Glitter Gold Pearlescent Mica for Epoxy & Decorative Applications – KT-355

KT-355 is a Glitter Gold natural mica pearlescent pigment in the 20–120μm particle size range — the glitter-dominant gold grade in the KT-300 series, optimized for epoxy flooring, resin art, decorative coatings, craft applications, and nail lacquer where visible individual-platelet gold sparkle is the primary visual requirement. By starting at 20μm rather than 10μm, KT-355 removes the fine background pearl fraction present in KT-351 Flash Gold, concentrating the visual energy toward bold, individual gold flash reflections. The iron oxide and TiO₂ coating produces a warm gold body color visible on any substrate without requiring a dark base — practical for the broad range of base colors encountered in epoxy and decorative applications.

Particle size is the primary variable controlling whether a gold mica pigment reads as smooth pearl, balanced flash-pearl, or bold glitter. KT-355 at 20–120μm is positioned between KT-351 Flash Gold (10–100μm, which includes background pearl coverage from the fine fraction) and KT-357 Shimmer Gold (20–200μm, which extends further into bold display sparkle territory). The 20μm lower cut removes the diffuse pearl base, making the individual gold flake reflections the dominant visual element.

Technical Specifications

Key Technical Characteristics

20μm lower cut — the glitter threshold: Removing particles below 20μm eliminates the fine fraction that contributes diffuse satin-pearl background coverage. At 20–120μm, the majority of platelets are large enough to reflect light as discrete, visible sparkle events. The result reads as a gold glitter effect rather than a gold pearl — the individual flake reflections are the dominant visual, not a continuous sheen.

Iron oxide gold — no substrate restriction: KT-355 uses ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) to produce warm gold body color independent of substrate. Gold color is visible over white, cream, dark, and transparent bases. For epoxy flooring and resin art applications where the base color varies across projects, this eliminates the need to specify a dark undercoat as a prerequisite for the gold effect.

Three-dimensional depth in resin systems: In clear or tinted epoxy resin, KT-355 platelets distribute throughout the film depth — light reflects from multiple suspension levels within the cured layer, creating a dimensional gold sparkle that reads differently at varying angles and distances. This depth effect is more pronounced in thicker resin pours than in thin coating films.

Settling and mixing considerations: At 20–120μm, platelets settle faster than fine-grade gold pigments in low-viscosity epoxy systems. Incorporate KT-355 into the resin component shortly before mixing with hardener and application — extended hold time after mixing increases settling risk. For decorative coatings, appropriate rheology modification helps maintain uniform distribution during application.

Kolortek has supplied the KT-300 Gold Series for over 20 years with consistent iron oxide loading and particle size distribution across production batches. TDS and SDS are available on request for KT-355.

Application Range

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the visual difference between KT-355 Glitter Gold and KT-351 Flash Gold?
A: Both use identical composition (Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Tin Oxide). The difference is the lower size cut: KT-351 Flash Gold starts at 10μm and includes a fine fraction that contributes background pearl coverage alongside flash points. KT-355 Glitter Gold starts at 20μm, eliminating that fine fraction — the visual is more glitter-forward with less diffuse pearl base. In practical terms, KT-351 reads as "gold pearl with sparkle"; KT-355 reads as "gold glitter."

Q: Can KT-355 be used in nail gel systems?
A: Yes, with formulation consideration. The 20–120μm range produces visible individual gold sparkle in the cured gel film — a common aesthetic in glitter gel nail products. The coarser end of the distribution may settle in lower-viscosity gel bases before cure; pre-mixing into a higher-viscosity portion of the formula before incorporating into the full batch reduces this. Confirm compatibility with your specific gel system and photoinitiator chemistry through bench trials.

Q: Does KT-355 work over white or cream-colored epoxy bases?
A: Yes. Iron oxide-coated mica grades produce gold body color on any substrate color — white, cream, and light-colored epoxy bases included. Unlike interference gold grades (KT-200 series), KT-355 does not require a dark or black base to show the gold effect. The sparkle intensity may appear slightly different against different base tones, but the gold color itself is not substrate-dependent.

Q: Is a synthetic mica glitter gold available?
A: Yes. The KT-7300 synthetic Fluorphlogopite series includes flash and shimmer gold grades at comparable particle sizes — offering higher substrate purity, fewer visible mineral inclusions, and improved weatherfastness compared to natural mica KT-355. Contact Kolortek to discuss the appropriate synthetic mica grade for your application requirements.

Request Samples or Technical Data

Gold glitter sparkle character in epoxy and resin applications is best evaluated in your specific system — resin type, pour depth, and application method all affect how the 20–120μm distribution reads in the finished surface. Contact Kolortek to request a sample of KT-355, download the TDS with particle size distribution data, or discuss glitter gold grade selection across the KT-300 series.