We have conducted an example by pigmenting different materials using the same color reference and the same dosage based on the weight of the cement to analyze the factors that must be considered to achieve the desired color with cement, mortar, and concrete.
1 · Type of Cement
Different types of cement can interact differently with pigments and affect the final color. White cement produces cleaner and brighter colors compared to gray cement, due to its lighter base. Gray cement will always slightly darken the final tone, depending on the shade of the base gray.
2 · Dosage
The pigment dosage is related to the amount of cement in the mix. Depending on the dosage, the color will be more intense or softer. In this case, the pigment dosage relative to the cement is the same in all samples, but for example, mortar, which contains much more sand, significantly lightens the final tone.
3 · Aggregates
Depending on the type of aggregates used in the mix, the final result can be slightly lighter or darker. It is important to choose the appropriate aggregates for each specific application to achieve the desired material performance.
4 · Water
Maintaining an appropriate water-to-cement ratio is crucial for achieving consistent color results.
5 · Curing and Environmental Conditions
Factors such as temperature and humidity during the curing process can influence how the final color develops and sets in pigmented cement.
All these factors must be considered to achieve the desired color tone. In the image, we can see all the color tests performed with different materials using the same pigment reference, and clear color differences are noticeable. For any inquiries about pigmentation in cement, mortar, and concrete, feel free to contact Serra Ciments, and we will guide you through all these aspects to achieve the best color result for your project.