Basic Classifications of Pigments

Based on Chemical Composition

Pigments can be divided into inorganic pigments and organic pigments according to their chemical composition. They can also be divided into natural pigments and synthetic pigments according to their sources.

Natural pigments are derived from minerals, such as cinnabar, laterite, realgar, malachite green, and heavy calcium carbonate, wollastonite, barite powder, talc powder, mica powder, kaolin, etc. Biological origin, such as from animals: cochineal insect red, natural fish scale powder, etc. 

Synthetic pigments are artificially synthesized, such as inorganic pigments such as titanium white, lithopone, lead chrome yellow and iron blue, and organic pigments such as scarlet powder, even light yellow, phthalocyanine blue and quinacridone.

Based on Functions

The pigments are classified according to their functions, such as antirust pigments, magnetic pigments, luminous pigments, pearlescent pigments, conductive pigments, etc. Color classification is a convenient method. Such pigments can be divided into white, yellow, red, blue, green, brown, purple and black, regardless of their origin or chemical composition.

Based on the Type of Compound Contained

Pigments can be classified according to the type of compounds contained: inorganic pigments can be subdivided into oxides, chromates, sulfates, silicates, borates, molybdates, phosphates, vanadates, ferricyanates, hydroxides, sulfides, metals, etc; Organic pigments can be divided into azo pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, anthraquinone, indigo, quinacridone, dioxazine and other polycyclic pigments, aromatic methanes pigments, etc. according to the chemical structure of compounds.

Based on the Perspective of Production and Manufacturing

From the perspective of production and manufacturing, it can also be classified into titanium pigments, iron pigments, chromium pigments, lead pigments, zinc pigments, metal pigments and organic synthetic pigments. This classification method is of practical significance, and often one system can represent a professional pigment production industry.

Based on Applications

From the perspective of application, it can also be classified into pigment for coating, pigment for printing ink, pigment for plastic, pigment for rubber, pigment for ceramics and enamel, pigment for medicine and cosmetics, pigment for art, etc. All kinds of special pigments have some unique properties to meet the application requirements. The pigment manufacturer can also recommend a series of pigment products to professional users.