Fluorescent Pigment Selection Guide
Category: F Fluorescent Pigments
Which Deping fluorescent pigment series fits your application? Start from what you make — this page points you to the right series, the two limits you must respect, and where to get samples and TDS.
1. Start from Your Application
Pick the row that matches what you produce. The series in the middle column is the starting point — confirm the final choice against the TDS of that series before production.
| Application | Start with | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Injection moulding & extrusion (PP, PE, PET, PVC, TPR, EVA) | DX or DZ | The decisive check is processing temperature — keep the melt temperature within the series limit; for DX, the limit is 195 °C |
| Masterbatch | DQ (designed for it); DFQ also works | Carrier resin must match the final product's base resin |
| Blow-moulded bottles & containers | DQ | Pre-dispersing in masterbatch gives more even colour than dry-blending powder at the machine |
| Water-based coatings & colour pastes | DX | DX is the series listed for water-based coatings |
| Powder coatings | DZ, DP or DFQ | Curing schedule must stay within the pigment's heat resistance |
| Printing inks & paints | DP or DFB; DFQ also covers inks & coatings | Test for bleed in solvent-based systems before production |
| Rubber, TPR, EVA | DFL | Confirm compatibility in the actual compound |
Base colour matters: white bases show fluorescence best; dark bases absorb it. Always test on the actual base colour.
2. The Series at a Glance
Deping's fluorescent pigments come in seven series in the technical guide. The thermoplastic series soften and melt on heating; the thermoset series do not melt and keep their particle form during processing.
| Series | Resin Type | Main Applications |
|---|---|---|
| DX | Thermoplastic | PP, PE, PVC, water-based coatings |
| DZ | Thermoplastic | Moulded and extruded articles — PP, PE, PET, PVC, powder coatings |
| DQ | Thermoplastic | Blow-moulded bottles, masterbatch |
| DP | Thermoset | Inks, paints, powder coatings |
| DFQ | Thermoset | PP, PE, PVC, masterbatch, inks, coatings, powder coatings |
| DFB | Thermoset | Inks, paints, coatings |
| DFL | Thermoset | PP, PE, PVC, TPR, EVA, rubber |
Also listed on our Products page: DS (thermoplastic — inks, PET film, metal, glass, woodwork). Detailed specifications for DS are available on request — please contact us for the TDS.
3. Two Limits to Respect Before You Choose
4. Colours
The main colour range covers chartreuse, green, yellow, orange yellow, orange, red orange, red, cerise, pink, magenta, violet and blue shades. A few colours are series-specific: royal blue and strong magenta are available in the DX series only, white and clear in the DP series only, and some shades are not offered in the DZ/DQ series — please refer to the colour chart and TDS for the exact availability of a given shade.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why do fluorescent colours fade outdoors?
Because the fluorescent dyes themselves are sensitive to sunlight: ultraviolet exposure progressively destroys the dye molecules that produce fluorescence, so brightness and then colour are lost. This is an inherent property of all daylight fluorescent pigments, not a quality defect. For outdoor use, verify the fading behaviour with exposure tests in advance.
Q2: Which fluorescent pigment series can be used in powder coatings?
Three Deping series are listed for powder coatings: DZ (thermoplastic), DP and DFQ (thermoset). Whichever you choose, confirm that the coating's curing schedule stays within the pigment's heat resistance, because the pigment has to survive the full curing cycle without losing brightness.
Q3: What is the maximum processing temperature for the DX series in injection moulding?
The DX series has a heat resistance of up to 195 °C, so melt temperature and residence time must be kept within that limit, as stated in the TDS. Processing hotter than the limit degrades the fluorescent dye and shows up as lost brightness and shade shift in the moulded part.
6. Next Step: Samples and TDS
Tell us your application, base resin and processing temperature, and we will suggest the series and shade — free samples and TDS are available on request. Email sand@depingchem.com or use our Contact Us page.