PIGMENT RED 48:2/ HP RED 23124J

What Is PR48:2 / HP RED 23124J

CAS 7023-61-2, CI 15865:2, PR48:2 is a Monoazo Lake pigment of the BONA calcium salt type. This bluish-red (ruby) shade is noticeably bluer than PR48:1 and PR48:4, yet distinctly yellower than PR57:1. It carries two acidic functions—sulfonic acid and carboxylic acid groups—giving it strong chemical resistance. The calcium salt laking provides good migration resistance, especially in plasticized PVC applications. The barium lake structure provides excellent opacity and consistent batch-to-batch color reproducibility.

Why Choose HP RED 23124J

HP RED 23124J is formulated as a toner-grade pigment, delivering maximum color strength and transparency for high-performance printing applications. Its Toners classification means it is optimized for let-down into clear bases without fillers, producing vivid, deep ruby-reds ideal for packaging and publication gravure inks. The calcium salt structure ensures excellent heat stability and solvent resistance during extended press runs. Compared to PR53:1, this grade offers superior lightfastness across most end-uses while maintaining a lower tinctorial strength that gives printers better control over shade consistency. It is adopted as the standard process red for gravure packaging inks in key markets, making it the preferred choice when bluer red shades are required. With no sibling grades to confuse selection, HP RED 23124J provides a predictable, repeatable toner base for ink formulations demanding high migration resistance and clean color.

Key Features

• The BONA calcium salt chemistry provides exceptional migration resistance in plasticized PVC formulations used for long-term outdoor labels and flexible packaging.
• Its specific acid-group arrangement (sulfonic plus carboxylic) allows stable pigment dispersion in both solvent-based and water-based ink systems without flocculation.
• HP RED 23124J delivers a distinct, clean ruby shade that is measurably bluer than PR48:1 and PR48:4, enabling precise color matching in process red builds.
• As a toner-grade product, it maintains high transparency and low binder demand, allowing ink makers to adjust viscosity without sacrificing color intensity.
• It demonstrates superior lightfastness to PR53:1 across most application conditions, making it suitable for extended shelf-life packaging where UV exposure is a concern.

What Is PR48:2 / HP RED 23124J

CAS 7023-61-2, CI 15865:2, PR48:2 is a Monoazo Lake produced as the calcium salt of BONA (β-hydroxynaphthoic acid). This bluish-red (ruby) shade pigment is noticeably yellower than PR57:1 but bluer than PR48:1 and PR48:4. Featuring both sulfonic acid and carboxylic acid groups, it offers good migration resistance in plasticized PVC. In many markets, it serves as the standard process red for gravure packaging inks and is compatible with all printing ink types. While its tinctorial strength is lower than PR53:1, it delivers better lightfastness than PR53:1 across most applications.

Why Choose HP RED 23124J

HP RED 23124J is a toner-grade PR48:2 designed for applications requiring maximum color strength and clean, intense ruby shades in solvent-based systems. As a Toner grade, it contains no extenders or diluents, making it ideal for high-concentration ink formulations where purity and vibrancy are critical. This grade excels in gravure and flexographic packaging inks, particularly when printing on treated polyethylene and polypropylene films. Choose HP RED 23124J when you need a blue-red that maintains its distinct hue without shifting toward the yellower PR48:4 or the slightly duller PR48:1. Since this pigment has no direct sibling grades, it stands alone as the optimal choice for formulators seeking the specific bluish-red character and migration resistance required in demanding food packaging and industrial printing applications.

Key Features

• Calcium BONA lake structure provides excellent heat stability and bleed resistance in plasticized vinyl systems.
• Higher color saturation and gloss compared to extended lake pigments due to its toner-grade purity.
• Maintains clean ruby shade across varied substrate types including coated paper, film, and foil.
• Delivers superior lightfastness versus PR53:1, enabling longer shelf life for printed packaging.
• Offers reliable dispersion properties in both solvent-based and water-based gravure ink formulations.

C.I.NO.: PR48:2

Advantage:

Main Application Recommended: Toners

Product description – PR48:2

HP RED 23124J (PIGMENT RED 48:2) is is a bluish red pigment exhibiting high color strength, good dispersibility and fastness properties. It is recommended for injection moulding, extrusion, film blowing, PP fibre applications and toners.

