KT-T60-25-WR Rainbow Green XiallicSparks Pigment

What Makes the XiallicSparks Crystal Effect Different

Most effect pigments in the market are built on natural or synthetic mica flakes. Mica is a perfectly serviceable substrate, and we use it across much of our KT-100 through KT-9000 pearlescent range for exactly that reason. But for applications demanding exceptional sparkle intensity, deep color saturation, and the kind of crisp, faceted highlights associated with luxury automotive finishes, mica has a ceiling.

Alumina flakes change that equation. The Al₂O₃ substrate is harder, smoother, and geometrically flatter than mica, which means the optical coatings applied to each flake are thinner, more uniform, and more precise. At a refractive index of 1.76 versus mica's 1.58, the contrast at each interface is sharper — and that translates directly into the crystal-like sparkle effect that distinguishes XiallicSparks from conventional pearl pigments. The Rainbow Green color in KT-T60-25-WR reads as clean, saturated green against a dark base, with individual flake highlights that are notably bright and well-defined rather than diffuse.

This is the same technical architecture underlying Merck's Xirallic® product line, which has been the benchmark for crystal-effect Al₂O₃ pigments in the automotive industry for years. Our XiallicSparks series — including the KT-T60 and KT-F60 product lines — occupies the same performance tier as a direct crystal substrate green pigment alternative.

Technical Specifications

Note: density, bulk density, oil absorption, pH tolerance, and exact particle size distribution data are not currently published for this model. Contact us directly for full TDS and COA documentation.

Automotive Rainbow Green Pigment: Application Scope

KT-T60-25-WR is designed first and foremost for automotive OEM coatings — the type of top-of-the-line metallic and crystal finishes used on production vehicles where both visual intensity and long-term durability are non-negotiable. That means full compatibility with standard automotive basecoat/clearcoat systems and stability through production cure cycles.

The product is also used in automotive refinish work — specifically high-end collision repair and custom refinish where matching or exceeding OEM visual standards is the brief. We also supply XiallicSparks grades into high-end industrial coating applications, including premium consumer electronics casings and luxury goods where the crystal-effect aesthetic commands a visual premium.

One thing to note clearly: KT-T60-25-WR is not intended for cosmetics. The XiallicSparks line is not formulated or certified for face-safe or body-contact applications. Formulators working in personal care should look at our cosmetic-grade ranges within the KT-100 through KT-9000 series instead. Similarly, for general decorative coatings where the visual specification doesn't require this level of crystal character, more economical alternatives exist within our standard Kolortek pearl pigment range.

Recommended System Configuration

• Apply over a black or dark contrasting basecoat to maximize the crystal sparkle depth and color saturation
• Topcoat with a high-gloss clearcoat to protect the alumina flakes and enhance optical clarity
• Use coating systems with slow solvent flash and good flow characteristics to allow proper flake orientation
• Multiple thin coats give more uniform sparkle distribution than a single heavy application

Formulation and Processing

The alumina flakes in XiallicSparks are harder and more uniform than mica, but they're not immune to mechanical damage. In our experience supporting automotive coating customers, flake fracture from milling or aggressive recirculation equipment is the most common processing mistake — it directly degrades the sparkle character of the finished film. Pre-disperse KT-T60-25-WR in a small portion of the binder first, using a cowles blade or equivalent high-speed disperser, then let down into the bulk basecoat. Keep the shear gentle through all subsequent mixing stages.

Loading should stay in the 3–8% range on total paint weight for most automotive basecoat formulations. Going above that ceiling rarely improves the visual effect and introduces application problems — flooding, mottling, and uneven flake orientation in the film. At the other end, too little pigment results in a sparse, under-defined sparkle that doesn't justify the substrate cost.

Flash-off management is critical with crystal-effect pigments. Too-fast clearcoat application traps misaligned platelets and kills the specular response. Too slow, and you risk over-orientation effects that produce a mottled appearance in direct light. The dry film thickness target for the basecoat is 15–25 μm — standard automotive guidance, but worth holding to precisely when working with Al₂O₃ flake grades.

