Pigment blue 16

Types of Pigment Blue 16

Pigment blue 16 is an important blue colorant for various applications. It has some characteristics that make it more suitable than other blue colorants. Unlike other azure and cobalt blue colorants, pigment blue 16 is inorganic, meaning it does not easily degrade under harsh environmental conditions. Thus, it can be used in places exposed to extreme temperatures. Also, it is non-toxic and more vibrant than other blue colorants. There are two common types of pigment blue 16.

Pigment Blue 16 PG7

Pigment Blue 16 PG7 is a synthetic blue pigment for various applications. It is especially useful for applications that demand high stability and quality. Like other Pigments in the blue class, this pigment is derived from the inorganic metal complexation of synthetic ultramarine blue. The hue is generally a deep, vibrant, and bright blue. The color it gives the different media usually varies depending on how the media interacts with the pigment and the media's color. It is highly stable under different conditions, especially under UV light. That explains why its color does not fade even under long periods of exposure to sunlight.

Organic Pigment Blue 16

Organic Pigment Blue 16 is also called PB 29. Like most organic blue pigments, this specific colorant is also extracted from natural resources. It is characterized by its high chromaticity. Chromaticity is the quality of a color's purity or intensity. Although not as pure as blue pigment 16 PG7, Pigment blue 16 still retains a high level of quality. It is slightly less stable than the inorganic variety, although it is still very stable compared to other colorants. It also does not easily degrade under environmental conditions. The organic form of pigment blue 16 is commonly used in plastic and rubber formulations.

Industrial Application of Pigment Blue 16

Various industries utilize the pigment for the ideal quality and high stability under different conditions.

Ceramics

Ceramic industries utilize pigment blue 16 because of its tolerance to high temperatures during the firing process. Common applications include ceramic glazes and decorative tiles. In these applications, the pigment provides a consistent and vibrant blue color that will not fade or change even after firing the ceramic products. In addition, since ceramics are usually used in harsh environments like kitchens and bathrooms, the stability properties of pigment blue 16 ensure it can survive in such environments. This allows the ceramic products to maintain their aesthetic appeal long after being installed.

Plastics

In the plastic production industry, pigment blue 16 is mainly used as a colorant for the different plastic products manufactured. It is especially ideal for colorizing synthetic resins used to produce different plastic materials. For example, the pigment is used in colored plastic containers for food storage, toys, etc., and automotive interior parts. In these applications, color consistency is very important. Luckily, pigment blue 16 is highly consistent and does not even degrade when exposed to light or heat. This property makes it a safer option for coloring plastics as well as ensuring aesthetic appeal in the plastics.

Paints and Coatings

The Paints and Coating industry is probably the largest consumer of pigment blue 16. In this industry, the pigment is used to provide different paints and coatings a bright and vibrant blue hue. Usually, most paints are designed for application on building exteriors. Such surfaces have to be weather-resistant. Pigment Blue 16 is ideal for this application since it is resistant to environmental factors such as moisture and extreme temperatures. Thus, paint incorporating the pigment will maintain its color and quality even under adverse conditions.

Ink

Ink manufacturers use pigment blue 16, especially for printing inks. The pigment provides high color strength that enables it to give prints a brighter and more vivid appearance. In addition, the pigment is very fine and easily dispersible. Thus, it does not negatively affect the ink's viscosity, flow properties, and ease of application. Most inks are also exposed to UV light during their application. Pigment blue 16 has excellent lightfastness, so it is well suited for maintaining color in different printing applications.

Product Specifications and Features of Pigment Blue 16

Pigment blue 16 is a strong inorganic colorant that hardly fades. As noted before, it has different varieties, though. The most common types are inorganic pigment blue 16 PG7 and organic pigment blue 16. Both types have similar product specifications and features.

