SPECIAL EFFECTS | PIGMENTS
Metallic effects shift up a gear
Special effect pigments add sparkle and lustre to plastics, with the latest developments extending that to near metallic
effects.Peter Mapleston takes a closer look
Special effect pigments can create a host of new finishes in moulded and extruded plastics compo- nents. They are not low cost additives but, by enabling users to do away with secondary decorat- ing operations, can be very competitive at a system level. Most often, special effect pigments make use of the sparkling effects produced by minute particles of metals such as aluminium and silver as well as – for pearlescents – mica. Many of the longest established applications are in consumer packaging, but there is also a growing demand for the effects these pigments can deliver in more durable applications. And, when used in combina- tion with more conventional pigments and addi- tives or with laser treatment of finished surfaces, they can produce startling visual and tactile sensations. Altana Group subsidiary Eckart describes its
Stapa PP Reflexal product as a novel class of silver metallic effect pigment preparations tailored for moulded-in-colour applications. The preparations are mainly used for automotive interior trim applications where they can create a decorative finish very similar to that of a painted part. “Even a chrome-like appearance can be achieved,” the
www.compoundingworld.com
company says. Other areas of application include the electronics industry and packaging (the dust-free pigment preparations are approved for food packaging applications). “These products impress with their brightness
and pronounced gloss,” Eckart claims. “In terms of brilliance, this pigment group surpasses all previously known aluminium pigments. It can also be mixed very easily with coloured pigments.” Key considerations during the development of
the Stapa PP Reflexal products were to achieve strong hiding power, ease of use, safe handling and good dispersibility, the company says. It offers the effect pigments in five different particle sizes: the very fine sizes produce a velvety structure-less effect with high opacity, while the coarser pigments offer a highly brilliant sparkle effect with strong reflection. Different carrier options make Stapa PP Reflexal
products suitable for polyolefins, styrenics, polyam- ides and other engineering plastics. They can be used with all common moulding and extrusion techniques. The new Zenexo series of effect pigments from Germany-based Schlenk Metallic Pigments currently comprises two pigments for coatings,
March 2021 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 25
Main image: Eckart’s latest developments in effect
pigments allow the creation of moulded in metallics and near chrome- like finishes
IMAGE: ECKART
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