Royal Gold Pearlescent Mica Powder, 10–60μm – KT-303

KT-303 is a Royal Gold natural mica pearlescent pigment in the 10–60μm particle size range — a deeper, more saturated gold tone than the standard KT-300 Gold Pearl grade, achieved through a higher iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) loading on the TiO₂-coated mica platelet. The warm, orange-toned gold body color is visible on any substrate without requiring a dark base — a key practical advantage over interference-only gold grades. At 10–60μm, KT-303 covers cosmetics, nail lacquer, decorative coatings, soap, and epoxy resin applications from a single grade specification.

Product Positioning

Within the KT-300 Gold Series, tone depth is controlled by iron oxide loading. KT-303 Royal Gold sits above the standard KT-300 Gold Pearl in saturation and warmth — producing a richer, orange-warm gold that reads as a traditional "rich gold" rather than the lighter yellow-gold of the base grade. All grades in the KT-300 series share the same Mica + TiO₂ + Iron Oxide + Tin Oxide coating architecture, which means they are fully blend-compatible with each other for custom tone development.

KT-300 Gold Series — Grade Overview (Natural Mica)

All KT-300 natural mica gold grades share the same composition (Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Tin Oxide) and are blend-compatible. Fine satin grades (KT-309, KT-323) suit printing ink applications; coarser grades (KT-351, KT-355, KT-357, KT-396) suit epoxy flooring and resin art.

Technical Specifications — KT-303

Technical Characteristics

Iron oxide + TiO₂ coating — gold on any substrate: KT-303 uses ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) as the primary colorant on a TiO₂-coated mica platelet. The iron oxide layer absorbs blue-violet wavelengths and reflects warm orange-gold — producing visible royal gold body color on white, cream, and dark substrates alike. This is the core practical difference from interference-only gold grades (KT-200 series), which require a dark substrate to function.

Three-dimensional depth vs. copper gold powder: Copper-bronze metallic powders are opaque — they coat the substrate with a flat, single-plane reflective layer. KT-303 mica platelets allow partial light transmission through the iron oxide and TiO₂ coating layers, creating multi-interface reflections that produce visual depth and luminosity. The effect reads as layered and three-dimensional, not flat — particularly visible in coatings applied at controlled film thickness.

Controlled blending within the KT-300 series: Because all KT-300 grades share the same substrate and coating chemistry, they blend predictably. Adding KT-303 Royal Gold into KT-300 Gold Pearl deepens and warms the overall tone with measurable consistency. Mixing KT-303 with KT-304 Maya Gold shifts toward a deeper antique gold. Kolortek's 20 years of consistent iron oxide loading control across production batches means blend ratios developed in the lab translate reliably to production scale.

Mixing protocol — low-shear addition: Add KT-303 at the letdown stage after all high-shear dispersion is complete. Use low-shear paddle or anchor mixing for incorporation. High-shear equipment fractures mica platelets, reduces D50, and eliminates the three-dimensional pearl depth that distinguishes KT-303 from flat metallic alternatives. Do not recirculate through tight-clearance pumps after adding.

Application Range

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between KT-303 Royal Gold and KT-300 Gold Pearl?
A: Both grades use identical composition (Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Tin Oxide) and particle size (10–60μm). The difference is iron oxide loading: KT-300 uses a lower loading producing a pale yellow-gold tone; KT-303 uses a higher loading producing a deeper, warmer gold with a more pronounced orange warmth. Both are visible on all substrate colors. The tone difference is consistent across batches and can be confirmed from a powder visual or drawdown card before ordering.

Q: Can KT-303 be used for printing inks?
A: The 10–60μm particle size range of KT-303 is above the printability threshold for most gravure and flexo nozzle specifications, which typically require D90 below 25μm. For printing applications requiring a Royal Gold tone, specify KT-323 Satin Royal Gold (5–25μm) — the fine-grade equivalent within the KT-300 series. Confirm D90 against your press nozzle specification from the TDS before ordering.

Q: Does KT-303 require a dark substrate to show the gold color?
A: No. KT-303 uses iron oxide as the primary colorant — the gold color is produced by iron oxide absorption and is visible on white, cream, tan, and dark substrates. This is the key difference from KT-200 series interference gold grades (KT-205 Gold Pearl), which use only TiO₂ and require a dark or black substrate to reveal the interference color.

Q: Is a synthetic mica version of Royal Gold available?
A: Yes. The KT-7300 series covers synthetic Fluorphlogopite-based gold grades with higher substrate purity, fewer dark mineral inclusions, better weatherfastness, and higher thermal stability compared to natural mica. Contact Kolortek to discuss the equivalent synthetic mica gold grade for your specific application requirements.

Request Samples or Technical Documentation

Gold tone perception varies with substrate, application method, and formulation base — evaluating KT-303 in your specific system before production specification is the most reliable qualification step. Contact Kolortek to request a sample of KT-303 or comparative samples across the KT-300 Gold Series, download the TDS, or discuss the right grade for your particle size and color requirements.