Glitter White Pearlescent Mica Powder, 20–100μm – KT-153

KT-153 is a glitter white pearlescent mica powder in the 20–100μm particle size range — a natural mica grade coated with rutile TiO₂ that produces a bright, glitter-like silver-white sparkle in coatings, epoxy systems, nail products, and decorative applications. At this distribution, the lower size cut removes the very fine fraction that contributes to background pearl coverage, concentrating the visual output toward individual platelet flash reflections — the result is a more glitter-like sparkle character than a standard 10–60μm silver white grade, without the surface texture limitations of purely coarse 40–200μm grades.

Product Positioning

Within the KT-100 Silver White Series, KT-153 fills the gap between standard balanced-pearl grades (10–60μm) and bold flash-pearl grades (40–200μm+). By starting at 20μm rather than 10μm, it reduces the very fine platelet fraction that reads as diffuse satin coverage — shifting the overall visual character toward a glitter-dominant sparkle effect. For formulators who find standard silver white grades too subtle and coarse flash grades too texturally coarse for their substrate, KT-153 at 20–100μm is the practical mid-sparkle specification.

Visual Effect vs. Particle Size — Where KT-153 Fits

Note: The 20μm lower cut means KT-153 is not suitable for printing ink applications — nozzle and screen specifications in most gravure, flexo, and digital press systems require D90 below 25μm. For printing, specify a fine-grade KT-100 variant with confirmed sub-25μm D90.

Technical Specifications

Key Technical Characteristics

Why the 20μm lower cut changes the visual output: Standard silver white grades starting at 10μm contain a significant fine fraction — platelets below 20μm produce a continuous diffuse sheen that reads as pearl background coverage. Removing this fraction shifts the visual energy toward the larger platelets that generate visible individual flash reflections. At 20–100μm, the glitter character dominates over the pearl background — the effect reads brighter and more sparkle-forward at equivalent loading levels compared to a 10–60μm grade.

Rutile TiO₂ coating — brightness and stability: The rutile phase TiO₂ coating provides a refractive index of approximately 2.70 and lower photocatalytic activity than anatase. For epoxy floor coatings and decorative applications with UV exposure, the rutile coating maintains color stability over service life better than anatase-coated equivalents. The high refractive index also contributes directly to the brightness of each individual platelet flash — critical for a glitter-character grade where per-flake reflectivity matters.

Blending for silver-grey metallic and bright silver effects: Adding 0.1–0.5% carbon black to KT-153 shifts the system toward a silver-grey metallic appearance — the dark background increases the reflective contrast of each flash point. Combined with aluminum paste, KT-153 adds pearlescent depth to the metallic effect, producing a brighter and more complex silver finish than aluminum paste alone.

Natural mica black spot consideration at coarser grades: Natural mica contains trace mineral inclusions that appear as small dark specks. At 20–100μm, these inclusions are more visible in finished applications than in fine silk grades — individual platelets are large enough to show inclusion contrast. For applications where substrate purity is a critical specification (prestige coatings, high-gloss surfaces), specify the KT-7100 synthetic mica series (Fluorphlogopite), which offers significantly higher substrate purity.

Application Range

Formulation Notes

Mixing protocol: Add KT-153 at the letdown stage, after all high-shear dispersion steps are complete. At 20–100μm, the larger platelets in the distribution are more fragile than fine-grade particles — high-shear mixers, ball mills, and tight-clearance recirculation pumps will fracture them, reducing the effective D50 and eliminating the glitter sparkle character. Use low-shear paddle or anchor agitation for incorporation and final blending.

Typical loading levels: Epoxy flooring and resin applications typically run 3–10% by weight depending on sparkle density preference. Decorative coatings generally use 3–8%. Nail lacquer formulations vary widely — bench trials at 2–6% are a practical starting range. Higher loading increases sparkle density but does not proportionally increase individual flash intensity once optimal platelet packing is reached.

Kolortek has produced the KT-100 Silver White Series for over 20 years with controlled rutile TiO₂ coating uniformity and consistent D50/D90 particle size distribution across production batches — the manufacturing variables most directly responsible for glitter sparkle character and batch-to-batch visual consistency. TDS and SDS are available on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the practical difference between KT-153 (20–100μm) and KT-152 (10–100μm) flash silver?
A: Both grades share the same 100μm upper limit and produce visible individual platelet sparkle. The key difference is the lower cut: KT-152 starts at 10μm, which means it retains a fine fraction that contributes a pearl background coverage alongside the flash. KT-153 starts at 20μm, removing more of that fine background fraction — the result is a more glitter-dominant visual with less diffuse pearl base. Choose KT-152 when you want pearl background plus flash; choose KT-153 when the sparkle-forward glitter character is the priority.

Q: Is KT-153 suitable for cosmetic applications?
A: KT-153 can be used in certain cosmetic applications — body glitter, hair products, and some nail applications where visible individual particle sparkle is acceptable and the coarser particle size is not a skin-feel concern. For face powders, pressed cosmetics, and eye shadows where smooth skin feel is a priority, finer-grade KT-100 variants are more appropriate. For cosmetic use, confirm INCI documentation availability with Kolortek before specifying.

Q: Can KT-153 replace PET glitter in epoxy formulations?
A: KT-153 is not a direct visual substitute for PET glitter — PET glitter produces a flat, angular sparkle with high color saturation (in colored versions), while KT-153 produces a pearlescent silver sparkle with a softer, more dimensional light reflection character. In epoxy floor applications where the goal is a natural, mineral-like silver shimmer rather than the sharp synthetic-glitter look, KT-153 is a practical alternative. The two materials produce different aesthetics and are often used in combination rather than as direct replacements.

Request Samples or Technical Documentation

Glitter sparkle character is best evaluated in your specific application — epoxy film thickness, resin viscosity, and application method all affect how KT-153 reads in the finished product. Contact Kolortek to request a grade sample, download the TDS with full D50/D90 particle size distribution data, or discuss grade selection across the KT-100 Silver White Series.