LUMENTIFY
The pigment: stable up to 1,100–1,200 °C
Our glow pigments consist of europium/dysprosium-doped strontium aluminate, an inorganic material. It is thermally stable up to 1,100–1,200 °C – far above any plastics processing. The temperature in injection moulding, extrusion or a 3D printer nozzle therefore does not harm the glow pigment.
The weak point: tinted pigments
The limit is set not by the pigment but by the tinting. Strongly coloured glow shades such as violet, orange or red get their daylight colour from organic dyes that do not tolerate heat. The rule is therefore: do not use tinted pigments from approx. 150 °C.
How to recognise heat-resistant pigments
You can recognise untinted pigments by their daylight colour: it is light and whitish, with a slight tint. Yellow-green looks pale yellowish in daylight, blue-green whitish mint. These pigments are suitable for high temperatures – and they also glow brightest. The stronger the daylight colour, the more likely the pigment is tinted.
| Glow pigment (strontium aluminate) | stable up to 1,100–1,200 °C |
|---|---|
| Untinted pigments (light, whitish daylight colour) | suitable for high processing temperatures |
| Tinted pigments (strong daylight colour) | do not use from approx. 150 °C |
| Surface | SiO₂-coated, hydrolysis-resistant; attacked only by high temperatures and strong acids |
What this means for colour choice
Injection moulding, extrusion and filament printing are practically always above 150 °C – only untinted pigments are suitable here. Tinted shades work well where it stays cooler: for example in coatings, resins or silicone that cure at room temperature or slightly above.
Rule of thumbAbove 150 °C: only pigments with a light, whitish daylight colour. Which pigment suits your process is something we clarify through sampling under your conditions.
Further points for processing
- Polymer and wall thickness. Transparent or light plastics let light reach the pigment and get back out; dark colouring reduces brightness.
- Dispersion. An even glow requires even distribution in the polymer. We match particle size and dosing form to your compounding or dosing equipment.
- Dust. When handling large quantities of powder, avoid dust formation and extract it at source – details in the safety data sheet.
- Moisture. Thanks to its SiO₂ coating, the pigment is hydrolysis-resistant, even in damp environments and permanently in water.