Iriodin 300 Gold Pearl Equivalent KT-300 Mica Pigment

KT-300 is a natural mica-based effect pigment — mica flakes uniformly coated with TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, and SnO₂. The iron oxide content drives the warm golden tone; the tin oxide layer contributes to coating stability and luster depth. Particle size runs 10–60μm, which puts it in the general-purpose range: fine enough for most printing and cosmetic applications, coarse enough to register visible sparkle in coatings and plastics.

Compared to conventional copper gold powder, the mica base gives KT-300 a more transparent, layered visual quality — what formulators often describe as a "third-dimension" effect. The light interference mechanism allows the gold tone to shift slightly with viewing angle, which copper bronzes simply cannot replicate.

KT-300 as an Iriodin 300 Equivalent

Merck's Iriodin 300 Gold Pearl is widely used across industrial and cosmetic applications as a benchmark gold pearl. KT-300 is formulated to the same specification: natural mica substrate, 10–60μm particle range, TiO₂ + Fe₂O₃ + SnO₂ coating system. In side-by-side dispersion tests across solvent-borne and water-borne systems, the color coordinates and luster profile align closely enough for direct substitution in most formulations.

Worth noting: "equivalent" here means matched composition and visual output — not identical sourcing. Any direct substitution should be validated against your specific system, particularly if working in cosmetic or regulated applications where raw material documentation matters.

Gold Series — Full Model Overview

KT-300 is one reference point in a broader gold series spanning natural mica (KT-300 series) and synthetic fluorphlogopite (KT-7300 series). The table below covers both, organized by particle size range and substrate type.

Natural Mica — KT-300 Series

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite — KT-7300 Series

Natural Mica vs. Synthetic Fluorphlogopite — Which to Use

For most industrial coating, ink, and general plastic applications, the natural mica KT-300 series is the practical choice. It covers the full range of gold tones, processes cleanly in standard dispersion equipment, and the cost structure is straightforward.

The KT-7300 synthetic series becomes relevant when the application demands higher chemical purity — specifically cosmetics, skincare, and lip products where the lower heavy-metal trace content of fluorphlogopite is an advantage. Synthetic mica also tends to produce a slightly brighter, cleaner luster, which some formulators prefer in transparent cosmetic bases. In practice, if you're formulating a decorative coating or an industrial ink, the natural mica series will perform without issue. If you're building a lip gloss or foundation and your brand requires synthetic mica declaration on the INCI list, the KT-7300 series is the right path.

Applications

The 10–60μm particle range of KT-300 covers a wide application window. Fine-particle grades within this range (closer to the 10μm end) disperse well in gravure and flexographic inks, producing a smooth gold tone without visible grain. The coarser end of the range registers more sparkle — suitable for epoxy floor coatings, artificial marble, and countertop applications where visual impact at distance matters.

Cosmetic and soap applications are well established. For nail products specifically, the mid-range particle sizes provide the balance of visual coverage and smooth film formation that nail lacquer systems require. Craft and art resin applications can utilize the full range, including the larger-particle shimmer and glitter grades from the extended series.

• Printing inks (gravure, flexographic, screen)
• Decorative and industrial coatings
• Cosmetics and personal care (lotions, eyeshadow, highlighters)
• Soap and bath products
• Nail lacquers and nail art
• Epoxy floor coatings
• Artificial marble and countertops
• Craft resins and art applications

Key Characteristics

The TiO₂ + Fe₂O₃ + SnO₂ coating system on natural mica produces a warm, semi-transparent gold luster — distinctly different from the flat, opaque tone of metallic copper powders. The transparency allows underlying substrates or base coat colors to interact with the pigment layer, enabling more complex visual effects in multilayer systems.

Blendability is a practical asset here. Because each grade in the series is built on a consistent substrate and coating chemistry, they mix predictably. Controlled blending of KT-300 with adjacent series grades — for example, introducing a redder tone from KT-353 — yields reproducible intermediate effects without unexpected compatibility issues.

Batch-to-batch consistency is worth confirming with any pigment supplier you qualify. Color coordinates and luster output should remain stable across production lots — this matters most in decorative coating lines and cosmetic manufacturing where visual consistency is a product requirement, not just a preference.

Practical Formulation Notes

KT-300 is compatible with most solvent-borne, water-borne, and UV-curable systems. Standard handling precautions apply: avoid high-shear dispersion processes that can fracture the mica platelet and reduce luster. Low-shear mixing at the letdown stage, or post-addition to a pre-dispersed base, is the typical approach.

Loading levels vary by application. In coatings, 2–8% by weight is common. In cosmetic formulations, 1–5% depending on the base. Higher loadings in transparent systems can crowd the platelet alignment and reduce the interference luster — it's worth testing at your target film thickness rather than assuming a standard load rate will optimize appearance.

That said, the iron oxide coating makes these grades slightly more opaque than silver-white pearlescent grades. If you need maximum transparency with a gold tone, the KT-7300 series synthetic grades with thinner coating layers may give a cleaner result in high-transparency systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is KT-300 a direct drop-in replacement for Iriodin 300 in an existing formulation?
A: In most cases, yes. The composition — natural mica, TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, SnO₂, 10–60μm — matches Iriodin 300 Gold Pearl directly. That said, any supplier change should be validated in your specific system. Request a sample and run side-by-side color and luster evaluation before switching production lots.

Q: Can KT-300 be used in cosmetic formulations?
A: Yes. The composition is standard for cosmetic-grade iron oxide mica pigments. Documentation including MSDS, TDS, and COA is available. For applications requiring synthetic mica on the INCI declaration, the KT-7300 fluorphlogopite series is the appropriate alternative.

Q: What's the difference between KT-300 Gold Pearl and KT-320 Bright Gold?
A: Both are in the 10–60μm range on natural mica, but KT-320 is formulated for a higher-intensity, brighter gold tone — typically achieved through a modified coating weight or layer structure. KT-300 is the reference gold pearl; KT-320 is oriented toward higher visual saturation. Samples are the fastest way to confirm which fits your target appearance.

Q: What documentation is available for procurement qualification?
A: Standard documentation includes MSDS, TDS, and COA. REACH compliance documentation and SGS/TÜV SÜD test reports are available on request. Kosher certification is also available where required.

Request Samples or Technical Data

If you're evaluating KT-300 as an iriodin 300 equivalent or sourcing across the full gold series, samples and full technical documentation are available. Contact contact@kolortek.com with your application details and target particle size range — the right starting point depends on your substrate and intended visual output.