Maaliväri

Maaliväri, often translated as "paint pigment" or "coloring matter," is a substance that imparts color to paint. It is typically in the form of fine, insoluble particles dispersed within a binder. The color of a pigment is determined by its chemical composition and how it absorbs and reflects light.

Historically, pigments were derived from natural sources such as minerals, plants, and animals. Ochres, derived from iron-rich clays, provided reds, yellows, and browns. Ultramarine, a vibrant blue, was once made from lapis lazuli, a precious stone. Plant-based pigments like indigo offered blues and purples.

Modern paints primarily utilize synthetic pigments, which offer a wider range of colors, greater stability, and often lower cost. These are manufactured through chemical processes. Pigments can be classified based on their chemical makeup, such as titanium dioxide (white), iron oxides (reds, yellows, browns), and cadmium compounds (bright reds, yellows, oranges).

The choice of pigment affects not only the color but also the opacity, lightfastness (resistance to fading), and durability of the paint. Different types of paints, whether for artistic, architectural, or industrial use, will employ specific pigments suited to their intended application and required performance characteristics. The binder in the paint holds the pigment particles together and allows them to adhere to a surface, while the pigment provides the visible color.