Aluminium flakes are best known as pigments for paints, inks and plastics. There are nevertheless many existing and potential applications in which these pigmentary properties are of lesser or even no relevance. In such applications, the properties of aluminium metal itself can be more important than the shape or size of the flakes.
This paper considers non-pigmentary applications relevant to polymers. Some have already yielded commercially viable products. Others can be regarded as subjects for research and development. In total however, they should dispel the impression that aluminium flakes are only useful for their pigmentary properties.
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