What factors affect the gloss performance of Effect Mica Pigments?

1. Pigment preparation process
pH stabilizer: During the preparation process, choosing urea as a pH stabilizer may be more conducive to obtaining a good gloss effect than other stabilizers (such as sodium hydroxide).
 Reaction temperature: Appropriate reaction temperature (such as 80℃) helps to form uniform pigment particles, thereby enhancing gloss.
 Mass fraction of titanium liquid: The mass fraction of titanium liquid has a certain influence on the gloss. Usually, the best gloss effect can be obtained within a certain range (such as 1.5%).
 Stirring speed: Appropriate stirring speed (such as 400 r/min) can ensure the uniform dispersion of pigment particles and help improve gloss.

2. Characteristics of pigment particles
Particle Size: The diameter of the Effect Mica Pigments particles has a significant impact on gloss. When the diameter of the pigment particles is less than a certain value (such as 0.3μm), a high-gloss coating can be obtained. This is because small particles are more evenly distributed in the coating, reducing scattered light and increasing reflected light.
 Particle size distribution: Pigment particles with a uniform size distribution create a smoother coating surface, thereby improving gloss.

3. Coating surface condition
Roughness: The roughness of the coating surface is a key factor affecting gloss. When the surface roughness of the coating is small, more light is reflected and the gloss is higher. On the contrary, if the surface of the coating is uneven, scattered light will increase, resulting in a decrease in gloss.
 Film-forming process: The film-forming process of the coating also has an important impact on gloss. During the wet film stage, the evaporation rate of the solvent and the curing process will affect the roughness and gloss of the coating surface. If the solvent evaporates at an uneven rate, it may cause unevenness on the surface of the coating, reducing gloss.

4. Application environment
Lighting conditions: The intensity and direction of light affect people's perception of gloss. Under strong light, the gloss may be more obvious; while under weak light or lighting from different directions, the gloss may change.
 Coating Thickness: The thickness of the coating also affects gloss. Generally speaking, the thicker the coating, the higher the gloss may be; however, a coating that is too thick may also cause the surface to be uneven, which in turn reduces the gloss.

5. Other factors
Compatibility of pigments and substrates: The compatibility of pigments and substrates also has a certain impact on gloss. If the pigment is incompatible with the substrate, it may cause the surface of the coating to peel or crack, reducing gloss.
 Amount of pigment added: The amount of pigment added will also affect the gloss. Increasing the amount of pigment added within a certain range can improve the gloss; however, adding too much pigment may cause graininess or unevenness on the surface of the coating, which in turn reduces the gloss.