THERMOCHROMIC PIGMENTS, INKS, SLURRIES & MASTERBATCHES

Thermochromic Dry Pigments

QCR Solutions supplies dry, microencapsulated thermochromic pigments for manufacturers and experienced formulators developing their own color-changing inks, coatings, and selected resin systems.

IS DRY POWDER THE RIGHT FORMAT?

Choose dry powder when you control the complete formulation—including the binder, solvent package, mixing method, cure conditions, pigment loading, and coating thickness. Powder provides formulation flexibility, but it is not ready to use and must be evaluated in the complete application.

A different format may be more practical when:

• You are formulating a water-based system: consider thermochromic aqueous slurry.
• You need a ready-to-print system: consider a finished thermochromic ink.
• You are molding or extruding thermoplastics: consider thermochromic masterbatch.

IMPORTANT FORMULATION LIMITS

Thermochromic pigments are microcapsules, not conventional pigments. Use only enough mixing energy to obtain uniform dispersion. Aggressive solvents, incompatible binders, bead or ball milling, excessive shear, and prolonged heat can damage the capsules and permanently weaken or destroy the color-changing effect.

Evaluate the pigment before and after mixing, curing, or processing. Final performance depends on the complete formulation, deposit or part thickness, background color, activation temperature, and intended exposure conditions.

Available Products: Color and activation-temperature combinations vary. Ask us to confirm the current options appropriate for your formulation and process.

Technical documents: Pigment TDS | Solvent Compatibility Chart
*BPA Free version available for toy and indirect food contact applications.

Thermochromic Aqueous Slurries

QCR Solutions supplies pre-dispersed, microencapsulated thermochromic pigments for manufacturers and formulators developing their own water-based inks and coatings.

IS AQUEOUS SLURRY THE RIGHT FORMAT?

Choose aqueous slurry when you control the water-based formulation but want the thermochromic microcapsules supplied in a liquid carrier. Slurry reduces dry-powder handling and simplifies incorporation into compatible aqueous systems.

Aqueous slurry is not a ready-to-use ink. The customer must select a compatible binder and evaluate the complete formulation, application process, drying conditions, film deposit, substrate, and required durability.

A different format may be more practical when:

• You are developing a nonaqueous or selected UV-curable system: consider thermochromic dry powder.
• You need a ready-to-print system: consider a finished thermochromic ink.
• You are molding or extruding thermoplastics: consider thermochromic masterbatch.

IMPORTANT FORMULATION LIMITS

Compatibility depends on the binder chemistry, pH, co-solvents, additives, solids content, mixing method, drying or curing conditions, and coating deposit. Aggressive co-solvents, excessive shear, bead or ball milling, prolonged heat, or freezing can permanently damage the microcapsules.

Settling can occur during storage. Gently remix the slurry until uniform without introducing unnecessary shear.

Representative historical family data: 48% ±2% solids; pH 5.0–5.5; 97% below 6 microns; 12-month shelf-life guidance below 25°C under controlled storage. Confirm current grade-specific data before use.

Available Products: Colors and activation temperatures vary. Ask us to confirm the current options appropriate for your water-based formulation.

Technical documents: Aqueous Slurry TDS

Ready-to-Use Thermochromic Inks

QCR Solutions supplies finished thermochromic inks for selected screen, flexographic, gravure, and textile printing applications. Available ink families include water-based, solvent-based, UV-curable, and plastisol systems.

IS A FINISHED THERMOCHROMIC INK THE RIGHT FORMAT?

Choose a finished ink when you need a formulated thermochromic system matched to a defined printing method and substrate rather than developing an ink from dry powder or aqueous slurry.

“Ready-to-use” means the pigment has already been incorporated into an ink system. It does not mean one ink will work on every press or substrate. The customer must confirm adhesion, color strength, temperature response, drying or curing, and required durability under actual production conditions.

A different format may be more practical when:

• You formulate your own water-based ink or coating: consider thermochromic aqueous slurry.
• You develop your own nonaqueous or selected UV-curable system: consider thermochromic dry powder.
• You mold or extrude thermoplastics: consider thermochromic masterbatch.

IMPORTANT PRINTING REQUIREMENTS

Ink selection depends on the printing method, substrate, surface treatment, mesh or anilox specification, print deposit, press speed, and drying or curing conditions. Rub resistance, washing, lamination, outdoor exposure, and other end-use requirements must also be defined.

The print deposit must provide enough color and opacity in the cold state while allowing the intended background or hidden graphic to appear when warm. Excessive heat, UV exposure, incompatible cleaners, thinners, or additives can weaken the color-changing effect.

Available Products: Ink chemistry, color, and activation-temperature combinations vary. Ask us to confirm the current options matching your printing process and substrate.

Technical documents: Textile Screen Ink Water Based TDS | Textile Screen Ink Plastisol Based TDS | Screen Water Based Ink TDS | Screen UV Ink TDS | Flexographic UV Inks TDS | Flexographic Water Based Ink TDS
Thermochromic Screen Solvent Screen Ink TDS- upon request

Thermochromic Masterbatch

QCR Solutions supplies pelletized thermochromic concentrates for manufacturers evaluating reversible color change in injection-molded and extruded thermoplastic products.

IS THERMOCHROMIC MASTERBATCH THE RIGHT FORMAT?

Choose masterbatch when you process thermoplastics and want the thermochromic material supplied as a pelletized concentrate rather than incorporating dry pigment into the resin yourself.

The masterbatch is blended with a compatible base resin before molding or extrusion. It is not a universal colorant. The carrier resin, customer’s exact polymer grade, processing conditions, loading, and part design must work together without damaging the thermochromic microcapsules.

A different format may be more practical when:

• You formulate water-based inks or coatings: consider thermochromic aqueous slurry.
• You develop your own nonaqueous or selected UV-curable system: consider thermochromic dry powder.
• You need a formulated printing system: consider a finished thermochromic ink.

IMPORTANT PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS

QCR Solutions’ best-supported standard evaluation path is TP51FDA masterbatch in polypropylene applications. Other polymers require confirmation of the carrier-resin compatibility and a controlled evaluation under the intended processing conditions.

Performance depends on the melt-temperature profile, residence time, screw speed, backpressure, shear, number of heat histories, loading, wall thickness, cooling conditions, and background color. Excessive heat, prolonged residence, or aggressive processing can damage the microcapsules and permanently weaken or destroy the color change.

Use a controlled loading and thickness ladder in the customer’s exact resin and process. Historical use in a resin family does not establish compatibility with every grade, additive package, or manufacturing method.

Available Products: Colors and activation temperatures vary. Ask us to confirm the current masterbatch options appropriate for your polymer, process, and finished article.

Technical Documents: Product-specific TDS and supporting documentation are available upon request. Regulatory suitability must be evaluated for the exact masterbatch, resin, loading, finished article, and intended use.