Thermochromic Material Contents

1. Introduction

The core contents of thermochromic microcapsule are leuco-dye, color developers and temperature controllers. By using different temperature controllers, NCC thermochromic products come in various activation temperatures.

2. Product Description

A. Color Conversion:

When the temperature is raised to a specified temperature, it goes from colored to colorless. The product returns to the original color as the temperature cools down.

Colored as temperatures cool down

Colorless as temperatures raise

B. Available Activation Temperatures:

–15℃ ~ 70℃

C. Color:

15 available colors for each activation temperature. (Except 70℃, only black and dark blue available for 70℃) All colors can be mixed with each other or added other pigments.


Red 186C	Rose Red 238C	Margenta Rubine Red C	Brown 497C

Vermilion 185C	Orange 021C	Yellow 387C	Charm Green Green C

Green 335C	Sky Blue 313C	Turkish Blue 320C	Blue 301U

Dark Blue 294C	Violet 2728C	Black Black 5C2X

3. Applications

A. Available Products & Applicability

B. Thermochromic Slurry

a. Product Description

Thermochromic slurry is microencapsulated aqueous dispersion with good dispersal in water, suitable for water based ink, paint. It contains 45%(±5%) of solid content. The average particle size of the slurry is 3-10µm.

b. Properties

Good dispersal in water, suitable for aqueous based screen printing, paint, and ink.

c. Recommended Concentrations

For aqueous based ink/paint 5%~60% w/w
(For best results, about 25% concentration is required for 20µm film thickness)

d. General Recommendations

Avoid high polarity solvents, such as methanol, ethanol, acetone and methyl-ethyl-ketone, which will affect the microcapsules contents through permeation.

Slurry may clump together during storage. Heating the slurry to 45℃ in a double boiler to disperse.

Changes of PH may cause changes of color conversion.

C. Thermochromic Microcapsulated Powder

a. Product Description

Consist of compound formulation, containing moisture ≦ 3%. Its average particle size is 3-10µm.

b. Properties

With good solvent resistance and dispersal, thermochromic microencapsulated powder is suitable for ink/paint and plastic injection/extrusion.

c. Recommended Concentrations

For solvent/ aqueous based ink/paint 　　　　　 5%~30% w/w
(For best results, about 25% concentration is required for 20µm film thickness)

For plastic injection/extrusion　　　　　 0.1% ~5% w/w
(For best results, about 0.5% concentration is required for 0.2cm plastic thickness)

d. General Recommendations

Avoid high polarity solvents, such as methanol, ethanol, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone, which will affect the microcapsules contents through permeation.

The processing temperatures of plastic applications should not be over 230℃.

D. Thermochromic Masterbatch

a. Product Description

Thermochromic masterbatch contains 12%-18% of microcapsules. The percentage of microcapsules contained depends on its different color formulations.

b. Properties

Dispersed and used easily, can be directly applied to plastic injection/extrusion.

c. Recommended Concentrations

For plastic injection/extrusion　　　　　 1% ~5% w/w
(For best results, about 0.5% concentration is required for 0.2cm plastic thickness)

d. General Recommendations

Standard masterbatch is PE masterbatch.

Add phenolic heat stabilizers only may destroy the color changing properties.

UV stabilizer/absorbent may affect the color changing properties.

4. Miscellaneous

A. IT&DT chart

Chart of color change to temperatures: Exp. 31℃ Dark Blue.

When temperature is going up to 30℃, red color begins fading. The color completely disappears at 32℃.

When temperature is going down to 28℃, red color begins appearing. The color is strongest at 26℃.

Please note each color has its specific activation temperatures. The heat conduction speed of base materials does affect the thermochromic products reactions to temperatures.