Concrete pigments are insoluble mineral oxides and carbon that color the cement paste through the full depth of the concrete, dosed by mass of cement up to the 10 % ceiling of ASTM C979/C979M-24. Which pigment, how much and which standard does a colored mix need?
The trade calls the same material integral color, concrete colorant or liquid color, and UK usage says concrete colour or oxide colour; colored concrete is the result. Concrete Decor estimated US colored concrete demand in 2003 at over 3.06 million m³ (4 million yd³) a year, about 1 % of US production. Integral pigments are one of four families of concrete additives, with chemical admixtures, SCMs and fibers.
Iron oxides give the reds, yellows, blacks and browns, titanium dioxide the whites, chromium(III) oxide the greens and carbon black the deepest blacks. A vendor guide doses 1 to 5 % by mass of cementitious material and finds synthetic iron oxide saturating near 7 % by mass of cement. ASTM C979/C979M-16 required at least 90 % of the control's 28-day strength at the maximum dose, and EN 12878:2014 tests pigments at 5.0 % of cement mass (2.0 % for carbon black) with stricter Category B limits for reinforced concrete. Shade also depends on water, cement and curing, so samples are judged at 28 days.
What Are Concrete Pigments?#
A concrete pigment is a finely divided, insoluble colorant, such as an iron oxide, titanium dioxide, chromium(III) oxide or carbon black, mixed into the batch so that the cement paste carries the color. The pigment is not dissolved, and no chemical effect on cement hydration is intended.
Can concrete be pigmented? Yes: concrete takes integral color within the dose cap of ASTM C979/C979M-24, which limits the maximum prescribed dosage to 10 % by mass of cement (9.4 lb per 94 lb sack). For blends, the total may not exceed the maximum of any single component (ASTM C979/C979M-24, 1.4).
Integrally colored concrete through the full depth#
Integrally colored concrete is concrete whose color is part of the cement paste throughout the section, not a layer applied to the surface. A scratch, a saw cut or a chipped edge shows the same color as the face.
Only the paste carries the color, because the pigment coats cement particles and hydrates while the aggregate stays uncolored and dilutes the shade. Sand fines therefore count among the variables that shift the shade at a fixed pigment dose.
Coloring admixture, pigment or addition: how ACI and ASTM name them#
ACI PRC-212.3-16 lists coloring admixtures in Table 1.2, naming carbon black, iron oxide, phthalocyanine, raw burnt umber, chromium oxide and titanium dioxide. The report, ACI PRC-212.3-16 (formerly 212.3R-16), was published by ACI in 2016 and runs to 76 pages.
ASTM uses the word pigment: ASTM C979/C979M-24 covers colored and white pigments in powder form and also the pigment portion of multicomponent admixtures, and C979/C979M-24 tests with Type I or Type II cement. Coloring is one row of the ACI table; the other chemical families are listed under concrete admixtures.
How Do Pigments Color Concrete?#
Pigments color concrete by coating cement grains and hydration products with insoluble particles, so the paste takes the color while the aggregate dilutes it; no chemical effect on hydration is intended. Color strength rises with dose until the paste saturates.
Paste coating and dilution by aggregate#
Dry pigment arrives as agglomerates of 20 to 150 µm that mixing must break down (Dunnous 1996). Primary particles are far smaller: Dunnous (1996) reports 0.1 to 1.0 µm, while Chusid (2004) reports 0.05 to 0.10 µm, and the two values come from different measurements.
How much of the color does the mixer develop? Dunnous (1996) found that dry pigment develops 70 to 90 % of its color strength in concrete mixers. The full shade appears only when mixing breaks the agglomerates down.
Why color stops deepening at saturation#
Color deepens with dose only up to a saturation point, beyond which more pigment adds fines and cost but little color. Three sources place that point differently, each on its own basis.
A vendor guide finds synthetic iron oxide saturating near 7 % and natural iron oxide near 10 % by mass of cement. Dunnous (1996) reports maximum coloration at 8 to 12 parts per 100 parts cement by mass, with a practical limit of 6 to 8 %. Chusid (2004) puts saturation at about 5 to 6 lb per 94 lb sack of cement (5.3 to 6.4 % by mass), and notes that 0.5 lb per sack (0.53 %) already gives a pronounced color.
Powder, granules and liquid color#
Concrete pigments come in three forms, listed below.
- Powder: dry pigment, the form ASTM C979/C979M-24 covers directly.
- Granules: dry pigment in granulated form.
- Liquid color: pigment as a liquid slurry.
A vendor guide reports liquid color in US use for over 30 years and granules for about 20 years. EN 12878:2014 states its test dose as solids by mass of cement, so the as-supplied dose of a liquid color and its pigment-solids dose are two different numbers; an order names which one it uses.