Processing Checklist

• Pre-disperse in binder portion before let-down — do not add directly to fully loaded paint
• Use cowles blade or equivalent; avoid ball mills, bead mills, and high-shear recirculation loops
• Target basecoat loading: 3–8% on total paint weight
• Dry film thickness: 15–25 μm in basecoat layer
• Allow proper flash-off before clearcoat; refer to your specific clearcoat supplier's window
• Avoid over-thinning the basecoat — reduced viscosity destabilizes flake orientation

XiallicSparks vs. Standard Kolortek Pearl Pigments: Choosing the Right Grade

We get this question frequently from formulators who are evaluating the KT-T60 series against our mica-based pearl range for the first time. The short answer is that they serve genuinely different visual targets.

If your application calls for the distinctive crystal character that the automotive industry associates with top-of-the-line paint programs, KT-T60-25-WR is the appropriate choice. If you need a broad-use pearl pigment for coatings, plastics, inks, or cosmetics, the KT-100 through KT-9000 series will give you more flexibility and a lower cost basis.

Quality and Compliance

At the company level, Kolortek operates under ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification, covering production and sales of glitters, pigments, and fillers. Full documentation — MSDS, TDS, and COA — is available on request for KT-T60-25-WR.

A note on REACH: our supplied REACH registration certificate specifically covers fluorphlogopite (synthetic mica) grades. For XiallicSparks Al₂O₃ models including KT-T60-25-WR, product-specific REACH confirmation needs to be requested directly. The same applies to RoHS and any other model-specific compliance requirements — we don't publish blanket claims that don't stand up to scrutiny at the SKU level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is KT-T60-25-WR a direct Xirallic equivalent, and can it replace Merck Xirallic Rainbow Green in an existing formulation?

KT-T60-25-WR is positioned as a xirallic equivalent rainbow green in terms of substrate technology — it uses the same Al₂O₃ flake platform with a 6–30 μm particle size and delivers comparable crystal-effect performance in automotive basecoat systems. That said, we don't carry a formal one-to-one model mapping for this specific Rainbow Green SKU. For a direct formulation substitution, we recommend requesting a drawdown sample and comparing side-by-side under multi-angle lighting against your existing approved standard before signing off on a production switch.

What loading rate should I use for KT-T60-25-WR in an automotive waterborne basecoat?

The recommended range is 3–8% on total paint weight. Most automotive OEM basecoat formulations land in the 4–6% window for a well-defined crystal effect without flooding or mottling. Multiple thin coats produce more uniform sparkle than a single heavy application. Dry film thickness in the basecoat layer should target 15–25 μm. The same loading guidance applies whether the system is waterborne or solventborne — though flash-off window management will differ between the two.

Why does the alumina substrate produce a brighter crystal effect than standard mica-based pearlescent pigments?

Two factors drive this. First, the Al₂O₃ substrate has a refractive index of 1.76 versus approximately 1.58 for mica — the higher contrast at the coating/substrate interface sharpens the specular response. Second, alumina flakes are geometrically flatter and smoother than mica, allowing the optical coating layers to be deposited with greater uniformity. The result is sharper, more defined highlights per individual flake, which reads visually as a crystal-like sparkle rather than the softer, more diffuse luster typical of mica-based pearlescents.

Can KT-T60-25-WR be used in cosmetic formulations such as eyeshadow or nail color?

No. The XiallicSparks series is not formulated, tested, or certified for cosmetic or face-contact applications. For cosmetic pigment requirements — including eyeshadow, nail color, lipstick, or body care — the appropriate grades are within our KT-100 through KT-9000 pearlescent series, where cosmetic-grade options and supporting compliance documentation are available.

Contact our technical team to discuss sample requests, formulation requirements, or compliance documentation for your specific application.