MEASUREMENT OF SPARKLE BRIGHTNESS AND CHROMATICITY

HOW ARE DIFFERENT PIGMENTS SPARKLING? AND CAN YOU MEASURE WHAT YOU SEE?

We all know that different effect pigments sparkle differently. For example, you can usually identify our Xirallic® pigments easily in a coating by their crisp "living sparkle®". But can you measure and understand this optical effect?

This particular research delves into the complex optical phenomenon known as sparkle, particularly in effect coatings. Sparkle is influenced by effect pigments, lighting conditions, and observation geometry. Our studies reveal that, while sparkle is visually captivating, its metrological characterization is challenging.

We have meticulously quantified the visual sparkle characteristics of various silver-white pigments and found that commercial measurement devices often fail to capture the true visual impression. By employing innovative evaluation techniques, we bridged the gap between visual perception and quantitative analysis, enhancing the understanding of how different pigments contribute to sparkle effects.

Our results can aid pigment manufacturers to optimize their products and colorists and stylists to achieve desired sparkle characteristics in coatings. As we continue to refine our measurement approaches, we remain committed to advancing the science of sparkle in effect coatings, paving the way for more precise and reliable applications in the industry.