PIGMENT RED 48:2/ HP RED 2598
Pigments for Coatings & Paints · Pigments For Industrial Coatings · Pigments For Offset Inks · Pigments for Printing Inks
Technical Information
Technical Information
What Is Pigment Red 48:2
Pigment Red 48:2 (CAS 7023-61-2, CI 15865:2) is a monoazo lake pigment based on BONA (beta-oxynaphthoic acid) precipitated as the calcium salt. Its molecular structure carries two acidic functionalities—a sulfonic acid group and a carboxylic acid group—which are neutralized by calcium to form the insoluble lake. This CI standard yields a bluish-red (ruby) shade that sits between the yellower PR48:4 and the distinctly yellower PR48:1, yet remains noticeably yellower than the calcium lake PR57:1. It offers good migration resistance in plasticized PVC and is stable against blooming in plasticized formulations.
Why Choose HP RED 2598
HP RED 2598 is specifically engineered for solvent-based gravure packaging inks, where high gloss and low viscosity are critical. While standard PR48:2 grades can serve general-purpose printing, HP RED 2598’s optimized particle size distribution and surface treatment deliver a markedly higher gloss level—essential for premium packaging where visual impact drives brand impression. Its low-viscosity rheology ensures trouble-free transfer at high press speeds, reducing solvent demand and improving dot sharpness in fine screens. In markets where PR48:2 has been adopted as a standard process red for gravure packaging, this grade meets the exacting shade and transparency requirements. Compared to sibling grades like PR48:1 or PR48:4, HP RED 2598 offers the bluest, cleanest ruby tone for solvent-based ink systems, making it the preferred choice when a vivid, non-yellowing red is required on coated paper or film substrates.
Key Features
- Delivers high gloss in solvent-based gravure inks, enhancing package shelf appeal without overloading binder or resin.
- Formulated for low viscosity at high pigment loadings, enabling faster press speeds and reduced solvent retention in the dried film.
- Provides excellent transparency in NC-based ink systems, allowing deep, rich overprints and clean color builds in process red applications.
- Maintains stable dispersion in aliphatic and aromatic solvent blends, preventing flocculation or settling during storage and printing.
- Offers reliable migration resistance in flexible packaging films, meeting food-contact safety limits when used in approved formulations.
Recommended Applications
Primary: Solvent-based gravure inks for flexible packaging (polyethylene, polypropylene, PET) and paper/board, especially where NC (nitrocellulose) resins are employed.
Secondary: Publication gravure inks and solvent-based screen inks. For offset or water-based systems, consider PR48:1 (yellower, stronger) or PR48:4 (more yellow, better heat stability) depending on target shade and print process.
Technical Data:
| Product Information | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Type | Azo | CAS NO. | 7023-61-2 | |
| C. I. Name | Pigment Red 48:2 | EINECS / ELINCS NO. | 230-303-5 | |
| C. I. Constitution No. | 15865:2 | Chemical Formula | C18H11ClN2O6SCa | |
| Technical Performance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Shade | Tint | |||
| Full Shade | Tint | |||
| Weather Resistance | 4-5 | 3 | Heat Stability °C | 220°C |
| Light Fastness | 7 | 6 | ||
| Physical Properties | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Form | Powder | Resistance to Acid | 5 | |
| Specific Density (g/cm3): | 1.70 ± 0.1 | Resistance to Alkali | 3~4 | |
| Specific Surface(㎡/g): | 58 | |||
| Oil Absorption | 65 | |||
| pH Value | 6.5 -8.5 | |||
| Volatile Matter | 1% max | |||
| Packaging | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25kgs/bag 400kgs/Pallet | ||||
| Storage Shelf Life 5 years | ||||
| Should be stored in cool, dry and ventilate place. |
| TRANSPORTATION | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avoid inversion, sunlight, moisture and crash. Avoid damage the package. |
- 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 Pigment Red 48:2
1. What makes HP RED 2598 different from standard Pigment Red 48:2 grades?
Standard PR48:2 (CAS 7023-61-2, CI 15865:2) is a versatile red used across printing. HP RED 2598 is a specific grade optimized for solvent-based gravure packaging inks. Its particle surface has been treated to achieve higher gloss and lower viscosity than commodity PR48:2 products. While both share the same CI and chemical backbone (monoazo calcium lake from BONA), HP RED 2598’s finishing process reduces agglomerate formation, giving cleaner dispersion and better flow in low-viscosity NC resin solutions. This makes it ideal for high-speed gravure presses where standard grades might sacrifice gloss or show shear-thinning problems.
2. Is HP RED 2598 suitable for water-based ink systems?
HP RED 2598 is primarily designed for solvent-based gravure inks (e.g., ethanol, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate). In water-based systems, the calcium salt structure of PR48:2 (CAS 7023-61-2) can be sensitive to pH shifts and may show decreased color strength or flocculation. For water-based flexo or gravure, we recommend a grade of PR48:3 (strontium salt) or PR48:4 (manganese salt), which offer better hydrolysis resistance and higher heat stability. If you must use PR48:2 in water, consult our technical team for adjusted resin and surfactant systems.
3. How does the tinctorial strength of PR48:2 compare with other common red pigments?
Pigment Red 48:2 (CI 15865:2) has lower tinctorial strength than PR53:1 (Lake Red C) but higher than many alternatives like PR57:1 (Rubine) or PR48:1. In gravure packaging inks printed in HP RED 2598, you can expect a clean, bluish-red shade that builds opacity efficiently at moderate loadings (8–12% pigment by weight). For applications where maximum strength is critical (e.g., very thin films), blending with a small amount of PR53:1 can boost color depth without significantly shifting the ruby hue.
4. What chemical limitations does the calcium lake structure impose?
As a calcium salt of BONA, PR48:2 (CAS 7023-61-2) is stable in most organic solvent systems commonly used in gravure inks (esters, alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons). However, it can be sensitive to strong acids (below pH 4) and strong alkalis (above pH 9), which may cause partial dissociation or shade shift. HP RED 2598 shows good resistance to plasticizer migration in PVC and polyolefin films, making it suitable for flexible packaging. Avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures above 180°C, where the calcium lake may begin to darken or lose gloss.
5. Can I use HP RED 2598 as a process red for four-color gravure printing?
Yes. In many markets, PR48:2 (CI 15865:2) has been adopted as the standard process red for gravure packaging inks, especially in Europe and Asia. HP RED 2598’s bluish-red shade (slightly bluer than PR48:1, but yellower than PR57:1) provides a neutral red suitable for the process color gamut when paired with a clean yellow (e.g., PY13 or PY83) and a greenish blue (PB15:3). Its transparency in NC-based inks allows crisp overprints, and the low viscosity ensures consistent dot gain across the press cylinder. For proofing, we recommend testing against your current process red standard, as minute shade differences may require reformulation of the yellow and black separations.