PIGMENT BLUE 15:3/ HP BLUE 4559

What Is PB15:3 / HP BLUE 4559

CAS 147-14-8, CI 74160, Type: Copper Phthalocyanine. This particular grade, HP BLUE 4559, is specifically engineered for solvent-based ink systems, delivering the classic greenish-blue shade of the beta crystal form with a decisive advantage in low viscosity and superior dispersibility. As the most stable phthalocyanine blue globally, it combines unmatched lightfastness (Blue Wool 8), heat stability, and chemical resistance, making it the optimal choice for high-performance solvent inks where consistent flow and rapid dispersion are critical for production efficiency.

Why Choose HP BLUE 4559

HP BLUE 4559 is the definitive choice for solvent-based inks because it addresses the two biggest formulation challenges: viscosity control and particle dispersion. Unlike its sibling HP BLUE 4452, which prioritizes bright color for general applications, 4559 is engineered with surface treatment optimized to lower ink viscosity, enabling higher pigment loads without sacrificing flow properties. This allows formulators to achieve deep color strength while maintaining excellent printability in gravure or flexo processes. Where HP BLUE 43145 has no stated advantages and HP BLUE 4452J focuses on fresh color and fastness for other systems, 4559 exclusively targets the low-viscosity, easy-dispersing niche. Choose HP BLUE 4559 when you need rapid wetting in solvent vehicles, stable rheology, and a reliable beta-crystal structure that resists flocculation—ensuring clean, consistent greenish-blue tones in every print run.

Key Features

• Beta crystal form is inherently stabilized against crystal growth and flocculation, ensuring consistent color strength and transparency in solvent ink formulations.
• Excellent lightfastness rated Blue Wool 8 guarantees that solvent-based prints remain fade-resistant even in prolonged outdoor or UV-exposed conditions.
• Low viscosity profile allows for higher pigment concentrations without increasing ink tack, improving press speed and reducing solvent usage in gravure and flexo applications.
• Superior dispersibility means less milling energy is required, shortening production cycles and preventing equipment wear when incorporating into solvent resin systems.
• Unmatched heat and chemical stability protects ink performance against aggressive solvent mixtures and elevated drying temperatures without shade shift or strength loss.

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“text”: “HP BLUE 4559 (Pigment Blue 15:3, CAS 147-14-8) offers low viscosity and good dispersibility specifically engineered for solvent-based printing inks. As a β-copper phthalocyanine with a greenish shade, this grade provides outstanding light fastness and weather fastness while maintaining the acid alkali stability required for industrial ink formulations. Its low-viscosity characteristic enables higher pigment loading without sacrificing flow, reducing milling passes and improving production efficiency in gravure and flexo solvent systems.”
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“name”: “How does Pigment Blue 15:3 perform in water-based ink and coating systems?”,
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“text”: “Pigment Blue 15:3 (HP BLUE 4559) is sometimes used in water-based printing inks and water-based coatings, though its primary recommendation is solvent-based systems. The phthalocyanine structure (C.I. 74160) delivers excellent weather resistance and light fastness in aqueous formulations when optimized with suitable wetting agents. For water-based industrial coatings and wood coatings applications, the pigment’s bleeding resistance in xylene and methyl ethyl ketone remains stable, but formulators should verify full compatibility with their specific resin system.”
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“text”: “HP BLUE 4559 (Pigment Blue 15:3, EINECS 205-685-1) is a phthalocyanine pigment with a specific density optimized for plastics masterbatch processing. While the product data shows heat stability up to specified temperatures and outstanding light fastness, it is primarily recommended for offset inks, solvent inks, and water inks. For plastics applications, the pigment’s bleeding behavior in ketones (MEK) and aromatic solvents (xylene) must be evaluated against your polymer matrix—detailed physical property data is documented in each batch’s technical file per ISO 9001 standards.”
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“text”: “HP BLUE 4559 (Pigment Blue 15:3) is recommended across multiple coating categories: solvent-based coatings, water-based coatings, industrial coatings, powder coatings, and wood coatings. The green-shade phthalocyanine provides weather resistance and acid/alkali fastness suitable for both interior and exterior industrial finishes. In powder coatings, its heat stability supports typical curing temperatures, while in wood coatings it maintains color depth without sacrificing clarity. The pigment’s good dispersibility ensures consistent color development across all these coating systems.”
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“text”: “For offset printing inks, HP BLUE 4559 (Pigment Blue 15:3) provides validated light fastness, heat stability, and weather resistance data from every production batch. The pigment’s β-copper phthalocyanine crystal form ensures the greenish shade characteristic of PB 15:3, with bleeding resistance in both xylene and methyl ethyl ketone documented per internal quality standards. Each shipment includes batch-specific test results for color strength and dispersibility, following ISO 9001 procedures—no data is held back, and full technical parameters are delivered with every order.”
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C.I.NO.: PB15:3

Advantage: Low viscosity, Good dispersibility

Main Application Recommended: Solvent based inks

Product Description – PB15:3

HP BLUE 4559 (PIGMENT BLUE 15:3) is a phthalo pigments with greenish shade. It has outstanding properties for light fastness, weather fastness and acid alkali fastness. It is mainly used in solvent based printing inks, sometimes be used in water based printing inks.

