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Basic of Pigments

Pigments impart color and have several key functions and properties. They can be classified as inorganic or organic. Important characteristics include particle size, shape, composition, surface area, and specific gravity. Key properties are color, tinting strength, opacity, fastness to light and weather, heat resistance, and solubility. Common test methods evaluate opacity, lightfastness, and color space. Selecting the right pigment considers its intended color, dispersion properties, lightfastness, opacity, heat stability, and interactions with other pigments and the binder system.

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Mae Ann Derecho
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92 views20 pages

Basic of Pigments

Pigments impart color and have several key functions and properties. They can be classified as inorganic or organic. Important characteristics include particle size, shape, composition, surface area, and specific gravity. Key properties are color, tinting strength, opacity, fastness to light and weather, heat resistance, and solubility. Common test methods evaluate opacity, lightfastness, and color space. Selecting the right pigment considers its intended color, dispersion properties, lightfastness, opacity, heat stability, and interactions with other pigments and the binder system.

Uploaded by

Mae Ann Derecho
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PIGMENTS

MA E A N N A . D E RE CH O
R e s ea rch a n d D e v e lo pme nt
Outline
o Definition

o Functions

o Characteristics

o General Properties

o Classifications

o Laboratory Methods
What is pigment?
o colored
particulate solid, which is relatively insoluble in the medium
in which it is incorporated

o imparts color by the selective absorption of visible light


Its functionality includes,

o Optical function − gloss, color, hiding power and opacity

o Protective and reinforcing function − UV resistance, corrosion


inhibition, film flexibility and hardness

o Application
Characteristics of Pigments
1. Particle size and Particle Size Distribution can
influence
Ease of Smaller particle size, larger surface area,
dispersion difficult to disperse

Hiding Power Larger particle size, more opaque

Color Strength Smaller particle size, high color strength


2. Particle Shape
− it can influence the pigment’s shade and paint properties i.e
durability of the paint film

Types of crystalline form pigments Prismatic Acicular

Nodular Spherical Lamellar


3. Particle composition
4. Surface Area and Oil Absorption
─ surface area is closely related to the pigment’s binder demand

Large particle, Small particle,


smaller SA, lower bigger SA, higher
binder demand binder demand

─ OA represents the minimum weight of oil required to coat each


pigment particle and to fill the voids between them
5. Specific Gravity
─ weight of pigment at a given volume
─ influence the level of pigmentation
─ higher SG, higher gloss, higher pigment concentration
─ heavy pigments tend to settle hence a degree of thixotropy or
structure is generally built into paints to reduce settlement
General Properties
I. COLOR − sensation from the activation of the retina of the eye by
electromagnetic vibrations (light waves)
II. TINTING STRENGHT − the property in which a colored pigment
retains its distinctive color when combined with another pigment
III. OPACITY − “HIDING POWER”
IV. FASTNESS TO LIGHT − the ability of the pigment to retain its initial
color when exposed to light
V. WEATHERFASTNESS − the ability of the pigment to retain its initial
color when exposed to UV and environmental conditions
The selection of pigments for exterior application depends on,
i. exposure condition
ii. type of binder used
iii. pigment concentration
iv. presence of TiO2 (which can accelerate fading)
v. concentration and type of light stabilizer used
VI. RESISTANCE TO HEAT

VII. SOLUBILITY

◦ Bleeding – due to the solubilizing effect of solvents in the second coat on


pigments in the first coat
Classification of Pigments
INORGANIC PIGMENTS ORGANIC PIGMENTS
• smaller surface area • larger surface area
• larger particle size • smaller particle size
• relatively high specific gravity • slightly soluble in organic
• relatively easily to dispersed solvents
• translucent/ more transparent
INORGANIC PIGMENTS ORGANIC PIGMENTS
ADVANTAGES ADVANTAGES
• excellent weatherfastness • wide spectral range
• hiding power • bright shades
• good rheology • high tinctorial strength
DISADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• less color strength • fair hiding power
• lack of brilliance • fair weatherfastness
• limited spectral range
Test Methods
A. Measurement of Opacity
i. Morest Hiding Power Charts – visual comparison

ii. Contrast Ratio Method – the difference is the amount of light


which has penetrated the film and been absorbed by the black substrate
𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘
Contrast Ratio = x 100
𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑡𝑒
B. Blue Wool Scale

1 – very sensitive to light


3 – low lightfastness
4-6 – medium lightfastness
7-8 – high lightfastness; not sensitive
C. QUV and Florida Test
D. Color Space

L* = lightness
C* = “intensity” difference
H* = shade difference
A* = reddish/ greenish
B* = yellowish/bluish
Pigment Selection
❑ Color Space ❑ Dispersion
❑ Lightfasness/ Weatherfastness ❑ Opacity or transparency
❑ Heat stability ❑ Chemical Resistance
❑ Toxicity ❑ Reactions and interactions
between pigments (WB/ SB)
❑ Tinting Strength

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