ChromaFlair is the registered trademark for a pigment used in paint systems, primarily for automobiles. When the paint is applied, it changes color depending on the light source and viewing angle. It was created at JDS Uniphase Flex Products Group in Santa Rosa, California and is used by DuPont and PPG.
The paint system (and competing versions made by other companies) are known by a wide variety of proprietary names, including ChromaLusion, ChromaPremier, ColourShift, Exclusive Line, Extreme Colors, Harlequin Color, IllusionColor, Maziora, MultiTones, MystiChrome, Interference Fireglow and Paradis Spectrashine.
The effect is achieved by interfering with the reflection and refraction of light from the painted object's surface. The paint contains tiny synthetic flakes about one micrometre thick. The flakes are constructed of aluminium coated with glass-like magnesium fluoride embedded in semi-translucent chromium. The aluminium and chrome give the paint a vibrant metallic sparkle, while the glass-like coating acts like a refracting prism, changing the apparent color of the surface as the observer moves around. Interestingly, ChromaFlair paints contain no conventional absorbing pigments; rather, the pigment is a "light interference pigment": the color observed is created entirely by the refractive properties of the flakes (analogous to how people perceive rainbow colors in oil slicks).
The ChromaFlair pigment is available in thousands of different color variations. It is usually applied to items whose visual appeal is considered important — such as motor vehicles, electric guitars and computer case mods.
- Case Study: Mystichrome appearance package adds colorful flair to Ford's 2004 Cobra — Example of a ChromaFlair paint application from DuPont.
- asknature.org - ChromaFlair Color-Shifting Paints — This page has a nice Creative Commons picture of a ChromaFlair painted car.