Types of Concrete Pigments by Chemistry and Color#
Concrete pigments fall into four chemistries by color: iron oxides for reds, yellows, blacks, browns and buffs, titanium dioxide for white and pastels, chromium(III) oxide for green, and carbon black for deep black. Cobalt and phthalocyanine pigments add blues and bright greens.
Table 1 compares the pigment types by color, identity, ACI listing, EN 12878 test dose and relative cost.
| Pigment | Colors | Identity | ACI PRC-212.3-16 Table 1.2 (coloring) | EN 12878:2014 test dose | Relative cost (vendor guide) | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron oxides | red, yellow, black; browns and buffs as blends | red Fe2O3 CAS 1309-37-1; yellow FeO(OH) CAS 51274-00-1; black Fe3O4 CAS 1317-61-9 | iron oxide; raw burnt umber | 5.0 % | baseline (synthetic) | iron oxide pigments for concrete |
| Titanium dioxide | white; pastels with white cement | CAS 13463-67-7, EC 236-675-5 | titanium dioxide | 5.0 % | 25 to 50 % more | titanium dioxide in concrete |
| Chromium(III) oxide | green | CAS 1308-38-9, EC 215-160-9, C.I. Pigment Green 17 | chromium oxide | 5.0 % | 3 to 5 times | chromium(III) oxide green for concrete |
| Carbon black | deep black | CAS 1333-86-4, EC 215-609-9, C.I. Pigment Black 7 | carbon black | 2.0 % | not recorded | section below |
| Phthalocyanine blue and green | blue, bright green | organic pigments | phthalocyanine | 2.0 % | not recorded | none |
Doses are % by mass of cement; the substances behind these pigments are compared under concrete additive chemistry.
Iron oxides: reds, yellows, blacks and blended browns#
Iron oxide pigments are three substances, red Fe2O3, yellow FeO(OH) and black Fe3O4, and browns and buffs are blends of them. Each of the three has its own CAS number; the blends have none.
Dunnous (1996) gives the blend logic: buff is yellow plus red, orange is red plus yellow, light brown is equal parts red, yellow and black, and dark brown is more than 50 % black. Natural iron oxides are less than 2 % of US iron oxide pigment imports (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026), so more than 98 % of imports are synthetic. A vendor guide adds that synthetic yellow iron oxide and burnt umber do not pass ASTM C979 above 7 % addition.
White: titanium dioxide and white cement#
Titanium dioxide is the white pigment for concrete, used with white cement for white or pastel concrete. A pigment maker's brochure shows why the cement matters: yellow changes very strongly between gray and white cement, red and dark brown change a little, and black shows practically no difference.
A vendor guide puts titanium dioxide at 25 to 50 % more than synthetic iron oxide. Photocatalytic surfaces belong to the titanium dioxide entry rather than to integral color.
Green and blue: chromium(III) oxide, cobalt and phthalocyanines#
Chromium(III) oxide is the green pigment for concrete, a trivalent chromium compound that is not the chromium(VI) limited in cement by REACH Annex XVII entry 47. EN 12878:2014 also covers phthalocyanine blue and green and tests them, as organic pigments, at 2.0 % of cement mass. A vendor guide puts chromium(III) oxide at 3 to 5 times and cobalt blue at up to 30 times the cost of synthetic iron oxide.
Carbon black: tint strength and entrained air#
Carbon black has 2 to 5 times the tinting strength of black iron oxide, and it can adsorb air-entraining admixture and lower the air content (PCA, quoted in Concrete Decor). EN 12878:2014 tests carbon black at 2.0 % of cement mass instead of the 5.0 % used for inorganic oxides.
Fine furnace carbon black grades of about 56 to 67 nm can escape through large capillary pores of 50 to 10,000 nm, according to a carbon black producer's bulletin, so carbon black can weather out of exterior concrete. A carbon black mix for exterior work is therefore trial-batched for both shade and air: dose and verify air with the air-entraining admixtures used in the mix.
What Do Pigments Change in Fresh and Hardened Concrete?#
Pigments are meant to change only the color: no chemical effect on hydration is intended, and the pigment specifications cap their effects on strength, setting, air content and water demand. Efflorescence and outdoor stability are the two visible exceptions a producer manages.