Technical Specifications

Some of the important technical features include:

• Chemical Family: Pigment blue 16 belongs to the colorant family of chemical compounds known as the Phthalocyanine group.
• Chemical Formula: The chemical formula is C32H16N8Cu2. The pigment is created from two copper ions, a central N nitrogen ion, and a carbon compound called Phthalocyanine.
• CAS Number: The CAS number for Pigment Blue 16 is 57683-20-10.
• Color: Pigment Blue 16 has a deep and bright azure hue.
• Form: The pigment is usually produced in powder form for easy use.
• Specific Gravity: The specific gravity varies depending on the manufacturer and dispersion medium. However, it is generally between 1.3 to 1.8.
• Water Solubility: Pigment Blue 16 is water-insoluble. It does not dissolve in water.
• Oil Absorption: Oil Absorption also generally varies based on the dispersion medium and manufacturer. However, it is usually about 50 g oil/kg of pigment.
• Particle Size: The particle size for pigment blue 16 is typically between 0.5 and 10 micrometers.

How to Use

Pigment blue 16 is commonly used as a colorant in various products across industries such as paints, plastics, ceramics, and cosmetics. It is used for creating a vibrant blue hue in formulations.

Maintenance and Repair

There are two main types of pigment blue 16: organic and inorganic. The organic variety of pigment blue 16 typically requires less maintenance and is slightly less durable than the inorganic variety. On the other hand, the inorganic variety is much more durable, especially when exposed to elements such as sunlight, heat, and moisture.

Choosing Pigment Blue 16

When choosing pigment blue 16, buyers have to consider several factors to ensure they get the best quality for their requirements.

• Purity and Quality: The effectiveness of pigment blue 16 will depend on its purity level. Low-quality pigments will usually have impurities that affect their color and quality. Therefore, buyers should ensure they get high-quality and pure pigment blue 16 with the least possible impurities.
• Particle Size: Different pigment blue 16s come in varying particle sizes. Ideally, the pigment should be as fin as possible. Such a size guarantees smooth applications that prevent rough textures on the end product. It also provides a uniform color throughout the application. This is especially import when the pigment is used in varying industries like paints, coatings, and plastics. Larger particle sizes are more suitable for easy mixing.
• Color Strength: Buyers should also look at the color strength of the pigments. Color strength refers to the ability of the pigment to impart color to a media. A pigment with high color strength will need to be used at low concentrations to achieve vibrant coloration. This makes it the ideal choice for applications that require more volume of pigment but where giving off color fastness is a concern. Such applications usually utilize the pigment in low to medium concentrations.
• Application Method: Buyers should consider the dispersion method of the pigment. For some pigments, the dispersion process can be quite simple. For others, it can be very complicated. Generally, pigments with finer particle sizes require more effort in dispersion than those with larger particle sizes. In turn, this can affect the ease of use and cost-effectiveness of the pigment when using it in varying applications. Therefore, it is important for buyers to learn about the dispersion methods of their preferred pigments and what impact they will have on the applications.

Q&A

Q. What is Pigment blue 16 used for?

A. Pigment blue 16 has a wide range of applications. For example, it is commonly used in the cosmetics industry to formulate products like eye shadows, face creams, blush, and vanishing cream. The pigment gives the products a vibrant and appealing blue color. It is also used in other industries such as plastics, coatings, and inks.

Q. Is Pigment Blue 16 lightfast?

A. Yes, the pigment has excellent lightfastness. Lightfastness is one of the important characteristics of pigment blue 16. It makes it possible for the materials incorporating the pigments to retain their color even when exposed to environmental elements such as sunlight. That is why pigment blue 16 is used for outdoor applications such as coatings and construction materials.

Q. Which is more color fast between pigments and dyes?

A. Pigments have more color fastness than dyes. Moreover, pigments have a more extensive application range than dyes. That is because pigments are highly resistant to environmental factors such as moisture, heat, and UV light. On the other hand, dyes are usually dissolved in a liquid, allowing them to easily permeate fibers. Therefore, they are absorbed by and chemically bond with the material to give it color. This makes dyes highly susceptible to degradation by elements such as water and light. Thus, although both offer color fastness, pigments are more practical for applications exposed to environmental factors.