Complex Inorganic Color Pigments (CICPs): High-Performance Pigments for Durable and Stable Coloration
Complex Inorganic Color Pigments (CICPs) are a class of high-performance pigments widely used for their exceptional durability, thermal stability, chemical resistance, and long-lasting color. These pigments are engineered by incorporating metal oxides into crystalline structures, resulting in stable and vibrant colorants that perform under extreme conditions. From architectural coatings to plastics and ceramics, CICPs are indispensable where performance, safety, and longevity are critical.
What Are Complex Inorganic Color Pigments?
CICPs are solid solutions or compounds formed by the high-temperature calcination of metal oxides, usually at temperatures above 800°C. This calcination process embeds chromophore elements (such as cobalt, chromium, iron, manganese, nickel, or titanium) into a host crystal lattice (like spinel, rutile, or corundum), producing highly stable pigments with uniform particle sizes and excellent color retention.
Unlike organic pigments, which can degrade under UV exposure or chemical attack, CICPs are known for their inertness, non-migratory behavior, and exceptional weather resistance.
Key Properties of CICPs
Exceptional Lightfastness: CICPs resist fading under prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV radiation, making them ideal for outdoor applications.
Thermal Stability: These pigments can withstand high processing and application temperatures, often up to 1000°C.
Chemical Resistance: CICPs are insoluble in most acids and alkalis, resisting degradation in harsh chemical environments.