Table 2 sets standard requirements apart from literature and vendor findings.
| Property | Condition | Value | Source type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28-day compressive strength | at maximum dose | at least 90 % of control; w/c at most 110 % of control | standard requirement, ASTM C979/C979M-16 |
| Time of setting | against control | not more than 1 h earlier or 1.5 h later | standard requirement, ASTM C979/C979M-16 |
| Air content (air content tests) | same air-entraining admixture dose | change at most 1.0 point | standard requirement, ASTM C979/C979M-16 |
| Setting (EN) | 5.0 % test dose | initial set at least 60 min and within 60 min of control; final set at most 720 min and within 120 min | standard requirement, EN 12878:2014 |
| Mortar strength (Category B) | 28 days | loss at most 8 % | standard requirement, EN 12878:2014 |
| Color development | dry pigment in mixers | 70 to 90 % of color strength | literature (Dunnous 1996) |
| Strength above 5 % | added fines | may reduce strength; yellow and burnt umber fail C979 above 7 % | vendor guide |
| Efflorescence | on colored concrete | more visible | pigment maker's guidance |
Setting time, strength and water demand#
ASTM C979/C979M-16 required at least 90 % of the control's 28-day strength at maximum dosage, with a w/c at most 110 % of the control. Set could move no more than 1 h earlier or 1.5 h later, and total sulfates and water-soluble matter were capped at 5.0 % and 2.0 % of the pigment mass. EN 12878:2014 sets its own limits on mortar at the 5.0 % test dose: initial set at least 60 min and within 60 min of the control, final set at most 720 min and within 120 min.
Water demand and strength move with the fines a pigment adds. The vendor guide behind the 1 to 5 % range advises against more than 5 % because the extra fines may reduce strength, and reports that synthetic yellow iron oxide and burnt umber do not pass ASTM C979 above 7 % addition. A pigmented mix gets its own trial batch, and set is measured as described under setting time of concrete.
Efflorescence and outdoor color stability#
Efflorescence is more visible on colored concrete, according to a pigment maker's guidance. The same guidance states that its iron oxide and chromium oxide green pigments have no influence on whether efflorescence occurs.
Outdoor stability is a test item: ASTM C979/C979M-24 tests water wettability, alkali resistance, sulfates, water solubility, atmospheric curing stability, light resistance, setting time, air content and strength. Fine carbon black grades remain the recorded exception, since they can escape through large capillary pores in exterior concrete.
Concrete Pigment Dosage: Ranges, Saturation and Dose Basis#
Concrete pigments are dosed as a percentage of cement mass: a vendor guide range is 1 to 5 % by mass of cementitious material, and ASTM C979/C979M-24 caps the prescribed dose at 10 % by mass of cement. The cap equals 9.4 lb per 94 lb sack.
Pastels need 0.25 to 0.75 % by mass of cement, and doses below 1 % are hard to keep consistent, according to the same vendor guide. A pigment maker's brochure (2017) states that going beyond 5 % by mass of cement is normally not necessary. The dose basis matters: "by mass of cement" and "by mass of cementitious material" give different pigment masses in a mix with fly ash or slag.
Table 3 lists every dose value with its basis and value type.
| Basis | Value | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| % by mass of cement | at most 10 % (9.4 lb per 94 lb sack) | standard requirement, ASTM C979/C979M-24, 1.4 |
| % by mass of cementitious material | 1 to 5 %; pastels 0.25 to 0.75 % of cement | vendor guide range |
| % by mass of cement | saturation near 7 % (synthetic iron oxide), near 10 % (natural) | vendor guide |
| parts per 100 parts cement by mass | maximum coloration 8 to 12; practical limit 6 to 8 % | literature (Dunnous 1996) |
| lb per 94 lb sack of cement | saturation 5 to 6 lb (5.3 to 6.4 %); 0.5 lb (0.53 %) already pronounced | literature (Chusid 2004) |
| % by mass of cement | beyond 5 % normally not necessary | pigment maker's brochure (2017) |
| % solids by mass of cement | 5.0 % inorganic; 2.0 % carbon black and organic | EN 12878:2014 test dose, not a use dose |
A 94 lb sack of cement is 42.6 kg. The final dose is set on samples judged at 28 days.
The worked example below is calculated from the C979/C979M-24 cap and the vendor guide range.
- Input: 350 kg/m³ (590 lb/yd³) of cement at 3 % by mass of cement.
- Result: 10.5 kg/m³ (17.7 lb/yd³) of pigment, or 2.82 lb per 94 lb sack.
- Cap: the ASTM C979/C979M-24 ceiling for the same mix is 35 kg/m³ (59.0 lb/yd³).
Other cement contents and dose bases convert in the admixture dosage calculator.
