Colorant acceptance of Candidate Color system Bases

1.0 INTRODUCTION
For an optimum performance of a color system it is very important to have an optimum color development
of the colorants in the candidate base paints. When colorants are added to the base paints, the
ingredients of the colorants and base paints are mixed and the results can never be completely predicted.
During the development of the colorants Evonik Colortrend B.V. makes sure that the colorants have no or
only a minor effect on the paint properties when the recommended maximum colorant addition levels are
followed. However, for every combination of colorant and candidate base paint the color development
needs to be checked.
At the beginning of a technical project repetition of this test is mandatory, in particular in case of a
change in ingredients (different supplier, different quality of the same ingredient or even a complete
change in ingredients).

2.0 PURPOSE
The color development of the colorants in candidate base paints is influenced by several aspects:
The wetting of the candidate base paint: in case a candidate base paint has a wetting problem with
the colorants it means that the amount of surfactant in the candidate base paint is not sufficient to
wet all the free surface of the TiO2 (or extenders) in the paint. If a colorant is added and mixed in
thoroughly, the surfactants of the colorant migrate to the TiO2-particles of the paint. This can cause
agglomeration of the now under stabilized pigment particles in the colorant. As a result the full color
development will not be reached.
Compatibility of a colorant in the candidate base paint: the medium of the colorant and the medium
of the candidate base paint differ too much (for instance in polarity) to mix properly. Due to this
incomplete mixing the color development is not optimum. Incompatibility of a colorant with a
candidate base paint also influences the gloss level, the drying time and the flow characteristics of the
base paint.
Though both aspects are different in nature, the test-procedure for both problems is the same. Also,
both problems can be solved by addition of a suitable additive to the candidate base paint.

It is strongly advised to test all the colorants to be used in a certain candidate base paint
3.0 PROCEDURE
3.1

Equipment & Materials

A. Electronic Balance minimum of 2 decimal readability

B.

Plastic Jars and lids, 50 ml

C. Plastic jars, 200 ml

D. Mechanical Shaker / Mixer (i.e. Red Devil model 5400, Skandex Paint Mixer, Collomat ZM 18). Unless
specified otherwise, the Red devil is used.
E.
F.

Drawdown paper Sheen , 500 g/m2 white coated paper.

Film applicator 150 microns, unless specified otherwise.

G. Small ( wooden) spatula

H. Colorants
I.

Paint sample

J.

Dissolver, 4 mm flat disc

3.2

Sample Preparation & Testing

Colorant acceptance of Candidate Color system Bases

A. Use homogeneous paint and colorant samples.

B.

Weigh the appropriate colorant amount and add appropriate paint amount in 50 ml jars (table 1).

C. Mix for 2 minutes, using the mechanical shaker.

D. When necessary use spatula to achieve a fully homogeneous mixture.
E.

Take a small sample and store this.

F.

Mix the remaining part for 8 minutes, using the mechanical shaker (total mixing time is 10 minutes).

G. Use film applicator to apply both samples side by side on draw-down paper.
H. Wait until paint starts to set, then firmly rub the paint making circular movements with a finger.
I.

Paint application should be air-dried at ambient temperature.

Base paint

Amount of colorant

Pastel
Intermediates
Transparent

Addition of white colorant

1% (masic)
3 % (masic)
3 % (volumetric)

3 % (volumetric)

Table 1: amount of colorant needed for colorant acceptance tests of the different bases
Testing of base paints without colorant addition:
Follow 3.2 for a sample of base paint without addition of colorant to test effects of the test-procedure on
the base paint. Check for deviations like foam build-up, loss of gloss upon shaking etc.
Testing of white colorants:
In intermediate bases, the white colorant should be tested in combination with a colorant which proved to
be fully compatible. Follow point A-I with 1.5% (w/w) of white colorant and 1.5% (w/w) of the compatible
colorant.
Testing of 2-component base paints:
For 2 component base paints, the amount of colorant needs to be calculated based on the total amount of
component A and component B. Follow point A-F with component A. Add the right amount of component
B to both samples and mix both using the mechanical paint shaker (1 minute). Then proceed with point
G-I.

3.3

Evaluation

A. Compare the un-rubbed parts with the rubbed parts on color differences. Also compare the 2 minutes
shaken versus the 10 minutes shaken parts on color differences.
B.

When no color differences are observed, the colorant acceptance of the colorants in the candidate
base paints is OK.

C. When color differences are observed, the colorant acceptance is not OK. The addition of a suitable
additive can help to solve the problem.

3.4

Testing of additives

Additives are usually added to the untinted candidate base paint using typical addition levels of 1 % (w/w).
For testing the additives are added to the candidate base paint as a post addition. For optimum
performance of an additive, it is usually advised to add the additive to the base paint before the TiO2 is
added. In that case also less additive might be needed. When a suitable additive has been found, it is
advised to incorporate this additive during the production process of the candidate base paint. The exact
amount of additive needed for optimum performance should be determined.

Colorant acceptance of Candidate Color system Bases

A. Add 1% (m/m) of additive to the untinted candidate base paint (200 ml jars).
B.

Mix the additive into the candidate base paint using the dissolver (flat disc 40 mm, 3500 rpm) for 2
minutes.

C. Follow the sample procedure described in paragraph 3.2.

D. Evaluate the suitability of the tested additive following the procedure described in paragraph 3.3.
E.

In case the color development is OK after addition of the additive, the exact amount of additive
needed for optimum performance should be determined.

F.

In case the color development is not OK after addition of the additive, another additive should be
tested.