pigmentsmost

Pigmentsmost is a generally used but non-standard label in pigment technology referring to pigments that meet or exceed the highest performance criteria for color strength, opacity, and durability across common substrates and environments.

Definition and scope: The term lacks an official definition and is applied in practice to describe pigments that surpass predefined thresholds for brightness (chroma), covering power, lightfastness, and chemical and heat stability. Evaluation typically relies on standardized tests for lightfastness, color stability under accelerated aging, and resistance to solvents or abrasion, conducted with pigment samples dispersed in representative binders or media.

Composition and forms: Pigmentsmost can include both inorganic pigments (such as metal oxides and ferrites) and synthetic organic pigments (including some members of the quinacridone and phthalocyanine families). They are marketed as dry powders or encapsulated formulations to improve dispersibility and performance in coatings, inks, plastics, and related media.

Applications and considerations: The category is used where longevity and intensity are critical, such as architectural coatings, automotive finishes, high-end inks, and durable plastics. Because there is no universal standard for what constitutes pigmentsmost, performance claims depend on the specific testing protocol, formulation, and end-use conditions. Cost, availability, and potential toxicity or regulatory considerations also influence suitability for a given application.

See also: colorfastness, pigment, lightfastness, dispersion.