ChromaFlair
ChromaFlair is the registered
trademark for a paint system, created by DuPont, which appears
to change colour depending on the light source and viewing angle.
The system (and competing versions made by other
companies) are known by a vast variety of proprietary names, including
Chameleon Colors, ChromaLusion, ChromaPremier, ColourShift, Exclusive
Line, Extreme Colors, Harlequin Color, IllusionColor, Kameleon Kolors,
Maziora, MultiTones, MystiChrome 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 chrome. The aluminium and
chrome gives the paint a vibrant metallic sparkle, while the glass-like
coating acts like a refracting prism, changing the apparent colour
of the surface as the observer moves around. Interestingly, ChromaFlair
paints contain no actual pigments: the colour we observe is created
entirely by the refractive properties of the flakes (analogous to
how we perceive rainbow colours in oil slicks).
The ChromaFlair system is now available in thousands
of different colour variations. It is usually applied to items whose
visual appeal is considered important — such as motor vehicles,
electric guitars and computer case mods.
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