KT-95107 Blue-green/blue/violet/red Chameleon Pigment

What Makes KT-95107 a Four-Stage Color Shift Pigment

Most interference pigments produce a single dominant luster color. KT-95107 operates differently. The multilayer coating — iron oxide and silica applied over a natural mica platelet — creates constructive and destructive interference at different optical path lengths, so the reflected hue cycles through blue-green, blue, violet, and red as the viewing or illumination angle changes. That's four distinct color states in a single pigment particle, which is what distinguishes a genuine multishift chameleon pigment from a standard duochrome.

The TiO₂-free formulation is deliberate. By relying on Fe₂O₃ and Silica as the primary coating oxides, the shift range stays warm-to-cool across the visible spectrum without the whitening effect that TiO₂ can introduce at certain angles. In our application lab, we find this gives formulators cleaner, higher-contrast color travel — especially noticeable in dark-substrate coatings where the mirror effect reads as deep and saturated rather than hazy.

Technical Specifications

Heavy Metal Limits

KT-95107 is tested against restrictive heavy metal thresholds. Documented limits are: As <2 ppm, Hg <1 ppm, Pb <10 ppm, Cd <3 ppm, Ni <10 ppm, Cr <100 ppm, Ba <50 ppm, Cu <50 ppm, Zn <50 ppm, Sb <1 ppm. These figures apply to the product as specified in the TDS dated 01.10.2021. For applications requiring specific regulatory documentation — EU Cosmetics Regulation EC 1223/2009 or US FDA color-additive compliance — contact us to confirm the applicable grade and obtain the relevant batch documentation.

Particle Size Grade and the KT-9000 Series Range

Within the KT-9000 Magic Chameleon Series, particle size is encoded in the product suffix. KT-95107's suffix "07" corresponds to the 10–70 μm medium grade — a size range suited to decorative coatings, automotive custom finishes, and plastic colorants where a balance of color shift intensity and surface smoothness matters. Finer grades (suffix 02: 5–25 μm) are available for cosmetic and ink applications; larger grades (suffix 25/30: 25–130 μm, suffix 75: 75–175 μm) are available where maximum sparkle or visual impact is the priority.

Application Guide: Where Effect Pigment Blue-Violet-Red Shift Performs Best

KT-95107's four-color travel makes it well-matched to applications where the observer moves relative to the coated surface — or where the surface geometry itself creates multiple viewing angles simultaneously. From our experience supporting automotive coating customers, this kind of pigment reads most dramatically on body panels, helmet shells, and motorcycle fairings, where the curvature naturally cycles through the full blue-green-to-red shift range as you move around the object.

Documented application areas for the KT-9000 series include:

• Automotive: Custom finishes, vehicle wraps, specialty OEM coatings
• Decorative coatings: Motorcycle helmets, sporting goods, consumer electronics housings
• Paint & coatings: Industrial and plastic coatings, powder coatings, leather coatings, dispersion paints
• Plastics: Injection-molded colorants, masterbatch, synthetic leather
• Luxury packaging & printing: High-end folding cartons, label printing
• Security printing: Bank notes, negotiable securities — color shift as an authentication feature
• High-end cosmetics: Nail art formulations, eye products (grade and documentation subject to confirmation)

One thing to note: KT-95107 is a four-color shift product, which makes it different from the two-color duochrome grades we offer that are more narrowly targeted at cosmetics (eyeshadow, nail polish). The four-stage shift range broadens the palette of applications toward coatings and plastics — though cosmetic-compatible grades with appropriate regulatory documentation can be arranged on request.

Formulation and Processing Guidance

Substrate Color

The interference mechanism in KT-95107 depends on transmitted light returning through the platelet stack — which means substrate color matters more here than it does for opaque metallic pigments. A black or very dark substrate absorbs transmitted light that would otherwise wash out the interference color, making the shift appear saturated and high-contrast. Over white or pale substrates, the color travel is still present but significantly more subtle. For maximum visual impact in your system, always evaluate on a black drawdown first.

Compatibility and Mixing

KT-95107 is compatible with most resin systems. It can be combined with transparent absorption pigments to modify the base hue or shift the apparent onset color of the travel sequence — a technique we often use when a customer needs the shift to start from a specific color anchor rather than a neutral. Avoid opaque white pigments in the same layer; they reduce transparency and suppress interference. For automotive and high-durability coating applications, a clear topcoat over the pigment layer protects the platelets and enhances perceived depth and mirror effect.

Handling and Storage

As with all platelet-form effect pigments, avoid high shear during dispersion — excessive mechanical force can fracture the mica platelets and reduce the mirror quality of the final film. Store in a sealed container in a well-ventilated area. When handling the powder, use a dust mask, gloves, and eye protection. The product is not classified as hazardous under CLP Regulation EC 1272/2008.

Quality and Compliance

Kolortek operates under ISO 9001:2015 certification covering the production and sales of glitters, pigments, and fillers. KT-95107 is manufactured under REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 and is not classified under CLP (EC No. 1272/2008). The heavy metal limits listed in the specifications section are verified per TDS.

For cosmetic applications requiring documentation under EU Cosmetics Regulation EC 1223/2009, or for US FDA color-additive frameworks, we can supply the relevant compositional and regulatory documentation for the applicable grade — but final suitability depends on grade selection, intended use, and destination market. Confirm your requirements with our technical team before specifying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the color shift sequence of KT-95107, and does it require a specific substrate to be visible?

KT-95107 shifts through four colors — blue-green, blue, violet, and red — depending on the viewing angle. The shift is goniochromatic, driven by multilayer interference in the Fe₂O₃ + Silica coating on natural mica. It is visible on any substrate but performs with the highest contrast and saturation over black or very dark backgrounds, where transmitted light is absorbed rather than reflected back through the pigment layer.

How does chameleon pigment powder KT-95107 differ from other grades in the KT-9000 series?

The "07" suffix identifies the particle size grade: 10–70 μm with a D50 of 24–28 μm. This is a medium grade positioned between the standard 06 (10–60 μm) and the flash-effect 15 (20–100 μm) grades. Finer grades (suffix 02: 5–25 μm) suit inks and cosmetics; coarser grades (suffix 75/100) maximize sparkle for decorative uses. The color travel sequence — blue-green through red — is the same across the particle size range; what changes is the visual texture and surface smoothness of the finished film.

Is KT-95107 suitable for cosmetic formulations, and what certifications apply?

KT-95107's INCI composition (Mica / Iron Oxide / Silica) is used in cosmetic applications, and Kolortek supplies cosmetic-grade chameleon pigments with supporting documentation for EU Cosmetics Regulation EC 1223/2009 and US FDA color-additive frameworks. However, suitability for a specific cosmetic application depends on the grade selected, intended use, and destination market. Request grade-specific documentation before specifying for any cosmetic end use.

Can KT-95107 be used in security printing or anti-counterfeiting applications?

Yes. Angle-dependent color shift is a recognized authentication feature in security printing, and the KT-9000 Magic Chameleon Series is documented for use in high-security printing of bank notes and negotiable securities. KT-95107's four-stage shift — covering a broad range from blue-green to red — provides a visually striking and difficult-to-replicate optical signature. For specific formulation requirements in this application, contact our technical team directly.

Reach out to our technical team to discuss formulation requirements, grade selection, or regulatory documentation for your specific application.