Polyrez Chemie – Gain From Our Presence

COLORANTS

The usual colorants for pearl nail enamels are suitable with the exception of Rhodamine, which tends to fade in thixotropic nail enamels. For the most part, transparent colorants are used with Pearl scent pigments in order not to decrease the luster. This restriction does not apply to crème nail enamels, where opaque pigments, such as ferric oxides or in form of Dispersed Pigmented NC Chips are often used.

Some colorants shift in color to some extent on incorporation in thixotropic nail enamels, which are slightly acidic in reaction. Color shift is generally most noticeable at very low colorant concentration.

Rather high levels of  colorant may reduce  the bottle luster of frosted enamels to some extent. The formulator will naturally choose the combination of pearly luster and color intensity, which is satisfactory to him. Excessively high concentrations of some colorants may actually result in a decrease in the thixotropy of the system. Prior tests should be made to anticipate any such problems, following the general procedure described under ‘Laboratory Control’.

Since commercial color suspensions generally contain nitrocellulose, there is a possibility of unfavorable interaction with pearl concentrates and pastes if the nitrocellulose used in these colorants is unsuitable. Laboratory test with contemplated color suspensions will indicate if there are any adverse effects on suspension or bottle luster. Most nail enamel color suspensions are fully compatible with our pearl systems. Remember, however, that the amount of color suspension used should be deducted from the quantity of diluting lacquer, so that prescribed ratios are observed.

VISCOSITY OF THIXOTROPIC NAIL ENAMELS :

Nail enamels prepared from TX Concentrates are thixotropic and display lower viscosity when flowing than when stationary. The nail enamels therefore have low viscosity when brushed on the nail and low readily to form a smooth film. The stationary enamel in the bottle, however, increases in viscosity to the point where pigment particles remaining suspension.

However, the ‘stationary viscosity’ must not be excessively high, or a continuing slow increase on long aging may result in gelling in the bottle. Although vigorous shaking can break down such gels, they have the dis-advantage that changes in position of the bottle during shipping and storage can result in disorientations, which create an undesirable mottled appearance.

THINNER FOR REDUCING VISCOSITY :

Viscosity is most important for proper behavior of the nail enamel. High viscosity gives best bottle luster and minimizes syneresis. Excessively high viscosity, however, encourages gelling in the bottle, which may lead to mottling when the position of the bottle is changed. Low viscosity minimizes this mottling, but imparts less than maximum bottle luster and may permit some syrersis seen as a small clear layer at the top of the bottle.  With excessively low viscosity, a grainy appearance may develop, followed eventually by actual pigment settling.

MIXING PROCEDURES :

Pearl pastes and concentrate sometimes become quite stiff during storage in the original container. The viscous structure of the concentrate should be reduced prior to dilution. Samples of material packaged in jars may be stirred by hand with a spatula to disrupt the structure. With production quantities, it is advisable to place the pail on a paint shaker for about 5 minutes before opening in order to break down the thixotropic structure. The contents are then stirred to insure uniformity, and the desired quantity is weighed out.

It is advisable to permit the finished nail enamel to age overnight before bottling. The batch should then be restored with moderate, no high shear agitation. Pearle scent nails enamels often display brighter bottle luster after this brief aging period, and crème nail enamels tend to have improved stability. Finally, the nail enamels is filtered or screened  prior to bottling in order to remove any foreign particles or poorly dispersed particles. A 200-mesh stain-less steel screen or nylon cloth is suitable for this purpose.

LABORATORY CONTROL :

All nail enamel components should be tested in the laboratory before plant batches are manufactured. The only true comprehensive test is a practical use test. That is, the formulation in question should be prepared for the specific batches of raw materials, which are to go into the production lot. This procedure should include every ingredient: the pearl, the lacquer, each of the colorant suspensions, etc.

It is desirable to set aside, in tightly sealed containers, portions of each component as standards for future reference. Then, if a laboratory nail enamel prepared from a group of raw materials proves to be unsatisfactory, the product for the difficulty can be ascertained by substituting the product standard for each component in turn.

• Customer specific shades of pearl pigments can be incorporated in TX  suspension gel concentrates as required which can be further provided on request.