True Red Pearlescent Pigment, Natural Mica Based – KT-6025

KT-6025 is a True Red natural mica pearlescent pigment in the 10–60μm particle size range — a colored mica grade from the KT-6000 Multicolor Series, produced by depositing a light-absorbing red colorant layer on a TiO₂-coated mica substrate. The result is a dual-effect visual: a silver-white reflection at the specular viewing angle and a saturated red absorption color at side and diffuse angles. At 10–60μm, KT-6025 suits coatings, nail lacquer, decorative applications, soap, and epoxy systems where a clean, high-chroma red pearlescent effect is required across a range of substrates.

How KT-6025 Produces Its Color — and How It Differs from Iron Oxide Red Grades

The KT-6000 Multicolor Series uses a different coating approach from both the KT-200 interference series and the KT-500 Metal Luster series. A light-absorbing colorant material is deposited directly onto the TiO₂-coated mica base (KT-100 substrate) — the colorant layer selectively absorbs certain wavelengths while the TiO₂ interface continues to produce silver-white pearlescent reflection. The outcome is a two-angle effect: silver-white at reflection, saturated red at transmission/diffusion.

This is distinct from the iron oxide red grades in the KT-500 Metal Luster series (e.g., KT-502 Red Brown, KT-504 Wine Red), which use iron oxide as the only coating and produce a warmer, more opaque metallic red. KT-6025 True Red produces a cleaner, higher-chroma red with a visible silver specular reflection — the pearlescent character is preserved alongside the color, not replaced by it.

KT-6000 Multicolor Series — Red and Pink Range

The KT-6000 Multicolor Series covers over 80 color variants across red, pink, violet, blue, green, orange, brown, grey, and black ranges — all at 10–60μm standard particle size unless otherwise noted. Contact Kolortek for the complete color card.

Technical Specifications

Key Technical Characteristics

Two-angle visual effect — silver specular and red absorption: At the direct reflection angle, the TiO₂-coated mica platelet produces a silver-white specular reflection. At side and diffuse angles, the light-absorbing red colorant layer dominates and the eye perceives a saturated red. This dual behavior gives finished surfaces a dimensional quality — the color reads differently depending on the viewing angle and light direction, producing more visual interest than a single-channel flat red pigment.

True Red — the neutral red reference in the KT-6000 range: Within the KT-6000 red sub-family, "True Red" designates the most neutrally balanced red tone — neither shifted toward pink-rose (KT-6021, KT-6024) nor toward orange-red (KT-6712 Orange Red) nor toward the deeper saturated range (KT-6214 Bright Red). It is the reference red in the series, making it the practical starting point for formulation blends where the target is a clean, primary red pearlescent effect.

Broad substrate compatibility — color visible on light and dark bases: Unlike KT-200 series interference pigments, the absorption color of KT-6025 is visible regardless of substrate color. The red colorant layer absorbs and reflects independently of what is beneath. The silver specular flash is more pronounced on dark substrates where it contrasts with the base, but the red color reads on white, cream, and transparent bases as well.

10–60μm — the standard general-purpose grade: At this particle size, KT-6025 produces a balanced colored pearl with visible shimmer and good coverage uniformity. For printing ink applications requiring fine grades, confirm D90 against your nozzle specification — the 10–60μm upper range may exceed fine press tolerances. For epoxy and decorative applications requiring bolder sparkle, a coarser variant within the multicolor range may be more appropriate.

Application Range

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

Formulation Notes

Low-shear addition — standard protocol: Add KT-6025 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, diminishes the silver specular reflection, and flattens the red absorption color character — the two-angle effect that defines KT-6025's visual output depends on preserving the platelet aspect ratio.

Effect on dark vs. light substrates: The red absorption color is visible on any substrate. Over dark and black bases, the silver specular flash contrasts more strongly with the base, making the dual-angle effect more pronounced. Over white or light bases, the red color reads clearly but the silver flash appears less dramatic against the lighter background. For maximum visual impact of the silver-red contrast, dark or transparent substrates are preferred.

Kolortek has produced the KT-6000 Multicolor Series for over 20 years, maintaining consistent colorant deposition and D50 particle size distribution across production batches. The full multicolor range covers more than 80 color variants in the natural mica series, with synthetic Fluorphlogopite equivalents available in the KT-7000 range for applications requiring higher substrate purity. TDS and SDS are available on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does KT-6025 True Red differ from KT-215 Red Pearl (interference series) and KT-502 Red Brown (metal luster series)?
A: Three different coating approaches producing distinctly different visual results. KT-215 Red Pearl (KT-200 interference series) uses only TiO₂ — it produces interference red visible only on dark substrates, with no color visible on light bases. KT-502 Red Brown (KT-500 Metal Luster series) uses iron oxide only — opaque warm metallic red with high covering power, no silver specular reflection. KT-6025 True Red (KT-6000 Multicolor series) deposits a red light-absorbing colorant on a TiO₂-mica base — producing a high-chroma red absorption color visible on any substrate, combined with a silver specular flash at direct viewing angle. The three grades serve different formulation needs and produce different visual outputs.

Q: Are there other red options in the KT-6000 Multicolor Series to compare with KT-6025?
A: Yes — the series includes KT-6020 Peachblow (soft peachy pink-red), KT-6021 Rose Red (cool rose), KT-6022 Luster Red (medium red), KT-6024 Pink, KT-6026 Shine Red (high-shine variant), KT-6213 Peach Red (warm peach-red), and KT-6214 Bright Red (bright saturated red). KT-6025 True Red represents the most neutrally balanced red in the range. Contact Kolortek to request a color card with drawdown samples to compare these grades side-by-side before specifying.

Q: Is a synthetic mica version of True Red available?
A: Yes. The KT-7000 synthetic Fluorphlogopite series includes KT-7415 Synstar Red (10–60μm) and KT-7415A Flash Red (10–100μm) as synthetic mica equivalents. Synthetic mica grades offer higher substrate purity, fewer visible dark mineral inclusions, better luster and chroma, and improved weatherfastness compared to natural mica KT-6025. For demanding applications where substrate purity is critical, specify the KT-7000 equivalent.

Request Samples or Technical Data

The two-angle red-and-silver visual effect of KT-6025 is best evaluated in your specific application system and over your actual substrate. Contact Kolortek to request a sample of KT-6025 True Red or comparative samples across the KT-6000 red range, download the TDS, or discuss color selection and synthetic mica alternatives for your formulation.