This revised second edition of Coloring of Plastics offers an updated introduction to color as a science while providing a foundation for other related technological subjects. It presents information on color measurement, visual and instrumental methods of color matching, color specifications, and how statistical techniques can improve the consistency of colorants, as well as of the colored polymer products in which they are used. The basic families of colorants are explained, along with compounding methods and the use of color concentrates. Additionally, there is a valuable discussion of the interactions that occur between plastics additives and colorants.

From the Preface: “...Coloring of materials must start with an understanding of the basics of light, how light interacts with objects, and, finally, how humans react to and respond to the visible light reaching the eye and then interpreted by the brain. It should not be a surprise to anyone that no two people will see and interpret a colored object exactly the same. It is these variations and others that make the industry of coloring of plastics so interesting. The subjects in this publication have been designed to cover the most important technical and scientific issues involved in the coloring of plastic materials...”

Target Audience: Product development, research, manufacturing, process, and quality control engineers, chemists, and technologists who are concerned with the coloring of plastics.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Color As a Science

Colorimetry, Color Specifications, and Production Tolerances by Visual and Instrumental Means

Advanced Color Formulation Technology

Visual Color Matching of Plastic Materials

ISO 9000 and Other ISO Standards, Guides, and Test Procedures

Introduction to Colorants

Organic Colorants

Inorganic Colorants

Titanium Dioxide Pigments

Carbon Black Pigments

Soluble Dyes

Photochromic and Thermochromic Colorants

Metallic Pigments

Pearlescent Pigments/Flakes

Fluorescence

Introduction to Colorant Selection and Application Technology

Color Compounding

Dry Color Concentrate Manufacture

Liquid Color Concentrates

Use of Color Concentrates

Product Testing

Effect of Additives on Coloring Plastics

Recycling

The Environment and Government Regulations

Use of Statistics in the Coloring of Plastics

Index