Benefits of Using Mica Pigment for Paints and Coatings

Any naturally occurring mineral element that consists of a collection of silicate minerals and composed of the different amount of iron, potassium, aluminum, magnesium, and water is known as Mica. It belongs to a very large group of minerals that seems perfectly suitable for its use along with several applications. The chemical, physical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties make Mica Pigment suitable for using in various different applications.

Chemical properties – It is a compound hydrous silicate of aluminum that contains magnesium, iron, sodium fluorine, potassium, lithium, and some amount of few other elements. Therefore, the pigment flakes are highly constant and static to the action of water, alkalis, acids (except for hydrofluoric and concentrated sulphur), conventional solvents, bases, and oil. Thus, it remains unaffected by atmospheric changes.

• Physical properties – Mica Pigment is translucent, colorless in thin sheet, optically flat, elastic and incompressible, and can easily split into thin films.
• Electrical properties – It consist of exclusive combination of capacitance stability, uniform dielectric steadiness, enormous dielectric power, high electrical resistance and low temperature coefficient, and high Q factor and low power loss. Therefore, it is suitably considered due to its resistance to arc and corona discharge.
• Thermal properties – They are highly fire resistance, non-inflammable, incombustible, infusible, and can resist to a temperature for up to 1000 degree Celsius (1832 degree Fahrenheit). Further, it has low heat conductivity, excellent thermal stability, and can get exposed to the highest degree of temperature without any change in its properties. However, the thermal properties of mica can vary according to its type and variety.
• Mechanical properties – Mica consist of great tensile strength, elastic, tough, and huge flexibility. Therefore, it has immense compression power that can be die-punched, machined, or hand cut.

Hence, it is largely considered to use mica pigment for paints and coatings as it consist of some great qualities like:

• Color consistency
• Ease of dispersion
• Excellent tint retention
• Chemical resistance
• Prevents from fading, chalking, cracking, and loss of gloss
• Improved binder stability
• Formulation flexibility
• Exterior durability
• Low iron removes iron staining and improve binder stability
• Non-hydroscopic providing stain and mildew resistance