Absorbing Effect Pigments with Spacer Layer for High Chroma
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pigments lack high chroma, gloss, and mechanical and chemical stability while being difficult to produce with minimal material usage and simple processes.
Innovation Solution
Development of absorbent effect pigments with a non-metallic platelet-shaped substrate coated with a layer sequence including a spacer layer, comprising metal oxides, hydroxides, and hydrates, where layers 2 and 3 are interrupted by a spacer layer, and calcined at 600°C to 1000°C to achieve high refractive indices and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a multilayer coating structure with alternating high- and low-refractive-index layers is used, then chroma and gloss are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is divided into functionally distinct segments: a spacer layer (first layer) that maintains structural integrity and spacing, and an absorbing layer (second layer) that provides optical absorption. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to complex multilayer interference structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex alternating high- and low-refractive-index layer structure from conventional multilayer pigments. By removing these intermediate layers and retaining only the essential spacer and absorbing layers, the patent achieves high gloss and chroma with a simplified layer sequence that is easier to manufacture.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional multilayer pigment structures are used, then chroma and gloss are improved, but material usage and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary alternating high- and low-refractive-index layers from conventional multilayer pigment structures. By retaining only the essential spacer layer and absorbing layer, the invention achieves high chroma with reduced material consumption and simplified production.
Solution Approach 2:
Each layer is assigned specific local quality characteristics: the spacer layer is designed with specific refractive index and thickness properties to maintain structural integrity and spacing, while the absorbing layer is optimized for maximum light absorption and chroma. This localized optimization achieves high performance with minimal material usage.
3Illumination intensity
If complex multilayer structures are implemented, then optical performance is improved, but mechanical and chemical stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is segmented into a spacer layer and an absorbing layer, where the spacer layer serves as a stable structural foundation that protects the absorbing layer. This segmentation enhances mechanical integrity and chemical resistance while maintaining excellent optical appearance, resolving the contradiction between optical performance and stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The pigments exhibit high chroma, gloss, mechanical stability, and chemical resistance, with a simple production process using minimal materials, and can be applied in various applications such as cosmetics, plastics, and coatings.
Implementation Method 1
Multilayer pigments which, based on a non-metallic platelet-shaped substrate, comprise at least one layer sequence of alternating high-, low-, high-refractive-index layers
Implementation Method 2
a low-refractive-index layer made of a low-refractive-index metal oxide, such as silicon oxide, is present in the layer sequence
Implementation Method 3
calcined at 600°C to 1000°C to achieve high refractive indices and stability
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an absorbing effect pigment which comprises a non-metallic plate-shaped substrate and to a coating applied thereto, said coating comprising at least one spacer layer. The invention further relates to a method for the production and use of the absorbing effect pigment.