merck mica pigments

KT-201 is a fine-particle interference pigment built on natural mica with a TiO₂ + SnO₂ coating. Particle size sits in the 5–25 μm range, which positions it squarely in the satin-finish category — smooth, silky optical character, not glittery. The color mechanism is optical interference: the TiO₂ layer thickness is tuned to selectively reinforce gold-wavelength light while suppressing the complementary hues. The result is a soft, angular-dependent gold that reads differently depending on viewing angle and substrate color. This grade is a direct structural equivalent to Iriodin 201 Satin Gold — same mica substrate, same coating chemistry (TiO₂ + SnO₂), same particle size window. For formulators who need a drop-in merck mica pigments alternative without reformulating around a different particle size distribution or refractive index profile, KT-201 is the straightforward substitution.

Silver white pearlescent pigments are the workhorse of the effect pigment world. They underpin everything from automotive basecoats to nail polish, and the formulation logic behind them hasn't changed much in decades: mica flakes coated with titanium dioxide, tuned by particle size and TiO₂ crystal form to deliver a specific balance of whiteness, brightness, and sparkle. What has changed is the supply landscape.