KT-90229 Red/Olivine Multichrome Pigment

What Makes KT-90229 a True Color Shift Pigment

The KT-9000 Magic Chameleon Series is built on natural mica platelets coated with alternating layers of TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, silica, and additional metal oxides. The interference mechanism is purely physical — as the angle of incident light changes, the optical path length through the coating stack changes, and a different wavelength is selectively reflected. KT-90229 exploits this to produce a warm red at one viewing angle that transitions toward olivine as the angle opens.

Unlike a single-layer pearl pigment that simply shifts between a specular highlight and a transmission color, this multi-layer architecture drives a distinct, named color at each extreme of the shift. The red-to-olivine pairing is one of the more distinctive combinations we offer in the series — the two endpoints sit far enough apart on the spectrum to give a clearly readable transition, especially in formulations applied over dark substrates.

One thing to note: the perceived travel intensity is substrate-dependent. On black or very dark bases the effect reads at full contrast; on white or light-colored substrates the shift is substantially muted. We factor this into application guidance routinely when working with coating and cosmetics customers alike.

Technical Specifications

Chemical Composition

Heavy Metal Limits

Application Guide for Coating Color Shift Pigment

The KT-9000 series is compatible with most resin systems, making KT-90229 accessible across a broad range of coating platforms. Automotive custom finishes and wraps represent the highest-volume use case we see — the multi-layer construction holds up well under a clear topcoat, which we always recommend in automotive contexts to protect the interference layers and maximize optical depth. The same approach applies to motorcycle helmets, sporting goods, and other decorative coating substrates.

Beyond automotive, the red/olivine shift fits well in luxury packaging, security and anti-counterfeiting printing, and high-end cosmetics including nail art. The all-inorganic composition — mica, TiO₂, silica — is consistent with INCI requirements, and cosmetic-grade documentation is available; final suitability under EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 depends on the selected grade and intended use, so contact us to confirm before committing to a formulation.

For plastics and synthetic leather, the series has an established track record. In printing applications — particularly security printing for banknotes and negotiable securities — the goniochromatic shift provides a machine-readable and visually obvious authentication feature that is difficult to replicate with conventional single-layer pigments.

A practical note on substrate selection: applying KT-90229 over a black basecoat consistently produces the most readable red-to-olivine transition. Light or white substrates wash out the contrast between the two interference endpoints. If your system cannot use a dark base, combining KT-90229 with a compatible transparent absorption pigment can partially compensate by darkening the underlying optical environment — though the degree of shift improvement will vary by formulation.

Formulation and Processing of Multichrome Mica Powder

Dispersion is where most problems originate with platelet-based effect pigments. The multi-layer interference coating on KT-90229 is intact by design and needs to stay that way through your mixing process. Never run this pigment through a sand mill, bead mill, or high-speed disperser. All of these will mechanically fracture the mica platelets and destroy the layered structure responsible for the color shift — you will end up with a washed-out, degraded effect that no downstream adjustment can recover.

The correct approach is to pre-wet the pigment in a portion of your solvent or resin component first, then incorporate the slurry into the main batch under low-speed stirring at the final addition stage. Adding it late keeps shear exposure minimal. In our application lab, we typically see the best results when the pre-wetting step is given adequate time — rushing this phase often leads to uneven dispersion rather than any mechanical damage, but uneven distribution will still compromise the uniformity of the color travel in the finished film.

The pH window of 6.0–9.0 covers the majority of waterborne and solvent-borne coating systems without compatibility issues. The pigment is water-insoluble and odourless, which simplifies handling in most production environments. General loading in paints and coatings runs 1–20% by weight depending on desired effect intensity; product-specific loading guidance for KT-90229 is available from our technical team for your particular resin system.

Handling and Storage

Avoid generating dust during handling — use appropriate ventilation and wear a dust mask, eye protection, and gloves. The product is not classified as hazardous under CLP Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 or Directive 67/548/EEC, but standard industrial hygiene practices apply. Store in a well-ventilated location in a sealed container.

Quality and Compliance

KT-90229 is produced under our ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, which covers production and sales of pigments. REACH compliance documentation is available; note that our registered REACH certificate specifically covers fluorphlogopite (synthetic mica) grades — for natural mica grades, confirm the applicable registration documentation with us directly.

For cosmetic applications, composition documentation supporting EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 review is available on request. US FDA color-additive framework grades are also offered for relevant product applications. Halal and Kosher documentation may be available for applicable grades — check the current product attachment before making application-specific claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the color shift range of KT-90229, and on what substrates does it perform best?

KT-90229 shifts from red to olivine as the viewing angle changes, driven by multi-layer TiO₂/silica interference on natural mica at a particle size of 20–80 μm (D50 25–35 μm). The shift is most readable on dark or black substrates, which provide the optical contrast the interference layers need. On light or white bases, the perceived color travel is substantially reduced.

Can KT-90229 be used in cosmetic formulations, and is it compliant with EU regulations?

The KT-9000 series, including KT-90229, is applied in high-end cosmetics and nail art. Its INCI name is Mica / Titanium Dioxide / Silica, and it carries an all-inorganic composition with heavy metals controlled well below standard limits (e.g., Pb <10 ppm, As <2 ppm). Cosmetic-grade documentation supporting EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 is available; final compliance confirmation depends on grade and intended application — contact us to verify before formulating.

What processing equipment should be avoided when dispersing this multi chrome pigment?

Sand mills, bead mills, and high-speed dispersers must not be used with KT-90229 or any KT-9000 series grade. High-shear equipment fragments the mica platelets and disrupts the multi-layer interference coating, permanently degrading the color shift effect. The correct method is low-speed stirring, with the pigment pre-wetted in solvent or resin and added at the final formulation stage.

Which industries typically use KT-9000 series multichrome pigment grades?

The KT-9000 series is used across automotive custom finishes and wraps, decorative coatings (motorcycle helmets, sporting goods), high-end cosmetics and nail art, luxury packaging, security and anti-counterfeiting printing (banknotes, negotiable securities), plastics, and synthetic leather. The series is compatible with most resin systems and suitable for both solvent-borne and waterborne platforms within the product's pH range of 6.0–9.0.

Contact our technical team to discuss formulation requirements or to request a sample of KT-90229 for your specific application.