Green Pearl Interference Pigment, Natural Mica – KT-235

KT-235 is a green pearl interference pigment from the KT-200 natural mica Interference Series — the thickest TiO₂ coating grade in the standard interference color range, tuned to reflect green-phase wavelengths through selective thin-film interference. Like all KT-200 interference pigments, the powder appears off-white in bulk; the green pearl color becomes visible only over dark, black, or transparent substrates. For cosmetic formulators, coating developers, and craft suppliers working with substrates where base color can be controlled, KT-235 provides a clean, dye-free green iridescent pearl that is stable over time and compatible with standard binder systems.

Product Positioning

Within the KT-200 Interference Series, green pearl occupies the highest TiO₂ coating thickness position — thicker than gold, red, violet, and blue interference grades. Each increment in coating thickness shifts the constructive interference peak toward longer wavelengths across the visible spectrum: gold → red → violet → blue → green. KT-235 sits at the green end of this progression. The complementary color suppressed by the green interference is red-pink — the primary formulation constraint that determines which bases are compatible and which must be avoided.

KT-235 is a standard interference pigment, not a chameleon or goniochromatic grade. The green pearl reads consistently at all viewing angles on dark substrates — it does not shift to another color as the angle changes. Angle-dependent color travel requires Kolortek's chameleon interference series, which uses a different coating architecture.

Substrate Color and the Green Interference Effect

The thick rutile TiO₂ coating creates an optical path that reflects green-wavelength light constructively. The complementary color — red-pink — is simultaneously suppressed. On a dark substrate, the red-pink wavelengths are absorbed into the base, leaving a clean green interference pearl. On a white or light substrate, all wavelengths reflect freely and the green color is masked. On a red, pink, or magenta base, the complementary conflict produces a flat, desaturated result regardless of loading level.

Technical Specifications

Key Technical Characteristics

Green occupies the highest TiO₂ coating thickness in the standard interference series: The relationship between coating thickness and interference color follows a fixed optical progression across the KT-200 range. Green is generated by the thickest TiO₂ layer — which means it also has the most complex interference behavior and is the most sensitive to deviations in coating uniformity. Batch-to-batch TiO₂ thickness consistency is the manufacturing parameter that determines how reproducible the green interference color is across production lots.

Dye-free green color — stability advantage over organic colorants: The green pearl of KT-235 is generated entirely by TiO₂ coating physics, not by organic green dyes or colorants. Organic green dyes are among the least lightfast categories of cosmetic and coating colorants — they tend to fade or yellow with UV exposure. KT-235's interference color is inherently more stable under UV because the TiO₂ coating layer is the optical active element, not an organic chromophore.

Fine grades for printing ink and airbrush applications: For printing ink, flexo, and airbrush applications, confirm the D90 particle size from the TDS against your nozzle or screen specification before ordering. Fine grades with D90 below 25μm are required for most gravure and flexo press configurations. Coarser grades deliver stronger individual-flake sparkle for brush-applied coatings, nail lacquer, and resin art where smooth film formation is not a constraint.

Application Range

Formulation Notes

Mixing protocol: Add KT-235 at the letdown stage after all high-shear dispersion steps are complete. Use low-shear paddle or anchor mixing. Mechanical fracture of mica platelets from high-speed dispersers or tight-clearance pumps reduces D50 and degrades interference color saturation — the green becomes less chromatic and the pearl character flattens. For brush-applied coatings and resin art, this sensitivity is moderate; for fine-grade printing ink, it is more critical.

Confirm base color before development scale-up: Apply KT-235 over a black drawdown card before committing to any base color in your formulation. If the green interference color is not visible and saturated on black, the grade, loading level, or application method needs adjustment before evaluating on your actual substrate.

Kolortek has produced the KT-200 Interference Series for over 20 years with controlled TiO₂ coating thickness uniformity across batches — the parameter that most directly determines green interference color accuracy. TDS, SDS, and INCI documentation are available on request for KT-235 and all grades in the series. Custom particle size grades are available for volume buyers with specific application requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is green the most difficult interference color to achieve consistently in manufacturing?
A: Green requires the thickest TiO₂ coating in the standard interference progression — and the relationship between coating thickness and interference wavelength is non-linear at the green end of the visible spectrum. Small deviations in coating thickness that would cause minimal color shift at the gold or red interference level produce more noticeable shifts at green. Consistent green interference color across production batches requires tighter coating process control than lower-thickness interference colors — which is why batch-to-batch consistency is the primary manufacturing quality criterion for this grade.

Q: Can KT-235 replace organic green pigments or dyes in cosmetic formulations?
A: Partially, with important differences. Organic green colorants — phthalo green, chrome oxide, chromium oxide hydrate — provide flat, opaque green body color on any substrate, including white. KT-235 provides a green interference pearl that only develops on dark or transparent substrates. In applications where the cosmetic is applied over skin (which has a flesh-pink tone, not dark), the green interference effect is partially suppressed by the skin's color. KT-235 is most effective in eye shadow and pressed powder applications where it is layered over a dark eyeshadow base, or where skin depth provides sufficient contrast. It is not a direct replacement for body-color green pigments.

Q: Is the green interference color of KT-235 the same as a holographic pigment's green?
A: No. Holographic pigments use diffraction gratings to produce a rainbow spectrum of colors across the surface, with colors appearing and disappearing depending on viewing angle and light source angle. KT-235 produces a single green interference color that reads consistently at all viewing angles on dark substrates — there is no rainbow spread and no angle-dependent color shift. Holographic effects and standard interference effects are mechanically distinct. If a rainbow spectrum or angle-dependent multi-color effect is required, Kolortek's holographic or chameleon pigment series is the appropriate specification.

Request Samples or Technical Data

Green interference pearl performance is substrate-dependent — evaluating KT-235 on a black drawdown card and your actual application substrate before specifying for production is the standard qualification step. Contact Kolortek to request a sample for application trials, download the TDS with particle size data, or discuss grade selection across the KT-200 Interference Series.