KT-98528 Red/Blue Green Chameleon Pigment Powder

What Makes KT-98528 a True Chameleon Effect Pigment

The KT-9000 Magic Chameleon Series is built on multi-layer interference technology applied to a natural mica substrate. KT-98528 specifically exploits thin-film optical interference across alternating mica, iron oxide, and silica layers to produce angle-dependent color travel. As the observation angle changes, the dominant reflected wavelength shifts — cycling between the red and blue-green regions of the visible spectrum. The result is a high mirror-like finish with strong chroma at oblique angles.

This effect is purely inorganic. There are no dyes, no organic colorants, and no TiO₂ in the composition — which matters for both weatherability and regulatory positioning. Iron oxide provides the base absorption, while the silica overcoat controls the interference layer thickness and protects the platelet surface. In our application lab, we consistently find that inorganic constructions like this hold their color travel under long-term UV and thermal cycling far better than dye-sensitized alternatives.

Substrate color plays a decisive role in how the effect reads. On black or very dark backgrounds, the full red-to-blue-green travel is vivid and high-contrast. On white or light substrates, the interference colors wash out against the reflected background — something to plan for at the formulation stage, not after the first drawdown.

Technical Specifications

Chemical Composition

Heavy Metal Profile

All heavy metal content is tested and held well below regulatory thresholds applicable to coatings and cosmetics markets. The table below reflects the specification limits for KT-98528.

Application Guide: Where the Red/Blue-Green Color Shift Performs Best

Across the KT-9000 series, automotive custom finishes represent the single largest application — and KT-98528 is well-suited to this context. Custom wraps, specialty refinish systems, and motorcycle helmet coatings all benefit from the strong oblique-angle contrast between the red face tone and the blue-green flop. A clear topcoat is standard practice in these applications; it locks the platelet orientation, protects the silica overcoat, and amplifies the depth of the mirror effect.

High-end cosmetics and nail art are a natural fit for this grade's particle size range. The 30–150 μm distribution produces a visible sparkle alongside the color travel — which works well in nail gel systems and pressed eyeshadow formats. For brands developing cosmetic products under EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009, cosmetic-grade options and supporting composition documents are available; final suitability depends on the selected grade and the intended use, so we recommend discussing your application with our technical team before committing to a formulation specification.

Luxury packaging, security printing, and anti-counterfeiting are also documented applications for the KT-9000 series. The multi-layer interference construction is inherently difficult to reproduce with standard printing processes, which gives packaging designers and security document printers an optically verifiable authentication element. The pigment is also compatible with plastic coatings, powder coatings, leather coatings, and dispersion paint systems — making it a versatile option for decorative industrial applications beyond the primary automotive and cosmetics markets.

Substrate and Formulation Considerations

KT-98528 is compatible with most resin systems. That said, substrate preparation matters more here than with standard pearlescent pigments. A black or near-black base is the practical prerequisite for achieving the full red-to-blue-green travel; on white substrates, the shift is substantially muted. If a dark base coat is not part of the intended system, combining KT-98528 with a compatible transparent absorption pigment can extend the effective color shift range and deepen the base — a technique we use routinely in our application lab when customers need to work around light substrate constraints.

Higher pigment loading increases the perceived intensity of the color shift but also affects surface smoothness, particularly in coating and print systems. This trade-off is worth mapping empirically across your specific resin and application method — recommended dosage rates are not published in our current datasheet for KT-98528, so preliminary drawdown trials across a loading range are the right starting point. Dispersion should be kept gentle: the platelet orientation that drives the goniochromatic response is easily disrupted by high-shear mixing.

Quality, Compliance, and Supply

Kolortek's quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015, covering production and sales of pigments, glitters, and fillers. TDS and SDS documentation is available for KT-98528 on request. Heavy metal content is tested against the limits tabulated above.

KT-98528 is not classified as hazardous under CLP Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008, nor under the predecessor Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC. The product is insoluble in water and odourless. Standard industrial hygiene measures apply during handling — avoid generating airborne dust, use appropriate respiratory protection (dust mask covering nose and mouth) when handling bulk quantities, and wear gloves and eye protection. Full handling and first-aid guidance is detailed in the product SDS.

For customers evaluating chameleon powder pigment options across multiple grades, we maintain a cross-reference program aligning KT-9000 series grades with major industry benchmarks. A specific equivalent for KT-98528 is not published in our current documentation, but our technical sales team can support that comparison directly. Flexible small-batch orders and batch-to-batch consistency across iron oxide and silica coating layers are part of how we support development-stage projects before customers scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the particle size of KT-98528 and how does it affect the visual effect?

KT-98528 has a particle size range of 30–150 μm with a D50 of approximately 49–65 μm. The larger platelet size in this range contributes to the strong mirror-like finish and high chroma at oblique angles that the KT-9000 series is characterized by. Finer cuts within the range tend to reduce specular intensity but improve surface smoothness — a trade-off relevant to print and cosmetic applications where texture matters alongside color travel.

Does KT-98528 require a dark substrate to show the red/blue-green color shift?

Yes — a black or very dark substrate is strongly recommended to achieve the full red-to-blue-green color travel. On white or light substrates, the interference colors lose contrast against the background reflection and the shift becomes subtle. In practice, most automotive and coating applications using this grade incorporate a black base coat. For systems where a dark base is not possible, blending with a transparent absorption pigment can partially compensate.

Is KT-98528 suitable for cosmetic applications under EU Cosmetics Regulation?

KT-98528's INCI name is Mica – Iron Oxide – Silica, which are all permitted colorant categories under EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009. Kolortek can supply composition documentation and cosmetic-grade options. That said, final suitability for a specific cosmetic use depends on the selected grade and the intended application — product-specific cosmetic approval status is not pre-certified for this code, so formulation-level confirmation with our technical team is the correct path before proceeding.

What industries does the KT-9000 Magic Chameleon Series serve, and where does KT-98528 fit?

The KT-9000 series spans automotive custom finishes and wraps, high-end cosmetics and nail art, luxury packaging, security and anti-counterfeiting printing, decorative coatings (helmets, sporting goods), plastic coatings, leather coatings, and powder coatings. KT-98528 sits within the 98500 multicolor sub-series — a group of grades designed for applications where a 3-or-more-color shift range is a visual requirement. Its specific red/blue-green shift makes it well-matched to automotive and coatings use cases where high-contrast goniochromatic drama is the design intent.

Contact our technical team to discuss formulation requirements for your specific application.