Phosphorescent Pigments

Phosphorescent Pigment has an unique property. Due to this property these pigments can glow even in the dark. Therefore, these pigments are also called as "glow in dark" class pigments.

Common pigments used in phosphorescent pigments include very smooth crystal particles of zinc sulfide and strontium aluminate. To stimulate the zinc sulphide crystal, some quantity of copper is added with it. As a result, the pigments of Phosphorescent will give the attribute to absorb light and emit this absorbed light for a longer period of time. The emitting process of absorbed light is called as Phosphorescence.

Phosphorescence is a specific type of photoluminescence related to fluorescence. The emitting brightness or phosphorescence of the Phosphorescent Pigments will remain visible upto few hours in the darkness. The time period can be extended from 2 to 4 hours and it depends upon the types of the pigments and intensity of the trapped energy. The other factors upon which the visibility period will depend are:

• Capacity of our eyes for light adaptation
• Surrounding and distance from the phosphorescence
• Surrounding light
• Types of pigments
• Size of the pigments

These pigments are mix with water based products in such a quantity, so that it can fully be used at that time because, these pigments dry up very quickly when these are mixed with water based products. Users should use a matter medium in order to not call attention instead of using any flat medium. Instead of using the present surface on which he/she is working, any acrylic glazing medium can be chosen. The extraordinary feature of these Phosphorescent pigments is that these can bring glows in the color palette in the dark.

Example: For an image having approximate dimension of 12" each and two glazed spoons into a plastic container.
Put a teaspoon of pigments on a plastic lid or paper lid. First, immerse the brush into the glaze and then dip into the pigments. The mixture of the pigments and glaze can be used on the stencil if the user have a stencil. For mixing the mixture on the stencil, user should follow the circular motion. Instead of offloading, user should apply the circular motion to offloading the pigments on to the stencil image. Until the whole image is not being covered, use this method repeatedly. The definition of the image will be obtained from the stencil pencil. With many applications, the user will need to build up the pigments.

If the user doesn't have any stencil then he/she can use a brush size. The brush size should be according to the image that has to be developed. The desired glow giving effect of the glow image either will be reduced or eliminated by the painted details. The user must abide the instructions while working with these pigments. He/she should avoid from any direct touch with skin or from inhaling the pigment powder. By using any clear acrylic product, the entire image can be sealed if it is required acrylic product will not damage the the glow.

Inks
Phosphorescent pigments have a special binding medium. Therefore, these pigments are mixed together with inks to made phosphorescent inks. For phosphorescent printing, the printing that is available is only silk screen printings.

Plastic Resins
Only transparent or translucent resins are suitable for the use phosphorescent pigments.

Paints
Phosphorescent pigments and a special binding medium are the components of phosphorescent paints. What material has to be painted? and what method of painting has to be used? are the two determinants of selecting binding mediums. Methods of painting are of different types like spray injection, machine coating etc. the binding medium should have the quality to increase the light stability.