How is thermochromatic rainbow paint made?

[sauroman1]

I'm curious how thermochromatic paint is made that has many changing colors corresponding to different temperatures? Read that liquid crystals are used but they same as in LCD displays or it's somekind another chemical?

 

[anorlunda]

What research have you done so far?

For example, have you read this? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermochromism

 

[sauroman1]

What it could. I checked Wikipedia. These are liquids crystals but I have no idea what chemicals used and where to find them. That's why I'm hoping learn something from experts.

 

[f95toli]

A liquid crystals IS a type of chemical. It is basically -as the name implies- a liquid (with some short range order, hence the "crystal") with very interesting optical properties.
Hence, the answer to your question is that you buy them from suppliers of chemicals. If you go to e.g. the Sigma-Aldrich website and search for "liquid crystals" you will get lots of hits.
Note that the chemical formulas for the C that are used commercially tend to be proprietary, i.e. you can't buy them and the manufacturer won't tell you how to make them.

 

[sauroman1]

Anybody tried extracting liquid crystals from LCD displays? I do have defective PC LCD display from which I plan to get polarizer film and maybe make lamp from backlight, it would be great if I could make as well thermochromatic paint from display.

 

[anorlunda]

I see several LCD sheets, and also thermochromatic paint sold on amazon.

 

[sauroman1]

I can't find liquid crystal based paints in online shops. I mean thermochromatic not those with just two colors but LC which have beautiful rainbow colors corresponding to minute temperature changes.

 

[anorlunda]

I can't find liquid crystal based paints in online shops. I mean thermochromatic not those with just two colors but LC which have beautiful rainbow colors corresponding to minute temperature changes.

I'm not pushing Amazon, but here are some things I found easily.

• ThermoChromic Temperature Activated Pigment that changes at 88⁰F (31 ⁰C)
• Thermochromic Pigment - 6 Color Pods - Heat Activated

To get a rainbow of colors from minute temperature changes, you would have to experiment. Put on your artistic experimenter's hat.