Holographic Chrome Pigments & Holo Flakes

Technical Description

Holographic pigments function through the physics of light diffraction rather than simple reflection. Each micron-sized flake is embossed with a microscopic diffractive grating structure. When light hits these gratings, it is split into its constituent spectral colors—much like a prism—creating a moving "rainbow" over a bright, metallic silver base.

• Structural Integrity: Utilizing an aluminum core coated with silica and titanium dioxide, these pigments provide high opacity and a mirror-like chrome finish.

• Thermal & Chemical Stability: With a boiling point exceeding 300°C and a robust silica-coated structure, these pigments maintain their diffractive properties during high-temperature plastic extrusion and across various solvent-based or water-borne coating systems.

• Precision Geometry: The ultra-thin, flat morphology of the flakes ensures superior leafing properties and a smooth surface finish, minimizing light scattering for a cleaner spectral shift.

Key Features & Benefits

• Multi-Spectral Prism Effect: Generates a vivid rainbow color travel that moves dynamically over a liquid silver background, increasing the perceived value of premium consumer goods.

• High Opacity: The aluminum core ensures excellent hiding power, allowing for effective coverage even at low pigment loading levels.

• Excellent Dispersibility: Engineered for uniform distribution in high-end lacquers, resins, and gels without clumping.

• Industrial Durability: Chemically insoluble and heat-resistant, ensuring the holographic effect remains stable throughout the product’s lifecycle.

Product Pictures

Applications

Holographic effect intensity depends on light source directionality. Diffuse or low-intensity light reduces the visible rainbow color movement. Evaluate under conditions representative of the end-use lighting environment.

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

Designers and formulators working with rainbow or full-spectrum color effects face a recurring problem: interference pigments and color-shift pigments each produce color at specific angles or within a limited color range — they do not generate the continuous full-spectrum rainbow movement that holographic diffraction produces. Achieving a genuine holographic rainbow effect in a coating or ink system has historically required sourcing from a small number of specialized suppliers, often at significant cost and with limited grade options. A secondary challenge is formulation compatibility: holographic flakes have very different physical characteristics from mica-based pearlescents — lower density, different platelet geometry, different settling behavior — and formulators switching from pearlescent to holographic pigments cannot simply substitute on a weight-for-weight basis.

Kolortek Holographic series uses a silica/aluminum/TiO₂ structure where the aluminum layer provides the high-reflectivity silver base that makes the diffraction grating pattern visible as a bright, liquid-silver holographic effect. The silica matrix and TiO₂ coating protect the aluminum from chemical interaction with the formulation environment — relevant for water-based systems where unprotected aluminum would corrode. The low density of 1.4 g/cm³ and apparent density of 0.3–0.8 kg/dm³ are provided in the TDS specifically because they affect formulation behavior; Kolortek provides this data upfront so formulators can design the dispersion and loading approach correctly before beginning trials. With 20 years of effect pigment manufacturing experience, Kolortek maintains consistent diffraction grating structure and particle size across production batches — the two variables that directly determine holographic color intensity and consistency in the applied film.

Sample sets, grade-specific TDS and SDS, and pricing are available upon inquiry. Contact Kolortek's technical team with your formulation system type, target particle size, and application environment to identify the appropriate grade.