Overview
ISO 1247-2:2021 specifies requirements and test methods for vacuum metallized aluminium pigments (VMP) intended for use in paints and printing inks. It covers material characteristics, sampling, and laboratory procedures to confirm conformance. The standard defines VMP as pigments produced by a vacuum metallizing (physical vapour deposition, PVD) process and subsequent sizing of vacuum-aluminized foils. These pigments are typically non-leafing unless technically treated otherwise.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Material scope: Vacuum metallized aluminium pigments suitable for paints and printing ink industries (non-leafing by default).
- Core characteristics and limits (see Table 1 of the standard):
- Non-volatile matter: minimum 10.0% mass fraction (reference ISO 1247-1:2021 Clause 8).
- Residue on 45 µm sieve: maximum 1.0% mass fraction (Clause 6); alternative sieve sizes/limits can be agreed between parties.
- Water content: maximum 0.2% mass fraction (ISO 1247-1:2021 Clause 14). If a hydrophilic solvent is used the max can be 2% (by agreement).
- Particle size distribution: method by laser diffraction (ISO 13320); limits to be agreed between parties.
- Metallic impurities: limits and drying temperature to be agreed between parties (see ISO 1247-1:2021 Clause 17).
- Test methods and procedures:
- Sampling per ISO 15528.
- Detailed procedure for determination of residue on sieve: mixing a measured test portion with compatible solvent (liquid containing 60–95% solvent), passing the suspension through a 45 µm test sieve, collecting residue on a sintered glass filter, drying (105 °C ± 2 °C for 1 h) and weighing to 1 mg precision.
- Test reporting requirements: product ID, reference to ISO 1247-2:2021, results, deviations, test dates.
Applications and who uses it
- Quality control laboratories verifying pigment compliance for paints and printing inks.
- Pigment manufacturers specifying VMP product characteristics and tolerance limits.
- Paint and ink formulators and procurement teams ensuring raw-material conformity.
- Regulatory and conformity-assessment bodies assessing material declarations.
- R&D teams optimizing pigment production (PVD process) and surface treatments.
Related standards
- ISO 1247-1:2021 - Aluminium pigments for paints - Part 1: General aluminium pigments
- ISO 13320 - Particle size analysis - Laser diffraction methods
- ISO 15528 - Paints, varnishes and raw materials - Sampling
- ISO 18451 series - Terminology for pigments, dyestuffs and extenders
Keywords: ISO 1247-2:2021, vacuum metallized aluminium pigments, VMP, paints, printing inks, test methods, residue on sieve, particle size distribution, non-volatile matter.
