Ocean Blue Mica Pearlescent Pigment – KT-6040

Ocean Blue Mica Pearlescent Pigment – KT-6040

Pearlescent Pigments › Multicolor Series › Natural Mica (KT-6000)

KT-6040 is an Ocean Blue natural mica pearlescent pigment — a colored mica grade from the KT-6000 Multicolor Series that produces a rich ocean blue absorption color at side and diffuse viewing angles, with a silver-white specular reflection at the direct reflection angle. At the standard 10–60μm particle size, it delivers a balanced blue pearl shimmer for coatings, nail lacquer, soap, epoxy systems, and decorative applications. Multiple particle size grades are available — from 5–25μm for printing inks and fine cosmetics to 30–150μm for bold sparkle in epoxy and craft resin — making Ocean Blue adaptable across a broad range of application methods and visual targets.

How the Ocean Blue Effect Works

KT-6040 is built on the same TiO₂-coated natural mica substrate as the KT-100 Silver White Series. A blue light-absorbing colorant is then deposited directly onto the TiO₂ coating — this is the defining step of the KT-6000 Multicolor process. The colorant selectively absorbs non-blue wavelengths; the remaining light at side and diffuse angles reads as a saturated ocean blue. At the direct reflection angle, the TiO₂-mica interface produces its characteristic silver-white specular flash, independent of the blue colorant layer.

The practical result is a two-channel visual: ocean blue for ambient and diffuse observation, silver-white for direct reflection. This distinguishes KT-6040 from both interference blue grades (KT-225, which requires a dark substrate) and solid blue pigments (which produce only flat body color with no specular component). The blue color reads on any substrate color — dark, light, or transparent.

KT-6000 Blue Range — Where Ocean Blue Sits

All KT-6000 blue grades use the same Mica + TiO₂ substrate with deposited blue colorant. Contact Kolortek for a color card with physical drawdown samples to compare these grades before specifying.

Technical Specifications — KT-6040

Particle Size Selection Guide

Note: Particle size availability varies by color. Contact Kolortek to confirm which sizes are stocked for KT-6040 Ocean Blue before specifying production quantities.

Application Range

For cosmetic applications requiring regulatory documentation, Kolortek offers a dedicated high-end colored mica series formulated specifically for cosmetic use. Contact Kolortek for details on the cosmetic-grade color range.

Formulation Notes

Standard low-shear mixing protocol: Add KT-6040 at the letdown stage after all high-shear dispersion steps are complete. Use low-shear paddle or anchor mixing. Mica platelet fracture from high-shear equipment reduces D50 and diminishes both the silver specular flash and the blue color intensity — the dual-angle visual depends on intact platelet geometry.

Substrate and base color effects: The ocean blue absorption color reads on any substrate — dark, light, or transparent. The silver specular flash is most visible against dark bases where it contrasts with the background. In clear epoxy and transparent resin, both the blue color and the silver flash are simultaneously visible throughout the depth of the casting — producing a dimensional blue sparkle effect that flat blue pigments cannot replicate.

Kolortek has produced the KT-6000 Multicolor Series for over 20 years with consistent colorant deposition and D50 particle size distribution across production batches. The full blue range within the KT-6000 series covers nine distinct blue and blue-adjacent variants — from Cambridge Blue through Cobalt Blue to Blue Green — giving formulators precise color positioning options within a single consistent substrate system. TDS and SDS are available on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between KT-6040 Ocean Blue and KT-225 Blue Pearl interference pigment?
A: KT-225 Blue Pearl is an interference pigment — it uses only a thick TiO₂ coating to produce blue through thin-film interference. The blue color is visible only on dark or black substrates; over white or light bases, the color disappears. KT-6040 Ocean Blue uses a deposited blue colorant on a TiO₂-mica base — the blue absorption color is visible on any substrate including white and transparent. KT-6040 also produces a silver specular flash at the direct reflection angle; KT-225 does not. Choose KT-225 when maximum interference color saturation on a dark substrate is the priority; choose KT-6040 when the blue needs to read across varied substrate colors.

Q: Which particle size should I specify for printing inks?
A: For gravure, flexo, and most digital printing applications, specify the 5–25μm grade. Standard 10–60μm and coarser grades exceed the nozzle and screen tolerance of most printing equipment and will cause blockage or uneven ink film. Confirm the D90 of the 5–25μm grade against your specific press nozzle specification from the TDS before ordering for production.

Q: Is a synthetic mica version of Ocean Blue available?
A: Yes — Kolortek's KT-7000 synthetic Fluorphlogopite series includes blue color variants offering higher substrate purity, fewer visible mineral inclusions, better luster and chroma, and improved weatherfastness compared to natural mica KT-6040. Contact Kolortek to identify the equivalent synthetic mica blue grade and compare it with KT-6040 for your specific application requirements.

Request Samples or Technical Data

The dual blue-and-silver visual of KT-6040 is best evaluated in your specific application system. Contact Kolortek to request samples of Ocean Blue across different particle size grades, compare it with other blue variants in the KT-6000 range, or download the TDS for particle size distribution data.