Definitions for the Colorant and Coatings Industry

Colorants

A substance that is added or applied to add color to or change the color of a material or surface. Colorants can be used for many applications including thermoset composites, paints and coatings, textiles, inks and plastics. Colorants work by absorbing varying amounts of light at different wavelengths and reflecting the remaining wavelengths. Chromaflos’ colorants contain pigment (solid particles) which are dispersed, stabilized and suspended in a vehicle i.e. Water, solvent, binder, etc.

Paint colorants

A paint colorant contains pigment (solid particles) which are dispersed, stabilized, and suspended in a liquid vehicle i.e. Water, Solvent, etc. The colorant is specifically designed to be compatible with the type of paint it is applied to.

Architectural colorants

Architectural colorants are paint colorants specifically designed for use in architectural paints.  These include paints for indoor and exterior architecture. These colorants can be designed for “Point of Sale” use, i.e. applied to paint using an automated dispensing machine at the retail store or “In Plant” use and applied by the paint manufacturing to create a colored paint.

Industrial colorants

Industrial colorants are specifically designed for paints made for everything other than architectural applications. This includes but is not limited to protective and marine, industrial maintenance, Automotive (exterior, and interior), etc. Industrial paints in general have unique requirements that require a specific colorant to meet them.

Thermoset colorants

A thermoset colorant contains pigment (solid particles) which are dispersed, stabilized, and suspended in a liquid polymeric vehicle or plasticizer i.e. Polyester, polyalchohol, epoxy, DINP, etc. The colorant is specifically designed to be compatible with the chemistry of the thermoset composite formulation and minimize any influence or change on the physical properties of the final product.

Liquid colorants

A colorant that contains pigment (solid particles) which are dispersed, stabilized, and suspended in a liquid vehicle i.e. Water, Solvent, liquid polymer, etc.

Liquid colors for plastics

A liquid colorant for plastics contains pigment or dye in a liquid vehicle.  The colorant is specifically designed to be compatible with the chemistry of the thermoplastic polymer(s) and minimize any influence or change on the physical properties of the final product.

Pigment pastes

Pigment pastes are liquid colorants with as maximum pigment concentration and a minimum concentration of liquid vehicle. In general, pigment pastes are restricted to “In Plant” use.  Note: “Pigment paste” is also often mistakenly used a synonym for any liquid colorant that contains pigment. Other synonyms include: Pigment Preparation, Pigment Dispersion, etc.