similar concentrations of pigments may be used to achieve multi-color effects (for example with metal-oxide/silicium dioxide effect pigments, "Colorstream") as are employed when metal oxide-mica effect pigments are used to produce a pearl luster effect. However, sparkle needs very low effect pigment levels (typically 0.5 to 1.5 % at application viscosity)

4. Composition of the coating layer

The composition of an effect coating layer is as follows:

The substrate is painted first with a primer and then with a filler. This is by a pigmented base coat and then normally a layer of clear coat.

The effect formation is influenced by as below:

color and roughness of the filler

hiding power of the base coat

thickness of both the base coat and clear coat

Figure shows a typical structure of a base coat/clear coat effect application as well as the layer sequence in automotive paints.

5. Nature of the substrate

The nature of the form to be painted has a pronounced influence on the effect formation, in particular the reflection properties. For example, a rounded form shows the reflection and color flop properties better than a flat one.

Different effect pigments have different inherent properties. As the fashion leading supplier of effect pigment in China, iSuoChem is pushing out more and more new type of effect pigment to meet the needs of the market. Such as: Glitter pigment, fluorescent pigment, aluminium pigment, glow in the dark powder, thermochromic pigment, photochromic pigment, tie dy powder, bronze powder, flocking powder, color flakes, iron oxides, chrome pigment, organic pigment, optical variable pigment (Multi-color chrome pigment) and other effect pigments.