Kerox Polyester Pigments
These are dispersions of inorganic and organic compounds in a special grade of unsaturated polyester resin vehicle, which cross links during curing with commercial grades of Gelcoat and GP resin systems.
Opaque and Translucent Pigments are two varieties in this range.
 
Kerox Epoxy Pigments
These are dispersions of inorganic and organic compounds in a special grade of saturated polyester resin vehicle, which functions as a plasticizer in commercial grades of Epoxy resin systems.
Commercial epoxy resin systems vary between manufactures and hence the amount of hardener required to cure the resin (Amine Equivalent Weight) varies.  Addition of any third component that is epoxy based will require the correct computation of the hardener required.  Usage of Kerox Epoxy Pigments eliminates the need to make such computations.
 
Pigment Usage Levels
The following is the recommended usage level of Kerox Pigments with commercial grades of molding resins.  The percentage levels listed here is based on the weight of the molding resin.
  8%-12% Gelcoats  
  4%-6% Laminates  
  8%-10% Sheet/Dough Molding Compounds  
  1%-5% Translucent Pigments Usage  
  4%-6% Filled Castings  
  8%-10% Pultrusions  
Not using enough pigments may lead to non-uniformity of color and other surface defects.  Higher pigmentation levels will provide better color uniformity, color depth, brightness and longer durability.
 
Mixing Instructions
Kerox Pigments mix readily with commercial polyester and epoxy resin systems. Small quantities of pigments can be mixed easily by hand stirring.  However, for large quantities of pigment, power mixing is necessary.  The following guideline is helpful for mixing Kerox Pigments with resins:
  Add a weighed quantity of the pigment into a mixing container, followed by a small amount of the resin.  
  The contents are mixed well until the color is uniform.  
  This is followed by adding the remainder of the resin, with further mixing, until the system is homogeneous in color.  
On no account should a small quantity of the pigment be added to a large bulk of the resin, without first thinning, as described above.
Catalyst and Accelerator Addition
The catalyst for curing the pigmented resin should be added as per the instructions of the original manufacturer of the resin.  As a general working rule the catalyst should be added to the pigmented resin just before actual usage.  For best performance Kerox ME-50 MEKP Catalyst and Kerox C-20 Accelerator should be used.  A recommended usage level is 3% on the weight of the resin of each.
 
Storage Stability
Kerox Pigments have excellent stability in storage and the minimum guaranteed shelf-life is 6 months.  Storage below 250 0C is recommended for longer shelf life.
 
Color Matching
Kerox Pigments can be mixed with one another to obtain intermediate shades.  Dark shades present no particular color matching problems, but light shades may pose some difficulty.  Kerox uses the latest state-of-the art color matching computer software and tools.  Colors can be custom matched to customer's requirements, provided the minimum quantity is over 250 Kilograms.
 
Contact keroxoffice@kerox.org for sales or technical assistance on our Polyester and Epoxy Pigment products. 
 
Color Chart
View over 400 colors online.
 
Literature and Links
Kerox Pigments - Product Profile
Kerox Pigments - Value Comparison
Kerox Pigments - MSDS
Kerox ME-50 MEKP Catalyst & Kerox C-20 Accelerator
UKAS ISO 9001:2000 Certificate
ANSI-RAB ISO 9001:2000 Certificate
 
Value Proposition
Premium Pigments: Quality inorganic and organic pigments from ISO certified companies, conforming to the Color Index (C.I.) standards, are used in the formulation of the dispersion.
Engineered Resin: We manufacture our own pigment grade resin, which has been engineered in-house, and which has evolved since 1968.
Compatibility: This base vehicle offers excellent compatibility with commercial grades of polyester resin.
Superior Cross Linking: The unsaturated pigment grade resin in our Polyester Pigments cross links during curing and provides better structural properties to the composite.
Flexibility: The chain length of the pigment grade resin is designed to provide flexibility in the polymer, thereby preventing surface brittleness of the finished composite.
Micron Particles: The pigment particles are processed to attain a particle size below 7 microns.
Dispersion Stability: The particles are dispersed and stabilized using specially formulated surface active agents, using science based on the DLVO concept.
Maximum Loading and Hiding Power: Our formulations contain the maximum loading of dry inorganic and organic colors in the pigment dispersion, thereby giving maximum coverage and hiding power.
Color Uniformity: Provides a uniform surface coloration and streak-free appearance in the finished composite.
Color Consistency: Computerized color analysis laboratory using spectrophotometers enables color consistency between batches.
ISO Procedures: Processing is done as per ISO 9001:2002 procedures, ensuring optimium quality control.
Cost: Kerox Pigments offer the lowest cost of coloring unit surface area of the finished composite
Product Applications
Kerox Pigments have been widely used since 1968 in manufacturing processes such as Hand Lay-Up, Spray Lay-Up, SMC, DMC, Pultrusion, Filament Winding, Vacuum Bagging, RTM, and RFI.  It has served to color the products of numerous industry segments.
Building Industry - Structural frames and bridges, doors and windows, flooring and tiles, table top laminates, bathtubs and jacuzzi, bathroom accessories and fittings, roof sheets, ladders, fences, mobile dwellings, portable toilets, and water tanks.
Marine Industry - Boats and ship construction, decks, and masts.
Aerospace and Automotive - Aircraft bodies and structural frames, wings, helicopter blades, space equipment, rocket bodies, missile housing, car bodies, fenders, and canopies.
Sports - Surf boards, skis, protective gear and helmets, fishing rods, goal posts, and flag masts.
Medical - Prosthetics (artificial limbs)
Chemical Industry - Process plant equipment, pressure vessels and containers, tanks, cooling towers.
Electrical Industry - Switch boxes, electrical housings, and electric poles.
Recreational - Amusement park facades and equipment, roof lights, sculptures, specialty furniture, and architectural items.
 
