Surface Treated Pigments

 

Surface treated pigments are pigments that have been coated with a layer of another material, such as silica, alumina, or titanium dioxide. This coating improves the properties of the pigment, such as its dispersibility, color strength, and opacity.

Surface treated pigments are used in a variety of applications, including cosmetics, paints, plastics, and inks. In cosmetics, they are used to give products their color, opacity, and shimmer. In paints, they are used to improve the color, durability, and weather resistance of the paint. In plastics, they are used to improve the color, opacity, and gloss of the plastic. In inks, they are used to improve the color, opacity, and flow of the ink.

There are two main types of surface treated pigments:

Organic-coated pigments: These pigments are coated with a layer of an organic material, such as a polymer or a resin. This coating helps to improve the dispersibility of the pigment and to protect it from degradation.

Inorganic-coated pigments: These pigments are coated with a layer of an inorganic material, such as silica or alumina. This coating helps to improve the color strength and opacity of the pigment.

The choice of surface treatment depends on the specific application. For example, organic-coated pigments are often used in cosmetics because they are non-toxic and skin-safe. Inorganic-coated pigments are often used in paints because they are more durable and weather resistant.

Surface treated pigments offer a number of advantages over uncoated pigments. They are more dispersible, which means that they can be more easily incorporated into formulations. They are also more colorfast, which means that they are less likely to fade or discolor over time. Additionally, they are often more resistant to degradation from light, heat, and chemicals.

One of the most common applications of surface treated pigments is as a talc replacement. Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that is used in a variety of applications, including cosmetics, paints, and plastics. However, talc has been linked to health concerns, such as ovarian cancer. Surface treated pigments can be used as a talc replacement because they have similar properties, such as good dispersibility and opacity.

Mica pigment is another common application for surface treated pigments. Mica pigment is a natural mineral that is used to give products a shimmery or pearlescent finish. Surface treated mica pigments can improve the color strength and opacity of mica pigment, making it more suitable for a wider range of applications.

Overall, surface treated pigments offer a number of advantages over uncoated pigments. They are more dispersible, colorfast, and resistant to degradation. They are also a safe and non-toxic alternative to talc. As a result, surface treated pigments are becoming increasingly popular in a variety of applications.

Here are some additional benefits of surface treated pigments:

· They can improve the rheological properties of formulations, making them easier to process.

· They can reduce the dusting of powders, making them safer to handle.

· They can improve the stability of formulations, making them less likely to separate or degrade over time.

Surface treated pigments are a versatile and valuable tool for formulators. They can be used to improve the performance and aesthetics of a wide range of products.