ATLANTA CHEMICAL ENGINEERING®
Balancing Creativity and Functionality
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
On this page we have answered some of the most commonly-asked questions, about our products. If you don’t find the answer to your specific question, please check the "instructions for use" webpage or contact us, so we can help clarify the facts.
* What chemical compounds should be avoided in combination with your thermochromic products?
Organic solvents such as Acetone, Dimethyl Ethyl Ketone and Hexane could destroy the fine microstructure of the thermochromic material. Compounds with strong acidic and alkaline properties are harmful as well. Avoid combining any of these with our thermochromic products.
* Are the thermochromic products stable under direct sun light?
If exposed to direct sunlight for an extensive amount of time, the ultraviolet rays from the sun will destroy the thermochromic products. However, for cases that require some degree of UV stability for the specific application, a protection could be possibly achieved by using UV protection coating.
* Do your products contain any hazardous components to my health?
No. The thermochromic pigments and our water-based paints and inks are NON-toxic products conform to ASTM 4236 standard. However, we recommend you to follow the general rules for personal protection – wear latex gloves and protective glasses. The thermochromic products should not be ingested!
* What is the shelf life of your thermochromic products?
The shelf life for the paints and inks is up to 1 year. The pigments last for more than one year depending on the storage conditions. For longer shelf life, we recommend keeping the thermochromic materials in a cool, dark and dry place.
* Can different thermochromic products be mixed together?
We do not recommend mixing our products with different colors and activation temperatures.
Note: You can use them layered on the top of one another, in some instances. For example, let’s say you have two thermochromic paints – "Black to Pink" at 95°F (35°C) and "Blue to Colorless" at 88°F (31°C). Apply the first layer "Black to Pink," wait until it completely dries and then paint the second layer using the "Blue to Colorless" paint. When you begin heating the painted object, the color will first turn from blue to black and then the black will turn to pink. This can be done with 3 or more thermochromic paints/inks with the appropriately chosen colors and activation temperatures.
* What is the maximum heating temperature and time of your thermochromic paints and inks once they are already painted and dried?
The maximum heating temperature should not exceed 320°F (160°C). High temperature heating should not exceed 2 minutes.
* Can I apply clear paint sealer to lock the surface painted with the thermochromic paint/ink? What if the sealer contains strong organic solvents?
The clear paint sealer will not interfere with the color changing process. It is OK if the sealer contains strong organic solvents. Since they are not mixed with the thermochromic product at the liquid stage, the thermochromic paint/ink will be not affected.
* Can your fabric paints be used on leather?
Yes, the products are safe to use on leather and most of the textiles.
* I printed my name on a T-shirt using your thermochromic fabric paint. Can I wash it along with my other clothes using regular detergent?
Yes, you can. Our product is resistant to most of the detergents, hot water and bleach.
* I would like the bowl of my floor lamp to stay colored during the day and change back to white when I light it up. The bowl is made of plastic, so is it possible to use your thermochromic paint on this kind of surface?
Yes, our thermochromic paint could be applied on most plastics, metals, ceramics, glass and many other materials.
* What is the area coverage per unit volume of your thermochromic paints and inks?
For the thermochromic fabric paints it is between 2 and 4 square feet per 2 ounces can (1858 - 3716 cm² / 60 ml), depending on the type of the texitle used for screen printing. For the thermochromic paints and inks it is between 4 and 6 square feet per 2 ounces can (3716 - 5574 cm² / 60 ml), depending on the type of the surface subject of the painting.
* What is the drying time of the thermochromic paints and inks?
The drying time depends on the type of the surface subject of the painting, ambient temperature and relative humidity, but usually it takes from 2 to 12 hours. The painted surface could dry in as little as a few minutes if it's heated. The temperature of the heating source should stay below 320°F (160°C).
* Could I apply the thermochromic paint using a spray gun?
Yes, a spray gun could be used. The best results are achieved with the air pressure above 70 PSI.
* I am a science teacher and will be making color changing slime. Could you please give me some guidance on how much should I buy? My instructions are in teaspoons and your pigment comes in grams.
