Formulation guidelines for aqueous blue pigmented systems

jessicawieland
May 18, 2021
2 min read

Updated: Dec 3, 2021

The blue pigments highlighted in this blog are of the Pigment Blue 15 type. These are the copper-phthalocyanine blue pigments and specifically the C.I Pigment Blue 15:0 and 15:3 types.

C.I Pigment Blue 15:0 - this is the alpha crystalline form that usually gives a reddish shade to the pigment. It also tends to be unstable but has very strong colour strength. It has very resistant properties to acids, alkalis, solvents, plasticisers, and the like. The pigment is also lightfast and heat stable. The pigment tends to be used in water-based inks, industrial and decorative paints, and coil coatings.

C.I Pigment Blue 15:3 - this is the beta form and transparent green shade of the copper phthalocyanines. It is completely resistant to acids, alkalis, solvents, plasticisers etc. It tends to have strong tinting powers but is slightly weaker than the alpha forms.

C.I Pigment Blue 15:3 is the most widely used blue pigment and is used in process printing for a wide variety of inks, from water-based to UV systems.

Lankem has developed a new range of dispersing agents based on our new BioLoop technology that offers improved labelling and environmental profiling.

This guide covers three areas:

• The new BioLoop dispersing agents

• Traditional dispersing agents

• Additives to produce Universal Tinting

BioLoop Dispersing Agent - View technical report

The following formulations are based on our BioLoop technology and will produce compatible, stable aqueous dispersions.

The benefits of using a BioLoop product are:

» No skin or eye irritancy

» Good ecotoxicity

» Based on the BioLoop technology

» Powerful dispersing properties

» Low flocculation

» VOC free

Blue 15	%
Pigment Blue 15.0	45
Lansperse BA6	22
PEG 400	4
Biocide	As required
Dfoam AR2	0.1
Water	28.9

Blue 15.3	%
Pigment Blue 15.3	45
Lansperse BA6	22
PEG 400	4
Biocide	As required
Dfoam AR2	0.1
Water	28.9

Traditional Surfactant Systems

Out traditional range of dispersing agents have a proven track record in terms of high performance.

Blue 15.0	%
Pigment Blue 15.0	45
Lansperse DS200W	11
Lansperse DS80	2
PEG 400	4
Biocide	As required
Dfoam AR2	0.1
Water	37.9

Blue 15.3	%
Pigment Blue 15.3	45
Lansperse DS200W	11
Lansperse DS80	2
PEG 400	4
Biocide	As required
Dfoam AR2	0.1
Water	37.9

Anionic surfactant system

The anionic formulation will produce pigment dispersions suitable for the mass colouration of paper, the colouration of soaps and cosmetics, household cleaners etc.

Blue 15.3	%
Pigment Blue 15.3	20
Lansperse DIS145	4.2
Lansperse UT57	3.2
Kelsan Gum	0.5
Dfoam AR2	0.1
Biocide	As required
Water	72

Universal Tinting

The following Universal Tinting formulation guide will produce an aqueous-based tinter that will be compatible with both aqueous and solvent-based decorative coatings.

Blue 15.3	%
Water	32.5
Smectite Clay	0.3
Lansperse DS80	2
Lansperse DS200W	5
Dfoam AR2	0.1
PEG 400	11
Biocide	As required
Pigment Blue 15.3	31
Barium Sulphate	10
Lansperse UT57	8
Monoethanolamine	0.1