ChromaFlair and SpectraFlair Pigment – A Comparison
ChromaFlair light interference pigment changes color when viewed from different angles. SpectraFlair pigment utilizes a diffractive pigment structure that exhibits multiple rainbow colors as the viewing angle changes. The combination of SpectraFlair pigment's rainbow-like color, aluminum core, and fine particle size creates an appealing iridescent, liquid silver metallic appearance.
ChromaFlair and SpectraFlair pigments are similar in their application and use of the pigments in paint formulations. Both can be easily incorporated as "stir in" pigments to provide many styling opportunities when combined with other pigments and dyes.
ColorShift pigments are being used by leading manufacturers to create striking effects that enhance, differentiate, and add value to their products and applications. To view examples of actual products incorporating ColorShift pigments, visit the Image Gallery.
Light Interference and Light Diffraction
Light Interference
The effects created by ChromaFlair pigments are the result of a phenomenon that occurs when light hits an ultra-thin, multi-layer interference flake. This flake is opaque and reflects the light back to the eye, just like a mirror. The shift in color is created by the variances in light interference through layers of the flake. The diagram, Light Interference Phenomenon with ChromaFlair Flake (PDF, 305 KB) illustrates this phenomenon.
A brief discussion of the physics of light interference can be found in the document titled "Thin-Film Interference Color," included in ChromaFlair product documentation.
Light Diffraction
In viewing conditions with a unidirectional light source, the appearance of the rainbow spectrum is determined by the microstructure surface of the pigment flakes when in a coated surface. The microstructure of a SpectraFlair pigment flake is on the order of magnitude of the visible wavelengths of light. SpectraFlair pigment follows additive color theory and can be combined with other pigments and dyes to create custom color stylings. View the diagram Diffractive Phenomenon with SpectraFlair Pigment Technology (PDF, 616 KB) for an illustration.
