Optimized Color Strength

Increases in color strength arise from a reduction in the average size of pigment particles. Optimum milling conditions are created by balancing opposed variables.

Increasing the pigment content in the millbase increases the number of particle collisions, itself increasing the rate of pigment breakdown. However, increasing the pigment concentration will increase viscosity, thus reducing the kinetic energy of the grinding charges (beads or balls), which will then reduce their ability to breakdown pigment particles.

Figure 1: Monolite blue3R in stoving enamel

We use hyperdispersants in order to modify these variables. Milling at higher pigment concentrations will be made possible, leading to more rapid breakdown of particles. They will as well prevent viscosity building up in the system during the grinding process. Finally, they will impart colloidal stability to the finer particles, avoiding their flocculation and using their full intrinsic color strength.

This is illustrated in the figure above by rapid and ultimate increased color strength.