3D Cat Eye Magnetic Pigment

Technical Description

The cat eye effect is produced by the combination of two properties: the magnetic responsiveness of the nickel-chromium coating on the silica flake substrate, and the reflective geometry created when those flakes align under a magnetic field. In a standard pigment, flakes settle and orient randomly in the film, producing diffuse, omnidirectional light scattering. When a magnet is applied to the wet surface of a gel or coating containing these pigments, the magnetic particles rotate and align along the field lines, creating a structured zone of parallel-oriented reflective flakes within the film. This aligned zone reflects light directionally, producing the characteristic bright band that shifts position as the viewing angle changes — the visual effect associated with the cat's eye stone.

The 3D variant in the KT-3DMG series adds a color-shifting dimension to the standard cat eye effect. The nickel-chromium coating system produces interference-based color change alongside the magnetic alignment, so the bright band not only moves with viewing angle but also exhibits color travel — in the KT-3DMG101 grade, shifting between purple-red and golden-green. This combination of magnetic alignment and interference color shift is what distinguishes 3D cat eye pigments from standard single-color cat eye magnetic powders.

The silica substrate (81–85%) provides the platelet geometry needed for directional light reflection when aligned. The nickel-chromium component (15–19%) provides both the magnetic response and the interference coating. At 20–50 µm particle size, the flakes are large enough to produce a well-defined, visible cat eye band when aligned, while remaining processable in gel nail systems. The oil absorption of 70–90 g oil/100g powder is a relevant formulation parameter for gel and resin systems, indicating the binder demand of this pigment is moderate-to-high compared to standard mica-based grades.

Key Features & Benefits

Applications

The cat eye alignment effect requires the magnet to be applied during the wet or gel phase before the coating sets. Working time depends on the gel or resin system. Evaluate alignment performance under your specific formulation and cure conditions before finalizing grade selection.

Product Specifications

Example product shown. Full series data available upon request.

Full TDS and SDS available upon request. Additional color combinations available across the KT-3DMG series.

Industry Solutions

Standard cat eye magnetic powders produce a single-color reflective band that moves with viewing angle — which is a well-established effect in the nail and decorative market, but one that has become familiar to consumers and buyers. The commercial pressure in the nail and specialty coating segment is toward more complex, visually differentiated effects. A single-color cat eye band no longer differentiates a product line in the same way it did when the effect was first introduced. At the same time, formulators developing gel nail or specialty coating products with magnetic pigments face a practical challenge: the oil absorption and binder demand of magnetic flake pigments differ from standard pearlescent grades, and gel formulations that work well with standard mica pigments may not perform correctly with magnetic grades at the same loading level without adjustment.

The KT-3DMG series addresses the differentiation challenge by combining magnetic alignment with interference-based color shifting — the aligned band changes color as well as position with viewing angle, producing the 3D effect that gives this series its designation. The purple-red to golden-green color travel in KT-3DMG101 is produced by the nickel-chromium interference coating on the silica substrate, operating simultaneously with the magnetic alignment. The oil absorption data (70–90 g/100g) is provided in the TDS specifically to support gel formulators in adjusting binder ratios before beginning application trials — a level of technical transparency that reduces development time. With 20 years of effect pigment manufacturing experience, Kolortek maintains consistent nickel-chromium coating uniformity and particle size distribution across production batches, which directly determines the consistency of both the color shift range and the magnetic alignment behavior in the applied film.

Samples by color combination, grade-specific TDS and SDS, and pricing are available upon inquiry. Contact Kolortek's technical team with your gel or resin system type, target color effect, and application format for formulation-specific guidance.