The difference between organic pigments and inorganic pigments

The difference between organic pigments and inorganic pigments

       Pigment is a material used to create colors and is commonly used in painting, printing ink, paint, plastics(color masterbatch) and other fields. They come in different colors, sheen and textures, making our world richer and more colorful. However, there are also different classifications among these pigments, the most common of which are organic pigments and inorganic pigments.

1. Organic pigments

        Organic pigments are compound pigments composed of atoms such as carbon and hydrogen. Their color usually comes from one of the colors of the rainbow, and their colors are richer and more vivid than inorganic pigments. Organic pigments are usually classified based on their molecular structure and color stability. Organic pigments are used in a wide range of applications, including printing inks, plastics, coatings and paints. They are often used to create vibrant colors due to their wide range of color options and the ability to mix to create a variety of shades and adjustments. In addition, organic pigments have good dispersion and adhesion properties and can be easily mixed into various substrates.

        Organic pigments can be divided into several categories such as monoazo, disazo, color lake, phthalocyanine or condensed ring pigments.

2. Inorganic pigments

       Compared with organic pigments, inorganic pigments are pigments composed of inorganic substances. They are usually oxides or acid salts of metals, and their color is due to the metal ions themselves. Since inorganic pigments have a narrow range of color options, their colors are usually relatively light colors (e.g., yellow, blue, red, etc.). Inorganic pigments are also widely used in coatings, ceramics, powder coatings, watercolors and other fields. Inorganic pigments maintain color stability better at high temperatures, so they are often used in applications in high-temperature environments. In addition, inorganic pigments also have strong hiding power and light resistance, which can keep the color from fading for a long time.

       Inorganic pigments are mainly carbon black and metal oxides or salts such as iron, titanium, barium, zinc, cadmium, and lead.

3. Comparison of organic pigments and inorganic pigments

       There are many differences between organic and inorganic pigments. Some of the key differences are:

        1. Color stability: Organic pigments are usually less stable, while inorganic pigments are more stable. Organic pigments may fade when exposed to sunlight, while inorganic pigments are less susceptible to the effects of light.

        2. Color selection: Organic pigments have a wider range of color options and can create various shades and lightness. Inorganic pigments have a narrow range of color options, usually only different shades and shades of a certain color.

        3. Color brightness: The color of organic pigments is brighter than that of inorganic pigments. Due to the chemical structure of organic pigments, they can produce very intense and saturated colors.

        4. Stability: Organic pigments are not very stable and will gradually deteriorate under the influence of time and environment. Inorganic pigments are relatively unaffected by time and environment.

        Overall, there is a big difference between organic pigments and inorganic pigments. Although they are widely used in various fields, their respective application scopes are different. When choosing pigments, we should decide which pigment to use based on actual needs to best meet the actual needs.