Current automotive coatings systems consist of several layers, such as an adhesion-promoting layer, primer, basecoat and clearcoat.

Today’s coatings market expects more from its white pigments than brightness and opacity. White pigments, such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), barium sulfate (BaSO4) and zinc sulphide, are just examples of many ingredients possible in a complex coatings formulation.

The trade-off in the yellow and orange color space between the weatherability, heat stability and opacity of inorganic pigments versus the chromaticity, brightness and tint strength of organic colorants, in light of the decrease in use of pigments based on deprecated metals, has opened an opportunity for new colored pigment chemistries.

Although silicone-modified polyester (SMP) and super-polyester coatings are well-suited for specific applications, they cannot provide the same proven long-term performance as 70% polyvinylidene (PVDF) coatings due to the latter’s superior chemistry.

New functionalized pigments from the Sachtoperse family of barium sulphate pigments are optimally tailored to their respective binder and designed to provide secure bonding between pigment and resin.

ImExtend™ 14CCL is a new ultrafine calcium carbonate developed for household-appliance powder coatings.

PPG Industries recently released its annual automotive color popularity and trend data.

Nubifer NB-5970, a micronized black iron oxide with a deep bluish undertone and great tinting strength, allows formulators to achieve real bluish-grey color shades.

Performance requirements for carbon black pigments are increasingly important in the development of advanced coating, ink and polymer formulations as the need for more eco-friendly products grows.

Advancements in pigment technologies enable architectural paint formulators to have the ability to provide a broader range of coatings that offer market-driven functionality without sacrificing performance.