Yellow Green Strontium Aluminate Glow Powder, 12–25μm – KT-GYG03 SC

Yellow Green Strontium Aluminate Glow Powder, 12–25μm – KT-GYG03 SC

Special Effect Pigments › Glow in Dark Pigment Series › Strontium Aluminate

KT-GYG03 SC is a Yellow Green strontium aluminate phosphorescent pigment in the fine 12–25μm particle size range — the standard fine grade in Kolortek's glow-in-the-dark series, designed for coatings, printing inks, plastics compounding, and applications where particle size must remain within tight tolerances for smooth film formation. Yellow-green is the highest-efficiency glow color in the strontium aluminate phosphor system — it delivers the greatest initial brightness and longest afterglow duration of any available glow color, making KT-GYG03 SC the appropriate specification whenever glow performance rather than glow color is the primary procurement criterion.

Product Positioning — Peak Phosphor Efficiency at Fine Particle Size

Within Kolortek's glow-in-the-dark range, KT-GYG03 SC occupies the core specification position: yellow-green glow color (peak strontium aluminate efficiency) at a fine particle size (12–25μm) suitable for coatings, screen printing, and plastic masterbatch. The 12–25μm distribution is the standard industrial glow pigment grade — fine enough for smooth coating films and most printing applications, while maintaining adequate particle mass per unit for efficient photon storage and emission.

Formulators who require finer grades for gravure printing or thin cosmetic applications should consider KT-GTG01 SC (Tender Green, 5–25μm). Those requiring coarser particles for resin art and epoxy flooring sparkle effects should specify KT-GSB01 SC (Sky Blue, 35–45μm) or KT-GBG02 SC (Blue Green, 65–75μm). KT-GYG03 SC is the practical workhorse for the majority of standard glow-in-the-dark industrial applications.

KT-GYG03 Series — Yellow Green Grade Selection by Particle Size

KT-GYG03 SC is the standard solvent-compatible fine grade. For water-based systems, specify KT-GYG03-2 SC or KT-GYG-10. For budget-sensitive applications where shorter afterglow is acceptable, specify KT-GYG03DSA (Zinc Sulfide).

Technical Specifications

Key Technical Characteristics

Why yellow-green is the highest-performance glow color: Strontium aluminate activated with europium (Eu²⁺) and dysprosium (Dy³⁺) has its peak photoluminescence emission in the yellow-green region (~520nm). This wavelength also aligns closely with peak human eye sensitivity in both photopic (daylight-adapted) and scotopic (dark-adapted) vision conditions. The combination of high phosphor quantum efficiency at this emission wavelength and high eye sensitivity produces glow that is brighter, more visible at low luminance levels, and longer-lasting than other strontium aluminate color variants. For any application where maximum functional glow performance matters — safety marking, emergency exit guidance, visibility products — yellow-green is the specification default.

12–25μm — the practical range for coating and printing applications: The 12–25μm D50 range is fine enough to disperse uniformly in solvent-based coating systems and screen printing inks without producing visible surface texture in cured films. It is coarse enough to provide adequate mass per particle for efficient light storage and emission — very fine glow pigment grades below 5μm sacrifice afterglow intensity per unit area because individual particle photon storage capacity is reduced. For most industrial glow coating and printing applications, 12–25μm represents the practical optimum between film quality and glow performance.

Strontium aluminate vs. zinc sulfide — the performance case: KT-GYG03DSA (Zinc Sulfide, 20–40μm) provides a lower-cost glow alternative. Zinc sulfide charges quickly but has significantly lower glow brightness and shorter afterglow duration — typically 1–2 hours of useful glow vs. 8–12+ hours for strontium aluminate. For decorative craft applications where brief glow is sufficient, ZnS may be adequate. For products where sustained overnight glow is a functional requirement — emergency egress marking, safety products, fishing lures used in low-light conditions — strontium aluminate KT-GYG03 SC is the correct specification.

Critical constraint — moisture sensitivity: Standard strontium aluminate (KT-GYG03 SC) is not protected against moisture. Incorporate into the formulation using dry equipment and dry raw materials. For water-based coating systems, specify KT-GYG03-2 SC (10–25μm, water-based compatible surface treatment) or KT-GYG-10 (20–38μm, water-resistant treated). Kolortek has manufactured strontium aluminate glow pigments for over 20 years with consistent phosphor crystal quality and D50 distribution across production batches — the parameters that most directly determine glow brightness reproducibility in industrial production. TDS and SDS are available on request.

Application Range

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does KT-GYG03 SC glow after charging?
A: Strontium aluminate yellow-green grades provide the longest afterglow in the phosphorescent pigment range. Under standard test conditions with adequate prior light exposure, measurable glow persists for 8–12+ hours, with the first 1–2 hours showing the highest brightness. Actual performance in a finished product depends on film thickness, loading level, and the intensity and duration of the charging light source. Contact Kolortek to request the TDS with specific afterglow brightness data (mcd/m²) at defined time intervals after charging.

Q: What is the difference between KT-GYG03 SC and KT-GYG03-2 SC?
A: Both are yellow-green strontium aluminate grades. KT-GYG03 SC (12–25μm) is the standard solvent-compatible grade intended for anhydrous systems — solvent-based coatings, epoxy, UV-curable, and dry plastic compounding. KT-GYG03-2 SC (10–25μm) has a water-resistant surface treatment that allows it to be incorporated into waterborne coatings and water-based formulations without the rapid hydrolytic degradation that affects untreated strontium aluminate. Use KT-GYG03 SC for solvent and epoxy systems; use KT-GYG03-2 SC for water-based systems.

Q: Why is my glow performance inconsistent between production batches?
A: Glow brightness in finished products depends on four controllable variables: pigment loading level, film thickness, moisture exposure during processing (which degrades strontium aluminate), and the integrity of the charging light pathway through the coating or plastic matrix. If batch-to-batch variation is occurring with a consistent pigment supply, check for variation in film thickness application, binder color (which affects light transmission to the pigment), or moisture introduction during the mixing process. Contact Kolortek's technical team for troubleshooting guidance.

Request Samples or Technical Documentation

Glow performance in finished products depends on loading level, film thickness, and processing conditions — bench evaluation in your specific system is the most reliable way to confirm performance before production commitment. Contact Kolortek to request a sample of KT-GYG03 SC, download the TDS with afterglow brightness data, or discuss grade selection across the full glow-in-the-dark range.