Pearl lustre

The pearlescent effect in plastics, coatings and printing inks is produced by adding special particles made of mica, a layered aluminium silicate. These particles are responsible for the fascinating visual effects that can often be observed on various surfaces.

Mica particles have the property of influencing light in a special way. The transparency of the carrier material in which the mica particles are embedded, together with the reflection and interference formation of the mica, produce various gloss effects in the light. These effects are often associated with striking colour changes that can vary depending on the viewing angle. This leads to an iridescent appearance that makes many applications, such as in the automotive industry or in cosmetic products, particularly attractive.