Follow-up on powdered pigments
Todd Sleeman
Description
Collection
Title:
Follow-up on powdered pigments
Creator:
Todd Sleeman
Date:
5/26/2021
Text:
First, I want to thank everyone who offered input on the use of powdered pigments. There is a giant selection of pigments available, just search for “Mica Pigment”. My initial search was for a gold. I found that easily. Attached are two pictures.
The first is of the frame of my flexible socket. That is two layers of NSP braid over some NSP tape. 3-5% pigment in standard resin. I didn’t need to do this for the finished product but I wanted to see how it would look. It came out pretty nice. If I was going for a more solid look on a finished socket I’d probably add a nylon or two.
The second is the completed flexible socket. That is 4 layers of polyamide 66 over the frame, and 4 layers under the frame. It is 5%-ish of the pigment in the protheflex resin. I think it came out very nice. Smooth finish, fairly consistent color. There were some undercuts where the resin wanted to pool and some of the mica pigment dropped out. Not unattractive, but something to keep in mind. I don’t think this would be a problem for most sockets.
I also ordered a Pearl Blue pigment. This comes as a white powder with a faint blue tinge. Again, 3-5% in standard laminating resin with a drop (literally) of white pigment. I’m not sure the white was needed. This was then just laminated into a regular layup with carbon on the outside. This is my first time using it and it had an interesting effect. I think not using the white, upping the pigment percentage some, and not stringing it out so much may let the color pop out more. Same socket, just a few different angles as it is hard to see in some light. (and yes, I noticed the air in lamination)
Todd
The first is of the frame of my flexible socket. That is two layers of NSP braid over some NSP tape. 3-5% pigment in standard resin. I didn’t need to do this for the finished product but I wanted to see how it would look. It came out pretty nice. If I was going for a more solid look on a finished socket I’d probably add a nylon or two.
The second is the completed flexible socket. That is 4 layers of polyamide 66 over the frame, and 4 layers under the frame. It is 5%-ish of the pigment in the protheflex resin. I think it came out very nice. Smooth finish, fairly consistent color. There were some undercuts where the resin wanted to pool and some of the mica pigment dropped out. Not unattractive, but something to keep in mind. I don’t think this would be a problem for most sockets.
I also ordered a Pearl Blue pigment. This comes as a white powder with a faint blue tinge. Again, 3-5% in standard laminating resin with a drop (literally) of white pigment. I’m not sure the white was needed. This was then just laminated into a regular layup with carbon on the outside. This is my first time using it and it had an interesting effect. I think not using the white, upping the pigment percentage some, and not stringing it out so much may let the color pop out more. Same socket, just a few different angles as it is hard to see in some light. (and yes, I noticed the air in lamination)
Todd
Citation
Todd Sleeman, “Follow-up on powdered pigments,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 5, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/255383.
