SMART Daylight Fluorescent Pigments

SMART Daylight Fluorescent Pigments are solid solutions of fluorescent dyes in transparent resin, which appear brilliant in daylight and react vigorously under ultraviolet. They can be used as conventional pigments, and are available in two ranges, the general purpose GP Range, and the PL Range for plastics. Because of the common base, all shades in the same range are chemically equivalent.

Grade	Type	Characteristics	Shades
GP Range	Emulsion polymerisation in polyamide	Suitable for virtually all inks, paints and many plastics including PVC film. Formaldehyde free.	GP-P Pink GP-R Red GP-O Orange GP-Y Yellow GP-G Green GP-B Blue
PL Range	Ground polyamide	Suitable for extruded plastics. Formaldehyde free.	PL-P Pink PL-R Red PL-O Orange PL-Y Yellow PL-G Green PL-B Blue

Physical Properties	GP Range	PL Range
SG	1.4	1.4
Particle (av)	5 µm	10 µm
Thermal stability	250°C	250°C
Lightfastness (BWS)	3 to 5	3 to 5

Application guidelines:

GP Range – use as a first choice ‘universal’ daylight fluorescent pigment for most inks, paints and plastic film applications. Insoluble, should not be milled or ground, disperse by high speed stirring in liquid formulations. Concentrations from 10% to 50% can be used consistent with efficient dispersion.

PL Range – for use in high stress applications, such as plastics extrusion. Soluble in most polymers. Add directly to the premix, masterbatching is not normally necessary.

SMART pigments may be blended together, but do not blend them with non-fluorescent pigments or dyes, or other opacifiers, which will quench the fluorescent emissions. Coatings should always be applied over a white base. For outdoor applications the use of UV absorbers is recommended to improve lightfastness, either directly in the formulation, or preferably as an overlacquer.
SMART pigments are generally considered to be non-toxic if used as recommended, and comply with the requirements of Toy-CEN regarding heavy metal content.