Quality paints rely on
decent pigment dispersion
in the manufacturing process. Without proper
dispersion of pigments, the paint will not hold up and maintain the expected
colour standards. Pigments are insoluble particles that impart colour to paint
and other materials. Proper pigment and additive selection are vital to ensure
the finished paint or coating effectively displays the required colour.
There are different ways
that pigments are dispersed in materials, including paints. Therefore,
understanding the properties and chemistry of the pigment is vital for knowing
how it will be distributed. Properly dispersed pigments are crucial to the manufacture
of good quality paints. Some of the essential properties that are required for good
pigment dispersion are listed below:
· Stability
Pigments
need to be chosen that have good lightfastness in order for the paint to have a
resounding colour that does not fade with time. Dyes generally have very poor
lightfastness which is why pigments are used instead.
· Viscosity
Another
significant factor for paint and coatings is even thickness. Lower viscosity
will ensure better distribution of pigment dispersions.
· Bright
Hue
The pigments
used in dispersions for paint manufacturing are chosen for their bright
hues. The pigments, varnishes and other
ingredients in the paint must dry to give a glossy finish in order to achieve
the greatest vibrancy of colour.
· Optimal
Pigment Size
A
crucial aspect to understand about dispersion of pigments is the size of the particles.
Smaller particle size of pigment generally provides better transparency. More importantly, the finer the grind of the
pigment the greater the colour strength that can be achieved from a given
quantity of pigment. This can either
lead to stronger shades or, given that the pigment is usually one of the more
expensive components of a paint, it can make the formulation cheaper.
· Customisation
One
of the defining features of buying pigment dispersions from a company such as
ours is that they can be customised, such as by specifying the shade and
strength needed to suit a particular paint.
If you want to find out more about pigment
dispersions and what we can offer, we’re based at Units 5 & 6 in the Bypass Park Estate, Sherburn-in-Elmet,
Leeds, LS25 6EP. Visitors are always welcome but it’s best to arrange an
appointment with us first, which you can do by calling 01977 685 458.
