Colored Effect Pigments for Infrared-Absorbing Polymers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polymer compositions struggle to achieve attractive colors and high gloss with infrared absorption properties without the need for additional additives that may hinder their application characteristics.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of colored effect pigments with a carbon layer, specifically composed of a mixture of nanocrystalline and amorphous carbon, onto flaky substrate particles to enhance infrared absorption while maintaining coloristic characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional colored polymers are used, then attractive colors and high gloss are achieved, but infrared absorption capacity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared absorption capacityVSAvoidneed for additional additives

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines coloring and infrared absorption functions into a single effect pigment by coating flaky substrate particles with multiple interference layers including an infrared-absorbing material layer. This merging eliminates the need for separate infrared absorbers while maintaining attractive colors and gloss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The effect pigment uses a composite structure with flaky substrate particles coated with multiple layers including dielectric materials and infrared-absorbing materials. This composite material simultaneously provides coloristic characteristics through interference and infrared absorption through the specific layer composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If infrared absorbing additives are added to colored polymers, then infrared absorption capacity is improved, but application characteristics are hampered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared absorption capacityVSAvoidapplication characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of coloring and infrared absorption into a single effect pigment particle, eliminating the need for separate additives that could interfere with polymer processing and application characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The effect pigment serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides attractive colors through optical interference, maintains high gloss, and absorbs infrared radiation. This multi-functionality in a single additive avoids the complications of using multiple separate additives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If effect pigments with interference layers are used, then attractive colors and gloss are achieved, but infrared reflection occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoloristic characteristicsVSAvoidinfrared reflection

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating specific layers with different properties: the outer interference layers provide color and gloss, while an inner layer contains infrared-absorbing materials. Each layer performs its specific function locally without interfering with the overall coloristic characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The effect pigment uses a composite layer structure where dielectric materials provide optical interference for color and gloss, while embedded infrared-absorbing materials selectively absorb infrared radiation. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between reflecting and absorbing infrared.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 colored effect pigments provide enhanced infrared absorption capacity to polymers, reducing the need for additional additives and improving UV-resistance, while maintaining color and gloss, and allowing efficient heating processes under infrared radiation.

Implementation Method 1

the colored effect pigments comprise at least one layer which is composed of carbon... providing a sufficient infrared absorption capacity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

Through the multiple reflection of light, unique luster and color effects emerge from such a layer sequence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

interference layers of materials exhibiting refractive indices which are different from each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 4

Heating by means of infrared radiation is extensively used in industry, particularly for heating or drying of polymer materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared heating: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 5

the emitted radiation is absorbed only by the polymer part to be processed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4121291B1Use of colored effect pigments for enhancing the infrared absorption capacity of colored polymers

Publication Date: 2026.04.08 SUSONITY COMMERCIAL GMBH

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AI summary

The present invention is related to the use of colored effect pigments for enhancing the infrared absorption capacity of colored polymers and to a method for enhancing the infrared absorption capacity of colored polymers.