10 grams container has 7 teaspoons Thermochromic Powder Pigment, 50 grams container - 35 teaspoons Thermochromic Powder Pigment.
* What chemical compounds should be avoided in combination with your thermochromic products?
Organic solvents such as Acetone, Dimethyl Ethyl Ketone and Hexane could destroy the fine microstructure of the thermochromic material. Compounds with strong acidic and alkaline properties are harmful as well. Avoid combining any of these with our thermochromic products.
* Are the thermochromic products stable under direct sun light?
If exposed to direct sunlight for an extensive amount of time, the ultraviolet rays from the sun will destroy the thermochromic products. However, for cases that require some degree of UV stability for the specific application, a protection could be possibly achieved by using UV protection coating.
* Do your products contain any hazardous components to my health?
No. The thermochromic pigments and our water-based paints and inks are NON-toxic products conform to ASTM 4236 standard. However, we recommend you to follow the general rules for personal protection – wear latex gloves and protective glasses. The thermochromic products should not be ingested!
* What is the shelf life of your thermochromic products?
The shelf life for the paints and inks is up to 1 year. The pigments last for more than one year depending on the storage conditions. For longer shelf life, we recommend keeping the thermochromic materials in a cool, dark and dry place.
* Can different thermochromic products be mixed together?
We do not recommend mixing our products with different colors and activation temperatures.
Note: You can use them layered on the top of one another, in some instances. For example, let’s say you have two thermochromic paints – "Black to Pink" at 95°F (35°C) and "Blue to Colorless" at 88°F (31°C). Apply the first layer "Black to Pink," wait until it completely dries and then paint the second layer using the "Blue to Colorless" paint. When you begin heating the painted object, the color will first turn from blue to black and then the black will turn to pink. This can be done with 3 or more thermochromic paints/inks with the appropriately chosen colors and activation temperatures.
* What is the maximum heating temperature and time of your thermochromic paints and inks once they are already painted and dried?
The maximum heating temperature should not exceed 320°F (160°C). High temperature heating should not exceed 2 minutes.
* Can I apply clear paint sealer to lock the surface painted with the thermochromic paint/ink? What if the sealer contains strong organic solvents?
The clear paint sealer will not interfere with the color changing process. It is OK if the sealer contains strong organic solvents. Since they are not mixed with the thermochromic product at the liquid stage, the thermochromic paint/ink will be not affected.
* Can your fabric paints be used on leather?
Yes, the products are safe to use on leather and most of the textiles.
* I printed my name on a T-shirt using your thermochromic fabric paint. Can I wash it along with my other clothes using regular detergent?
Yes, you can. Our product is resistant to most of the detergents, hot water and bleach.
* I would like the bowl of my floor lamp to stay colored during the day and change back to white when I light it up. The bowl is made of plastic, so is it possible to use your thermochromic paint on this kind of surface?
Yes, our thermochromic paint could be applied on most plastics, metals, ceramics, glass and many other materials.
* What is the area coverage per unit volume of your thermochromic paints and inks?
For the thermochromic fabric paints it is between 2 and 4 square feet per 2 ounces can (1858 - 3716 cm² / 60 ml), depending on the type of the texitle used for screen printing. For the thermochromic paints and inks it is between 4 and 6 square feet per 2 ounces can (3716 - 5574 cm² / 60 ml), depending on the type of the surface subject of the painting.
* What is the drying time of the thermochromic paints and inks?
The drying time depends on the type of the surface subject of the painting, ambient temperature and relative humidity, but usually it takes from 2 to 12 hours. The painted surface could dry in as little as a few minutes if it's heated. The temperature of the heating source should stay below 320°F (160°C).
* Could I apply the thermochromic paint using a spray gun?
Yes, a spray gun could be used. The best results are achieved with the air pressure above 70 PSI.
* I am a science teacher and will be making color changing slime. Could you please give me some guidance on how much should I buy? My instructions are in teaspoons and your pigment comes in grams.
10 grams container has 7 teaspoons Thermochromic Powder Pigment, 50 grams container - 35 teaspoons Thermochromic Powder Pigment.
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