Silver cars, shiny metallic mobile phones, gold labels on beer bottles, glittering lipsticks and fireworks are just a few examples of the everyday uses of metallic pigments which are becoming ever wider and more diverse. This book gives a comprehensive overview of metallic effect pigments. Starting with manufacturing processes through properties to areas of application, the individual chapters offer condensed specialist knowledge based on many years of experience at ECKART. The importance of metallic effect pigments, their wide range of applications and related specifications as well as their development potential are elucidated. The content is aimed at a broad audience. The fundamentals and applications of metallic effect pigments presented here will provide, on one hand, basic knowledge to students and laymen with technical interest and, on the other hand, enable qualified personnel to deepen their knowledge of individual topics. Metallic pigments are distinguished by their optical effect. At different angles of observation, a pronounced light/dark or Flip-Flop effect accentuates the shape of the objects and leads the eye to various curved surfaces.
Because of their reflective properties they can also contribute to protection against degradation from UV light. A special group of metallic pigments called flakes is used in technical applications such as aerated light weight concrete, pyrotechnics and corrosion protection where, as a rule, the chemical and physical and not the optical properties are of importance.