Recommended Application：

PLastics: PP, PE, PVC, PS/SAN, Rubber/ TPV, SBC, TPO, TPU
Printing inks: water based inks, toners

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”

Technical Note — The data and recommendations provided are based on HONOR Pigment’s internal testing and manufacturing experience. They are offered in good faith to assist customers in evaluating product suitability for their specific applications. As processing conditions, formulations, and end-use requirements vary widely, customers should conduct their own validation under actual use conditions. HONOR Pigment makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy of this information or its fitness for any particular purpose. Nothing herein shall be construed as a license or recommendation to infringe any patent. HONOR Pigment’s standard terms and conditions of sale apply.oduct contains particles < 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 PR48:2 / HP RED 23124J

1. What specific applications is HP RED 23124J (PR48:2) best suited for?

HP RED 23124J is a high-performance organic pigment specifically engineered for toner formulations, particularly in laser printers and copiers. Its primary niche is producing vibrant, deep red shades with excellent transparency, making it ideal for color toner blends where a clean, bright red is required. Unlike some inorganic reds, PR48:2 offers a strong tinting strength, allowing for efficient use in low concentrations. It is particularly favored in HP-compatible toner cartridges due to its reliable electrostatic charge stability and consistent color output across print runs. For applications demanding high color saturation and lightfastness in dry toner systems, this pigment delivers superior results compared to standard PR48:2 variants without surface treatment.

2. What are the key performance limitations of PR48:2 in toner applications?

While PR48:2 (HP RED 23124J) offers excellent color strength, it does have specific limitations. The primary concern is its thermal stability: prolonged exposure to temperatures above 200°C can cause slight color shift or degradation, which is critical in high-speed fusing processes. Additionally, PR48:2 can exhibit sensitivity to humidity, potentially affecting triboelectric charging properties in toners if not properly formulated with optimized charge control agents. Its lightfastness, while good for interior prints, is moderate—not ideal for outdoor-durable applications. Finally, its dispersibility requires careful attention during toner manufacturing; inadequate wetting or over-milling can lead to reduced chromaticity and uneven print density.

3. How does HP RED 23124J differ from standard PR48:2 or PR48:3?

HP RED 23124J is a surface-treated variant of CI Pigment Red 48:2 (CAS 7023-61-2), optimized specifically for laser toner. The key difference lies in its proprietary coating. Standard PR48:2 often has high oil absorption and poor charge control, leading to toner dusting and inconsistent prints. PR48:3 (the calcium salt of the same dye) offers better heat resistance but lower color intensity. HP RED 23124J strikes a balance: the surface treatment improves its triboelectric charging stability, reduces moisture sensitivity, and enhances flowability during toner compounding. This makes it outperform untreated PR48:2 in high-speed printers and surpass PR48:3 in color vibrancy, though at a slightly higher cost per kilogram.

4. What are the critical processing considerations when formulating toners with PR48:2?

Formulating with HP RED 23124J requires precise control of dispersion conditions. The pigment should be pre-dispersed using a masterbatch approach to avoid agglomerates, as poor dispersion leads to “toner dust” and print defects. Optimal loading typically ranges from 2% to 6% by weight, depending on desired red saturation. The processing temperature during melt-mixing must stay below 180°C to preserve color purity. Additionally, the choice of charge control agent is critical—cationic agents like quaternary ammonium salts complement PR48:2’s anionic surface treatment for stable negative charging. Always conduct a triboelectric charge test (q/m ratio) before full-scale production to ensure compatibility with your resin system.

5. How should HP RED 23124J be stored, and can it be substituted with other pigments?

HP RED 23124J should be stored in a cool, dry environment (< 30°C, < 60% RH) in sealed containers to prevent moisture absorption and caking. Shelf life is typically 3 years under these conditions. If unavailable, direct substitution is difficult due to its proprietary surface treatment. However, in non-critical applications, untreated PR48:2 plus an external charge additive (e.g., 1% hydrophobic silica) can mimic its performance, though color and charge stability may degrade. For a more red-orange shade, PR53:1 can be considered, but expect lower lightfastness. For deeper magenta tones, PR57:1 is a common alternative. Always verify color gamut, thermal stability, and toner flow before substitution.

Takeaway: HP RED 23124J is a specialized, surface-treated PR48:2 pigment that delivers superior color vibrancy and electrostatic stability for high-performance toner formulations, requiring careful processing but offering unmatched red saturation in HP-compatible systems.