Practical Methods for Determining the Tinting Strength of Pigments in Concrete

The tinting strength of the pigments used to colour concrete products such as pavers and roof tiles is of particular significance. Pigments with high tinting strength will create a more intense colour than those with lower tinting strength, even if the same quantities are used. This means that smaller amounts of the pigments with high tinting strength are needed to create a certain colour intensity. Colorimetry makes it possible to measure tinting strength under practical conditions in the laboratory. To ensure the accuracy of the colorimetric measurements, the concrete surfaces should be as homogeneous as possible and completely free from efflorescence. The method described in this paper makes this possible and is an interesting complement to standard methods used to measure tinting strength in building materials.