Pigment

Definition:

Pigment is dry coloring matter, usually an organic or inorganic insoluble powder, to be mixed with water, oil, or another base to produce paint or similar products. i e : Fe₂O₃, FeCl₃, ZnO, TiO₂, White lead etc.

Pigment properties:

• Suitable colour
• Film forming capacity
• Chemically inert at normal condition
• Nontoxic to inhabitants and painters
• Soluble in oil

The following are some of the attributes of pigments that determine their suitability for particular manufacturing processes and applications:

• Lightfastness and sensitivity for damage from ultra violet light
• Heat stability
• Toxicity
• Tinting strength
• Staining
• Dispersion
• Opacity or transparency
• Resistance to alkalis and acids
• Reactions and interactions between pigments

Functions of Pigments:

To provide color
To obliterate previous colors
To improve the strength of the paint film
To improve the adhesion of the paint film
To improve the durability and weathering properties
To reduce gloss
To modify flow and application properties