Chromashift Optical Variable Pigments

Technical Description

Chromashift pigments belong to the optical variable pigment (OVP) category — a class distinct from conventional pearlescent pigments in both construction and optical behavior. Where standard pearlescents use a single TiO₂ coating over mica to produce pearl luster, OVPs use a precisely engineered multilayer thin-film stack to produce color that changes with viewing angle through constructive and destructive interference at each layer boundary.

Chromashift optical variable pigments are interference pigments produced through controlled deposition of metal layers onto plate-like silica substrates. The resulting multilayer structure reflects and refracts light differently depending on viewing angle.

This optical interference produces a distinct color shift effect, also referred to as optical variable color or color travel. Unlike conventional pearlescent pigments that typically display a single interference color, optical variable pigments are engineered to display two or more color transitions.

The silica-based structure contributes to chemical stability and compatibility with many coating and polymer systems. Particle size selection influences visual performance:

• 5–25 μm: smoother coatings and fine dispersion for inks and security printing

• 10–60 μm: balanced color travel and visual intensity for coatings and plastics

Key Features & Benefits

Product Pictures

Applications

Product Specifications

Example product shown. Full series data available upon request.

Full TDS and SDS available upon request. Additional particle size grades available.

Industry Solutions

Color-shift effects in coatings and security applications require consistent angular color travel across production batches. In OVP manufacturing, the color travel range is determined by the thickness of each layer in the thin-film stack — tolerances measured in nanometers. For automotive OEM customers, batch-to-batch color shift variation means rework and color approval delays. For security print customers, it means a functional authentication element that may not perform reliably across print runs. Both scenarios carry costs that go beyond the pigment itself.

Kolortek Chromashift series uses a silica-based multilayer stack with aluminum and iron functional layers, where precise layer thickness control determines the color travel sequence and shift intensity. The high silica content (61–88%) in the substrate provides a stable, inert base for the functional coating layers. With 20 years of manufacturing experience in effect pigments, Kolortek maintains process controls focused on the layer deposition parameters that directly determine color shift consistency — the variable that matters most to buyers in color-critical and security applications. Batch samples and color data are available for evaluation before volume commitments.

Sample sets by color travel sequence, grade-specific TDS, and pricing are available upon inquiry. Contact Kolortek's technical team to discuss color sequence requirements, particle size selection, and ink or coating system compatibility.