<h2>Introduction to Pigment Failure Modes</h2>

Blue pigments used in industrial systems are exposed to a wide range of processing and service conditions, including high temperatures, chemical environments, and mechanical stress.

When pigment selection does not account for these factors, various failure modes may occur, leading to color instability, processing issues, or reduced product lifespan.

<h2>Thermal Degradation at High Processing Temperatures</h2>

One of the most common failure modes of organic blue pigments is thermal degradation.

Many organic pigments begin to decompose or lose chromatic strength at processing temperatures above 250–300°C, which are common in engineering plastics, PVC extrusion, and powder coatings.

This degradation can result in color shift, fading, or complete loss of blue tone during processing or service life.

<h2>Chemical Instability and Environmental Exposure</h2>

Organic blue pigments often exhibit limited resistance to acids, alkalis, and organic solvents.

In chemically aggressive environments or outdoor applications, this instability may cause surface discoloration, reduced color durability, or accelerated aging.

In contrast, inorganic pigments with stable crystal structures show significantly better resistance to chemical attack.

<h2>Dispersion Failure and Agglomeration Issues</h2>

Poor dispersion is another critical failure mode, particularly in coatings and ceramic ink systems.

Organic pigments may form soft agglomerates that are difficult to break down, leading to uneven color development, sedimentation, or printing defects such as nozzle clogging.

Dispersion-related failures are especially problematic in fine-dispersion and ink-based applications.

<h2>Color Drift and Batch-to-Batch Variability</h2>

Variations in pigment chemistry and processing conditions can result in color inconsistency between production batches.

Organic pigments are more sensitive to minor formulation or process changes, increasing the risk of ΔE variation and quality control challenges.

<h2>Why PB28 Cobalt Blue Avoids These Failure Modes</h2>

<a href="https://www.greatkela.com/en/use/Pigments/pb_28_cobalt_aluminate/162.html">PB28 Cobalt Blue</a> is an inorganic pigment based on a cobalt aluminate spinel structure.

This crystal structure provides intrinsic thermal stability, chemical inertness, and resistance to environmental degradation.

As a result, PB28 maintains consistent color performance at high temperatures, under chemical exposure, and in long-term outdoor or industrial applications.

Its inorganic nature also improves dispersion stability and reduces batch-to-batch variability compared with organic blue pigments.

<h2>Implications for Ceramic Ink and High-End Applications</h2>

In ceramic ink and other fine-dispersion systems, pigment stability is critical to avoid printing defects and ensure reliable processing.

PB28 Cobalt Blue is therefore preferred in applications where organic blue pigments fail to meet thermal, chemical, or dispersion requirements.

<h2>Summary of Common Failure Modes</h2>

<ul>

  <li><strong>Thermal failure:</strong> organic pigments degrade at elevated temperatures.</li>

  <li><strong>Chemical failure:</strong> limited resistance to acids, alkalis, and solvents.</li>

  <li><strong>Dispersion failure:</strong> agglomeration leads to uneven color and processing defects.</li>

  <li><strong>Color instability:</strong> higher risk of ΔE variation and inconsistency.</li>

</ul>