CuZn flake pigments from copper-gold to pale gold, shade-certified per lot. Ink pastes, coating powders, plastics-stabilized grades, tarnish-inhibited premium.
QUICK ANSWER
Copper gold pigment — historically called bronze powder or gold bronze — is a copper-zinc alloy flake (CuZn 70/30 to 90/10) milled to 5-40 µm with leafing or non-leafing surface treatment, producing metallic gold effects from pale gold to rich red gold depending on alloy ratio. It is the standard gold-effect pigment for printing inks, coatings, plastics, textiles, and craft applications.
The 'gold' is alloy chemistry: copper-zinc ratios shift the flake color from reddish copper-gold (high Cu) through rich gold to pale green-gold (higher Zn), and aluminum additions create the lightest pale-gold shades. The pigment leafs like aluminum — floating flakes create continuous gold films in inks and coatings at a fraction of any alternative's cost. The market spans packaging and publication printing (gold inks), decorative coatings, wallpaper, textile printing, and plastics, buying on shade consistency (delta-E against standard), leafing quality, and tarnish resistance of the finished film.
MATERIAL DATA
Lot-level controls focus on the chemistry, particle characteristics, and process values that influence manufacturing consistency and finished-part performance.
| Element | Content | Performance Role |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 70-90 wt% (shade dependent) | Base metal — sets the gold shade from red to pale |
| Zinc (Zn) | 10-30 wt% | Shade shifter — higher Zn lightens toward pale gold |
| Aluminum (Al) | 0-3 wt% (pale shades) | Lightens to the palest gold tones |
| Lubricant | Stearic acid type | Leafing control and milling aid |
| Tarnish inhibitors | Surface treatment | Slows the oxidation that dulls gold effects |
Final limits can be aligned with the agreed purchase specification.
APPLICATIONS
Printing inks are the classic market: gold bronze pigment formulates into offset, gravure, flexo, and screen inks printing packaging, labels, publications, and security-adjacent decorative work — anywhere a gold effect sells the product. Ink makers buy on shade certification (each lot measured against the standard), particle size matched to the printing process (finer for offset, coarser for screen), and leafing behavior that controls print gloss. Paste form for ink manufacture is the standard supply mode.
Decorative coatings and consumer applications follow: gold-effect paints for furniture, frames, and architectural accents; textile printing pastes; wallpaper and gift-wrap coatings; plastics coloration for cosmetics packaging and seasonal goods; and craft/hobby markets. Tarnish resistance is the recurring technical theme — copper-zinc oxidizes and darkens in service, so premium grades carry inhibitor treatments and buyers specify topcoat compatibility for applications needing durable gold effects.
SPECIALTY & COMPOSITE POWDERS
CUSTOM SUPPLY
We supply copper gold pigment across the shade range (copper-gold through pale gold) in ink-grade pastes, coating-grade powders, and plastics-stabilized grades, with certified shade values against standards per lot. Custom shade matching, tarnish-inhibited premium grades, and waterborne-compatible versions are available. Not export-controlled.
We supply copper gold pigment across the shade range (copper-gold through pale gold) in ink-grade pastes, coating-grade powders, and plastics-stabilized grades, with certified shade values against standards per lot.
Custom shade matching, tarnish-inhibited premium grades, and waterborne-compatible versions are available.
MATERIAL COMPARISON
| Comparison Point | This Product | Tinted Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Gold effect quality | True metallic gold tones | Approximation — grayer, less rich |
| Color range | Red-gold to pale gold by alloy | Limited by tint transparency |
| Hiding power | High | Moderate |
| Cost | Low-moderate | Low |
| Tarnish behavior | Darkens over time (managed) | Stable but wrong color base |
| Best use | Authentic gold effects | Cost-first metallic approximations |
TECHNICAL FAQ
Need a different chemistry, particle range, or processing route? Our material team can review the requirement and supply window.
By our shade standards (copper-gold, rich gold, pale gold, lemon gold) with delta-E certification per lot — or send a target and we match it. Shade comes from alloy ratio, so consistency is guaranteed at the alloy level, not by tinting.
Copper-zinc oxidizes — the gold darkens toward brown. Prevention is three-layered: inhibitor-treated pigment, varnish/vehicle chemistry that seals the flake, and topcoating for exposed applications. Our premium grades carry all applicable treatments.
Offset needs the finest grades (5-12 µm) to transfer through the blanket; screen inks use 12-40 µm depending on mesh. Gravure and flexo sit between. We supply ink-maker pastes pre-matched to each process.
Yes — heat-stabilized grades survive standard compounding and molding to about 180 °C; above that, the flake darkens. For engineering-resin temperatures, pearlescent gold is the alternative.
No. Copper-zinc pigment powders and pastes ship as standard decorative raw materials.
RELATED PRODUCTS
Compare neighboring grades from the same material family, then review the complete category for additional chemistry and particle options.
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