KT-T60-10-WR Galaxy Silver Xirallic Alternative for Automotive Coatings

What Makes KT-T60-10-WR a Viable Silver Automotive Effect Pigment

The visual character of KT-T60-10-WR comes directly from its substrate: aluminum oxide crystals are optically purer and more geometrically consistent than natural mica, which is why Al₂O₃-based pigments produce that distinctive sharp, high-depth sparkle — the quality that Xirallic built its reputation on in the automotive OEM segment. Our Galaxy Silver shade sits at the neutral end of the XiallicSparks palette, making it a practical anchor point for formulators building silver metallic basecoats where clean luster and sparkle intensity are the primary targets.

At 6–30 μm particle size, the pigment produces coarse-to-medium sparkle consistent with the flake sizes used in premium automotive waterborne and solvent-borne basecoats. The range sits within the zone where individual flake orientation in a properly applied basecoat delivers the flip-flop and depth that distinguishes effect coatings from conventional metallics.

XiallicSparks Series — Full Shade Range

KT-T60-10-WR is one of eleven shades in the XiallicSparks lineup. All variants share the Al₂O₃ crystal substrate and the 6–30 μm particle size range. The table below lists the full range as documented.

Application: Automotive Coatings Only

KT-T60-10-WR is recommended for automotive coating applications — OEM production, refinish, and custom/aftermarket finishes. In our portfolio, it sits alongside the KT-8000 DreamStar series under "luxury sparkle" automotive applications, reflecting the market segment where Al₂O₃-based effects genuinely earn their price point.

This product is intended for basecoat/clearcoat systems. We do not currently document its use in plastics, printing inks, cosmetics, or general industrial coatings, and we would not recommend extrapolating compatibility without formulation testing specific to those systems.

Formulation and Processing Guidance

A key consideration with any Al₂O₃ crystal effect pigment is mechanical sensitivity during dispersion. High-shear mixing — the kind used for grinding conventional pigments — damages the platelet structure and kills the sparkle effect. KT-T60-10-WR should be added at the low-shear letdown stage, after any grinding cycles are complete. Avoid recirculation loops that expose the pigment to prolonged shear.

Proper flash-off time between basecoat and clearcoat is important for platelet orientation. Rushing the clearcoat application traps solvents and can disrupt the flake alignment that produces the depth and flip-flop characteristic of this pigment class. General basecoat guidelines suggest targeting a 15–25 μm dry film thickness, with pigment loading kept within the range appropriate for effect pigments in automotive basecoat systems — consult our TDS for system-specific recommendations.

Specific density, oil absorption, and solvent-system compatibility data for KT-T60-10-WR are not yet published in our standard documentation. Formulators moving from Merck Xirallic formulations should request our TDS and run parallel application tests to confirm behavior in their specific binder system before full production rollout.

Positioning Against Merck Xirallic: What Changes, What Doesn't

The XiallicSparks series was built specifically to address procurement constraints that automotive coating formulators face when sourcing from a single Tier-1 supplier. Merck Xirallic is an Al₂O₃ crystal platform with strong market recognition — but it comes with corresponding pricing and single-source dependency. As a xirallic pigment alternative supplier with factory-direct access to both the raw substrate and the coating process, Kolortek can offer comparable visual performance with documented cost savings of 20–40%, while supplying TDS, MSDS/SDS, and supporting regulatory documentation.

That said, we do not claim universal drop-in compatibility without testing. Particle size distribution, surface treatment details, and binder interaction behavior can differ between manufacturers even when the substrate class is the same. Formulators should run side-by-side drawdowns in their actual coating system before committing to a full batch substitution. In our experience supporting customers through this process, alignment on film-build, application method, and flash schedule typically resolves most handling differences.

Quality and Compliance

Kolortek operates under an ISO 9001:2015 quality management system covering production and sales of effect pigments and related products. TDS and MSDS/SDS documentation are standard for every shipment. The company maintains low heavy metal content controls across its pigment lines.

Regulatory documentation packages are available on request, subject to the specific grade, batch, and destination market. One note for procurement teams: our REACH registration certificate on file covers fluorphlogopite (synthetic mica) grades. For this Al₂O₃-based product, product-specific regulatory confirmation should be requested directly. We can support documentation requirements for major export markets — contact the technical team with your destination and application detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What substrate does KT-T60-10-WR use, and how does it compare to standard mica-based effect pigments?

KT-T60-10-WR uses an aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) crystal substrate, the same substrate class as Merck Xirallic — not natural or synthetic mica. Al₂O₃ crystals are optically purer and more geometrically uniform than mica, which produces a sharper, higher-brilliance sparkle with greater visual depth. Mica-based pigments typically yield a softer, more diffuse luster by comparison. The 6–30 μm particle size range of KT-T60-10-WR contributes to its coarse, high-intensity sparkle character.

Is KT-T60-10-WR a direct drop-in replacement for Merck Xirallic T60-10 WR Galaxy Silver?

KT-T60-10-WR is formulated as a functional alternative targeting the same visual effect category — Al₂O₃ crystal substrate, 6–30 μm particle size, Galaxy Silver appearance. However, we recommend running side-by-side application tests in your specific basecoat system before substituting at scale. Surface treatment details and binder interaction behavior can vary between manufacturers, and confirmation of color match and handling behavior in your system is the responsible step before production changeover.

What other shades are available in the XiallicSparks range if I need more than Galaxy Silver?

The XiallicSparks series covers 11 shades on the same Al₂O₃ crystal substrate at 6–30 μm. Options include Luxury Gold (KT-T60-20-WR), Radiant Red (KT-T60-21-WR), Rainbow Violet (KT-T60-22-WR), Galaxy Blue (KT-T60-23-WR), Polar Green (KT-T60-24-WR), Rainbow Green (KT-T60-25-WR), Rainbow Purple (KT-T60-26-WR), Flame Copper (KT-F60-50-WR), and Sparks Red (KT-F60-51-WR). All are positioned as Merck Xirallic alternatives for automotive coatings.

Can KT-T60-10-WR be used in plastics or printing inks as well as automotive coatings?

Current documentation supports automotive coatings — OEM, refinish, and aftermarket — as the intended application for this grade. We do not have validated formulation data for plastics compounding, printing inks, or cosmetics for this specific product. If your application falls outside automotive coatings, we would recommend discussing your system with our technical team before proceeding, as compatibility would need to be confirmed independently.

Contact our technical team to discuss formulation requirements or to request a TDS and sample for your application evaluation.