How much pigment per cubic meter or cubic yard#
A mix with 350 kg/m³ (590 lb/yd³) of cement needs 10.5 kg/m³ (17.7 lb/yd³) of pigment at 3 % by mass of cement, about 2.82 lb per 94 lb sack. Pigment per cubic meter or cubic yard follows the cement content, not the concrete volume: a leaner mix needs less pigment per m³ for the same percentage, and a richer mix more. A per-yard dose quoted without the cement content does not fix the pigment percentage, so a batch ticket states the pigment mass against the cement mass of that mix.
How to Keep Integrally Colored Concrete Consistent#
Integrally colored concrete stays consistent when every load repeats the same pigment dose, water-cement ratio, cement, sand, SCM content, finish texture and curing, because each of these shifts the shade at a fixed dose. Color also changes with age.
Water content, cement shade and SCMs#
Higher water-cement ratios give lighter concrete at the same pigment dose, and water added at the site lightens the color. A pigment maker demonstrates the effect at w/c 0.30, 0.35 and 0.40 with 4 % pigment; limits by exposure and strength are set out under water-cement ratio.
Cement shade matters by color. A pigment maker's brochure reports that black shows practically no difference between gray and white cement, red and dark brown a small one, and yellow a very pronounced one. A buff or yellow job therefore fixes one cement source for the whole pour.
SCMs shift the shade too. Fly ash with high carbon can darken or streak concrete, while slag cement lightens it and may turn it temporarily green (Slag Cement Association). Calcium chloride can cause permanent mottling, light spots on a dark background or the reverse depending on the alkalis, and the effect increases with dose (FHWA-HIF-18-017); see calcium chloride discoloration.
Batching and dispensing color at the plant#
Dry pigment added after the water forms balls. Dunnous (1996) found that dry pigment develops 70 to 90 % of its color strength in concrete mixers, so mixing must break the agglomerates for the full shade.
Ready-mix plants use color dispensing systems. Concrete Decor reported in 2003 a recommended minimum batch of 1.53 m³ (2 yd³), with most producers setting 2.29 m³ (3 yd³), and a system cost of about USD 40,000 (2003). Dosing equipment and haul are covered under admixtures in ready-mix concrete.
Judging color: samples, 28-day age and shade tolerance#
Colored samples are evaluated after 28 days of curing, because concrete lightens as it cures (Concrete Decor). Dunnous (1996) gives a commercial tolerance of ±5 % on pigment strength and undertone, and a tolerance of ±1 % keeps the spread of a blend near 2 %. EN 12878:2014 requires a relative color strength of 100 % ± 5 % against the reference pigment. A sample panel cast with the job materials and cured like the job sets the reference shade before production starts.
Selecting Pigments by Application and Climate#
Three exposure questions decide pigment selection beyond color: reinforcement (EN 12878 Category B), steam curing (outside the C979 scope) and freeze-thaw exposure (carbon black can lower entrained air). Table 5 maps applications to the pigment issue each raises.
| Application | Pigment issue |
|---|---|
| admixtures for precast concrete | stability under steam curing is outside the ASTM C979 scope; the vendor guide keeps precast at or below 5 % by mass of cement |
| dry-cast concrete products (pavers, blocks) | efflorescence is more visible on colored units (pigment maker's guidance); form and dose basis stated in the order |
| Ready-mix flatwork (driveways, floors) | dispenser minimum batch 1.53 m³ (2 yd³) (Concrete Decor, 2003); no water added at the site |
| pervious concrete | integral pigment dosed by cement mass, within the 10 % C979 cap |
| White and pastel architectural concrete | titanium dioxide with white cement |
| Reinforced members | EN 12878 Category B |
| Exterior concrete exposed to freeze-thaw damage | carbon black can adsorb air-entraining admixture and lower air content |
| SCM-rich mixes (supplementary cementitious materials) | high-carbon fly ash can darken; slag cement lightens |
Reinforced or plain concrete: Category A and B#
EN 12878:2014 assigns Category B to pigments for reinforced concrete and Category A to non-reinforced concrete. Category B limits the 28-day mortar strength loss to at most 8 %, water-soluble content to at most 0.5 %, and soluble chloride and total chlorine each to at most 0.10 % by mass. Category A declares values for strength loss, soluble chloride and total chlorine instead of meeting fixed limits.
Steam-cured precast and freeze-thaw exposure#
ASTM C979/C979M-24 excludes pigment stability under low-pressure (atmospheric) or autoclave steam curing, so a precast plant that steam-cures confirms color stability on its own curing cycle. The same specification tests with Type I or Type II cement.
For freeze-thaw exposure, the pigment risk is entrained air. Carbon black can adsorb air-entraining admixture and lower the air content (PCA, quoted in Concrete Decor), and ASTM C979/C979M-16 allowed only a 1.0-point air change at the same admixture dose. Each pigmented air-entrained mix has its air content checked at the plant.