Certified Quality
Kerox has been awarded the ISO 9001:2000 certification by UKAS (UK) and ANSI-RAB (USA) for the manufacture of Polyester and Epoxy Pigments.
 
Super Range Pigments
Kerox has introduced this exciting range of high quality and low cost product.  These pigments have the same loading, coverage, hiding power, as our Premium Range products.
To make it convenient for our customers the Premium Range uses our existing numbering system and is reflected in our online color chart.  This range is manufactured using the time tested and evolved formulae since 1968.
The newly introduced Super Range also uses the same numbering as the Premium Range, except that a suffix -S is attached.  Most of the colors in our standard list of Premium Range Pigments are available in the equivalent Super Range.  Color variations between the Premium and Super Ranges is typically ΔE ≤ 2.
Super Range Pigments have a lower cost than our Premium Range Pigments because of sourcing choices in raw materials and technological innovations made possible by our R&D.
The choice of selecting between the Premium and Super Range of Pigments is left to the discretion of the customer.  Both are high quality products.
 
Superior Performance
Light Fastness: Kerox Pigments exhibit excellent light fastness and will not fade or discolor on exposure to sunlight.  However, pastel shades in our range are recommended for indoor applications.
UV Resistance: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, from sunlight, accelerates the chemical and physical degradation of FRP moldings exposed to outdoor conditions.  The degradation occurs mostly on the surface of the molding.  But once degraded, the surface tends to chalk and erode due to weathering, exposing fresh surface to further attack. Protection of outdoor structures fabricated in FRP is, therefore, important.  Kerox Pigments absorb and convert UV radiation into heat, which is dissipated to the surrounding medium readily.  Therefore, pigments prolong the outdoor service life of composite moldings.  Protection by this mechanism depends on the pigment concentration on the surface.  Gel coats having higher pigment loading will, therefore, afford longer protection.
Outdoor Durability:  The durability of the Kerox Pigments depend on environmental conditions such as heat, light, moisture, and industrial pollutants present in the atmosphere.  Generally the darker shades will have better durability when exposed to outdoor conditions.
Heat Resistance:  FRP moldings manufactured using dough/sheet molding compounds are usually processes at elevated temperatures of 140 0C to 160 0C, or higher.  The heat resistance of the pigments in such applications depend on exposure time, temperature, oxidizing conditions during processing, heat transfer coefficients, and heat transport rates.  We supply special polyester pigments for coloring these moldings.
Chemical Resistance: The compatibility of pigments to chemicals depends on the material constitution of the pigments themselves.  As a general rule chemicals that would react with polyester resins would be incompatible with the pigments.  Our technical staff would be able to assist you in recommending the available choice of colors for your applications.
Electrical Properties:  Polyester moldings are used to a large extent in electrical applications.  Special Kerox Pigments can be offered which will have no adverse effects on track resistance, surface resistivity, dielectric strength and other insulation properties.
Toxicity:  The toxicity of Pigments depends on the raw materials used in the formulation.  We can recommend a choice of pigments depending on your requirements.
 
Epoxy Pigments
Epoxy Resins have poor color stability and tend to darken upon hardening.  Therefore, usage levels of light colored Pigments will be higher than that for dark colored Pigments.  Sample testing is recommended with epoxies.

Copyright © 2000-2020.  Kerox™