Pigmented paint is paint that contains pigments, which are the substances responsible for the paint's color. Pigments are essentially colored powders that are insoluble in the paint's medium, meaning they don't dissolve. They are often derived from natural sources like minerals or organic materials, but some are also synthetically produced.
Pigments give paint its visual color and also provide body to the paint, which refers to its texture and density. The amount of pigment in a paint determines its pigment loading, a term that refers to the percentage of pigment in the paint. Paints with higher pigment loading are generally considered to be of higher quality.
In addition to color and body, pigments also contribute to the paint's physical and chemical properties. They can influence opacity, lightfastness, and durability.
Here are some examples of commonly used pigments:
- Titanium dioxide is a white pigment that is used in many paints.
- Iron oxide is a red pigment that is used to create rust-colored paints.
- Ultramarine blue is a blue pigment that is made from ground lapis lazuli stone.
When pigments are mixed with a binder (also known as a vehicle), such as oil or acrylic, they form a paint. The binder acts as a film-forming component, allowing the paint to adhere to surfaces and dry.
