How to create epoxy resins with pearlescent effect ?

Which epoxy resin colorant to use ? You can easily color an epoxy resin by adding mother-of-pearl powder, to tint the resin in the mass with that light touch of color and that shimmering effect. By incorporating mother-of-pearl in the resin, it takes on color and reflects the light.

Pearl powders are insoluble pigments and microscopic particles (approximately 10 to 60 µm), based on synthetic mica. They are flat in shape (like cornflakes), extremely thin in thickness (approximately 2 to 4 µm), and therefore very light : they remain in suspension and do not sediment (fall back) into a viscous medium. We'll see how much and what types to use, and how to incorporate them.

Epoxy resin dyes with nacres

The choice of pigment size is important, the finer it is, the more it gives a satin and silky shine effect, the bigger it is, the more it will reflect light and shimmer like a glitter. There are, as explained below, different transparent or semi-opaque colors, and different families of effects. Before mixing them, be sure to be careful not to inhale these powders, which are very volatile and harmful to the lungs, by working outside or near an air extractor.

Giving a pearlescent effect to the resin is very easy, mixing is done by placing a very small amount of powder on the surface and stirring with a propeller mixer, or simply with a ruler. Using an epoxy resin colorant with pearls must be done with very precise weighing, or else by eye.
Understand that you must incorporate a minimum quantity so as not to cloud the resin and lose its transparency. The addition of mother-of-pearl in epoxy resins must therefore be done by adding the powder gradually. The percentage of pearls per kg of resin depends on the thickness. It can range from 0.5g to 5g/kg.

Types of mother-of-pearl

Pearl pigments are perfectly compatible with all epoxy resins, even water-based ones. The pearls form an ultra-concentrated powder : only 25 grams can cover 5 m².
There are types of transparent pearls, which produce a color by reflecting light, and colored pearls on the surfaces (example : blue, copper, golden, black) which are more opacifying.

Info and tips on nacres in epoxy resins

Do not load, and especially add them before the hardener !
Then, know that these materials are very resistant, both to light and to heat.
Finally, it is possible to combine the effects of mother-of-pearl with depth effects, thanks to colors and tints, provided that they are transparent : the effect produced is then a reflection of light, which penetrates into the resin, bounces off the mother-of-pearl and colored spring !

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