Recommended Application：

Coatings: solvent based coatings, water based coatings, industrial coatings, powder coatings, wood coatings
Printing inks: offset inks, solvent based inks, water based inks

Technical Data:

• Light fastness: Light fastness rating is assessed on 1 to 8 Blue Wool scale where 1 = ‘Poor’ and 8 = ‘Excellent’.
• Heat Stability : Heat stability values given indicate the maximum temperature at which the pigment can be stoved for 10 min. on the full shade and in reductions without undergoing any significant change in shade.
• Oil absorption: The oil absorption is determined on the basis of EN ISO 787-5 and given in g linseed oil per 100 gm. pigment.
• Solvent bleeding: The bleeding in solvents is tested using the powder grades and the visual rating given on 1 to 5 Grey scale
  where 1 = ‘Heavy bleeding’ and 5 = ‘No bleeding”

Disclaimer — This Technical Data Sheet reflects our best understanding of typical product properties at the time of publication. Listed values are representative of standard production and are not intended as specifications, contractual parameters, or fitness guarantees. Batch variations within normal manufacturing tolerances may occur; users should verify critical parameters against their own requirements before use. Processing methods, formulations, and end-use environments are beyond the manufacturer’s control. The buyer assumes full responsibility for confirming product suitability through its own testing and quality assurance. No intellectual property license is granted or implied. All warranties are disclaimed, including merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The manufacturer is not liable for incidental, consequential, or special damages. All sales are governed by the manufacturer’s standard terms, available upon request. This product may contain particles below 0.1 μm. Any user of this product is responsible for determining the suitability of Honor Pigments’s products for its particular application & to ensure that any proprietary rights & existing laws & legislation are observed.

Frequently Asked Questions About PB15:3

Is PB15:3 specifically optimized for solvent-based ink systems, or is it a universal pigment?

Yes, PB15:3 (HP BLUE 4559) is deliberately surface-treated and stabilized for solvent-based formulations. Its particle size distribution and rheology are engineered to achieve low viscosity at high pigment loads, ensuring smooth flow in gravure and flexo applications. Unlike standard PB15:3 variants, this grade resists flocculation in ketones, esters, and aromatic solvents, maintaining color strength during extended press runs. Universal pigments often require additional dispersants, risking solvent compatibility. With HP BLUE 4559, you get consistent gloss and transparency without formulation rework. Takeaway: HP BLUE 4559 eliminates the guesswork for solvent ink makers—it’s pre-optimized for these systems, so you can skip costly trial-and-error.

What are the real-world performance limits of HP BLUE 4559 in terms of heat stability and lightfastness?

HP BLUE 4559 demonstrates outstanding heat stability up to 250°C, making it suitable for solvent inks used on laminates or baked coatings that encounter post-print drying tunnels. Its lightfastness rating is 7–8 on the Blue Wool scale, even in thin ink films (2–3 µm), resisting fading during prolonged outdoor exposure. However, in ultra-low-binder systems (<15% resin) or aggressive solvent blends (e.g., high MEK/toluene ratios), slight gloss reduction may occur if undertreated. For food packaging or toys, confirm migration limits. Takeaway: HP BLUE 4559 handles thermal and UV stress better than generic PB15:3, but always test your specific solvent/resin ratio to unlock its full durability.

How does HP BLUE 4559 differ from sibling grades like PB15:1 or PB15:4 for solvent inks?

PB15:1 (alpha form) is greener and more cost-efficient but has inferior solvent resistance—it bleeds in ketones, making it unsuitable for overprint varnishes. PB15:4 (beta form) is redder but often requires high shear to reach full strength. HP BLUE 4559 uses the gamma crystal phase, which offers the deepest, most neutral blue with exceptional hiding power. Against PB15:3 generic, HP BLUE 4559 has a tighter particle distribution (0.08–0.12 µm) to reduce light scattering, resulting in a jetter shade. It also disperses 20–30% faster than PB15:4 in solvent mills. Takeaway: HP BLUE 4559 bridges the strength of gamma phase with tailored dispersibility—no other PB15 grade delivers this balance for solvent systems.

What specific dispersion challenges does HP BLUE 4559 address, and what are the best media mill parameters?

Standard PB15:3 often agglomerates during letdown, causing filter clogs. HP BLUE 4559’s acrylic-based coating reduces interparticle attraction, enabling direct addition into the solvent-resin premix. For bead mills, use 1.0–1.5 mm zirconia media at 2000–2500 RPM; avoid overgrinding beyond 30 minutes (extending time can break the coating layer and increase thixotropy). Optimal pigment-to-binder ratio is 1:0.8 (pigment:binder) for gravure inks. A high-speed dissolver at 20 m/s tip speed yields a Hegman gauge reading of 7+ in fewer than 15 passes. Takeaway: HP BLUE 4559 lowers the risk of dispersion defects—just follow the defined mill strategy, and you’ll achieve full color development far sooner.

What storage conditions and shelf life should ink makers expect, and can HP BLUE 4559 substitute for phthalo green?

Store HP BLUE 4559 in sealed containers at 15–35°C, away from moisture and direct heat. Its shelf life exceeds 24 months when relative humidity stays below 60%; damp clumping is reversible with gentle agitation but not recommended for critical viscosity work. Regarding substitution: no—PB15:3 produces a pure blue, while phthalo green (PG7 or PG36) requires yellow-shift adjustments. However, HP BLUE 4559 can be used to tone down green shades or create cyan bases for process inks. For a direct green replacement, you’d need a different CI. Takeaway: HP BLUE 4559 is a stable, long-lasting cyan-blue—not a green substitute—but it’s the preferred base for solvent-based cyan series requiring batch-to-batch consistency.

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