Floating Vacuum metallized pigments vs Non-Floating Vacuum metallized pigments – Full Comparison

Mirror silver pigment is essentially ultra-thin vacuum metallized aluminum flakes (VM aluminum). The core difference between the two lies in the coating additives on the aluminum flake surface, which result in completely different aluminum distribution inside the dry coating film, leading to distinct gloss, adhesion, weather resistance and applicable scenarios.

1. Fundamental Manufacturing Principle

1. Floating Vacuum metallized pigments

Aluminum flakes are coated with stearic acid (saturated fatty acid), featuring extremely low surface energy and poor wettability with resin.
During film drying, surface tension drives all aluminum flakes to float to the top surface layer of the coating, forming a continuous reflective film via single-layer flat stacking.
Aluminum flakes are almost exposed on the coating surface with minimal resin encapsulation.

2. Non-Floating Vacuum metallized pigments

Aluminum flakes are coated with oleic acid / siloxane (unsaturated fatty acid), fully wettable and compatible with resins and solvents.
Aluminum flakes are evenly dispersed throughout the entire coating thickness, fully wrapped by resin without full surface floating.
Aluminum flakes exist in the surface, middle and bottom layers to form a dense integrated coating structure.

2. Key Performance Comparison Tabl

Comparison Item	Floating Vacuum metallized pigments	Non-Floating Vacuum metallized pigments
Mirror Brightness & Reflectivity	Ultimate mirror effect, ultra-bright white front tone, highest reflectivity with clear mirror imaging, chrome-like appearance	Slightly weaker mirror gloss, lower front brightness; superior side-angle blackness with deep metallic texture
Flop Effect (Angle-Dependent Color)	Grayish-white when viewed from side angles, poor blackness	Dark black shade at oblique viewing angles, premium electroplated metallic finish
Adhesion & Scratch Resistance	Poor; surface-exposed aluminum flakes easily rub off to reveal substrate	Excellent; resin encapsulates aluminum flakes, scratch-resistant with no silver peeling
Weather Resistance & Anti-Oxidation	Poor; surface aluminum directly contacts air & moisture, prone to darkening and oxidation	Outstanding; resin barrier isolates air, resists discoloration & oxidation for long-term outdoor use
Top Coating & Recoat Compatibility	Cannot be clear-coated or recoated; top clear coat dissolves surface aluminum, causing haze & gloss loss	Compatible with all clear topcoats and multi-layer recoating, standard choice for industrial topcoats
Compatible Solvent Systems	Only suitable for low-polarity solvents (xylene, petroleum ether); alcohols, ketones and water break floating property	Compatible with full solvent systems including alcohols, ketones, esters and water-based formulas

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