SYNTHETIC MICAA better alternative to natural mica in the
production of effect pigments
Presented on behalf of Impact Colors, Inc. 1 Innovation Way, Ste.100
Newark, DE 19711T:302-224-8310
www.impactcolorsinc.com
Traditional Effect Pigments
Since commercialization in the 1970s, manufactured from natural mica coated with one or more layers of metal oxides. Indian ruby mica has been favored for this application.
1 Innovation Way, Ste.100Newark, DE 19711
T:302-224-8310www.impactcolorsinc.com
Global Consumption
Natural mica sheet used as substrate for pearlescent pigment:Global estimate :100,000 to 120,000 tons per year
1 Innovation Way, Ste.100Newark, DE 19711
T:302-224-8310www.impactcolorsinc.com
Why Synthetic Mica? At present, 95% of natural mica is imported from India. Quality is declining and prices are increasing. Natural mica has deficiencies which are a barrier to development
and production of high quality pearlescent pigment. Development of synthetic mica as a replacement for natural mica
lessens the reliance on a decreasing natural resource and lifts the quality of the product type
1 Innovation Way, Ste.100Newark, DE 19711
T:302-224-8310www.impactcolorsinc.com
What is Synthetic Mica?
•Potassium Magnesium Aluminum FluoroSilicate•KMg3AlSi3O10F2 : Synthetic Fluorophlogopite•First synthesized in 1919•Developed for the electronics industry
1 Innovation Way, Ste.100Newark, DE 19711
T:302-224-8310www.impactcolorsinc.com
Product development challenges
1 Innovation Way, Ste.100Newark, DE 19711
T:302-224-8310www.impactcolorsinc.com
•High Temperature
•Precise control of composition
•Controlled cooling
•Delamination and grinding
Key Technology Difficulties Innovation
• Determining the parameters that give optimal crystal growth
• Conversion of the crystal mass into flake substrate suitable for producing effect pigment
• Process design and formulation
• Process scale to 10,000 TPA
• Physical processing of mass to single sheet flake – new grinding techniques employed
Performance ParametersBulk density ≤0.35 g/cm3Hue: better that standard sample of natural micaBrightness: better than standard sample of natural micaPH value: 6-8 Oil absorption: 60-90
1 Innovation Way, Ste.100Newark, DE 19711
T:302-224-8310www.impactcolorsinc.com
Synthetic Mica vs Natural Mica Technical
index Synthetic Natural white mica
Pearlescent pigment with synthetic mica
Pearlescent pigment with natural mica
Optical Transmittance( μ)
0.3~4.5 0.3~2.0 —— ——
Whiteness ≥95 55~70 ≥95(Silver white series) 65~75(Silver white series)
Max Use temperature ( )℃
1100 800 1100 850
Heavy metal ≤ ppm PPM ≤ ppm PPM
Total iron as Fe2O3
≤0.2% 0.8~2% ≤0.2%(Silver white series) 0.8~2%(Silver white series)
Chroma —— —— Better than pearlescent pigment with natural mica
Better than pearlescent pigment with natural mica
Brightness —— —— Better than pearlescent pigment with natural mica
Better than pearlescent pigment with natural mica
1 Innovation Way, Ste.100Newark, DE 19711
T:302-224-8310www.impactcolorsinc.com
Performance ParametersAppearance Colorless and transparent
Flexibility ≥30%
Total Iron ≤0.2%
Synthetic mica content
≥98%Heavy metal ≤0.2ppm
Radius-thickness ratio ≥80
Average thickness ≤0.3μm
Particle size distribution
d90/d50≤2, d50/d10≤2
Whiteness ≥96
1 Innovation Way, Ste.100Newark, DE 19711
T:302-224-8310www.impactcolorsinc.com
Summary of Benefits
Compared to natural mica, synthetic mica offers:
Higher purity More consistency Cleaner, whiter white pearls Resistance to higher temperature Greater reflectivity Interference colors with higher chroma More compressible in pressed powders Less bleed from metallic colors A better value proposition
1 Innovation Way, Ste.100Newark, DE 19711
T:302-224-8310www.impactcolorsinc.com