Which Standards Cover Concrete Pigments?#
Two specifications cover concrete pigments in the US and Europe: ASTM C979/C979M-24, which caps the dose at 10 % of cement mass, and EN 12878:2014, which tests pigments at 5.0 % of cement mass. Both test against a control mix.
ASTM C979/C979M-24 is active, updated on 2024-08-07, and supersedes C979/C979M-16. EN 12878:2014 was approved by CEN on 2014-01-04 and supersedes EN 12878:2005; BS EN 12878:2014 was published on 2014-04-30 with no amendments (BSI, checked 2026-10-23). The European standard covers iron oxides and hydroxides with chromium, titanium and manganese oxides, complex inorganic pigments, ultramarine, phthalocyanines, elemental carbon and blends.
Two ACI documents add guidance. ACI/ASCC PRC-310-25, published March 2025, supersedes ACI 310R-19, and its chapter 5.2 covers integral color. ACI PRC-212.3-16 lists coloring admixtures in Table 1.2.
Table 6 lists the documents by region, edition and role.
| Region | Document (edition, status) | Role | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | ASTM C979/C979M-24, active (updated 2024-08-07), supersedes C979/C979M-16 | pigment specification; 10 % cap; tests for wettability, alkali, sulfates, solubility, curing stability, light, set, air, strength | ASTM C979 and EN 12878 pigment requirements |
| US | ASTM C979/C979M-16 (previous edition) | acceptance values for strength, w/c, set, air, sulfates, solubles | none |
| EU | EN 12878:2014 (CEN 2014-01-04), not cited in the Official Journal | Category A and B values | none |
| EU | EN 12878:2005 with EN 12878:2005/AC:2006 | cited harmonised reference under Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 | none |
| UK | BS EN 12878:2014 (2014-04-30, no amendments) | national adoption | none |
| US | ACI PRC-212.3-16 (formerly 212.3R-16), 76 pp. | coloring admixtures, Table 1.2 | ACI 212.3R report on chemical admixtures |
| US | ACI/ASCC PRC-310-25 (March 2025, supersedes 310R-19) | decorative concrete guide, chapter 5.2 integral color | none |
How a pigment is tested against a control mix#
ASTM C979/C979M-16 tested concrete at the maximum dose against a control mix without pigment. Its limits were 28-day strength at least 90 % of the control, w/c at most 110 %, set within 1 h earlier or 1.5 h later, and an air change of at most 1.0 point. EN 12878:2014 tests on mortar at 5.0 % solids by mass of cement, or 2.0 % for carbon black and organic pigments. Relative color strength is measured on 10 cm x 10 cm (3.9 in x 3.9 in) mortar blocks at w/c 0.35 under illuminant C or D, with a repeatability of Delta E within 0.5.
C979 does not establish compatibility with other admixtures unless they are tested together (C979, 4.7), so a pigment used with a water reducer or air-entraining admixture is tested in that combination. For pigment preparations, EN 12878:2014 (4.2.3) limits water-soluble additives to at most 5.0 % of the solids, or 8 % for carbon black.
CE marking and the cited European edition#
EN 12878:2014 is not cited in the Official Journal; the cited harmonised reference remains EN 12878:2005 with EN 12878:2005/AC:2006 (EC summary list generated 2026-02-09), because the Commission objected to new thresholds in 4.1.2.2 and 4.2.3. Declarations of performance under Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 references remain valid until withdrawn (Regulation (EU) 2024/3110, Art. 95(3)), and no implementing act had moved pigments as of 2026-10-23.
Safety and Regulatory Status of Concrete Pigments#
Iron oxide red, titanium dioxide, chromium(III) oxide and carbon black have no harmonised CLP Annex VI entry, and none of the four is on the REACH Candidate List (ECHA, checked 2026-10-23). Titanium dioxide and carbon black are listed under California Proposition 65 as airborne, unbound particles of respirable size.
For titanium dioxide, the Carc. 2 entry of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/217 was annulled by the General Court on 2022-11-23, upheld by the Court of Justice on 2025-08-01. Chromium(III) oxide is not the chromium(VI) of the cement limit: REACH Annex XVII entry 47 limits chromium(VI) in cement, not the chromium(III) oxide pigment. Liquid colors and blends carry their own classification, so the product safety data sheet governs each one.
Table 4 gives the hazard line, Candidate List status and Proposition 65 status per pigment substance.
| Substance | CLP hazard line | REACH Candidate List | California Prop 65 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron oxide red (CAS 1309-37-1) | No Annex VI entry; ECHA C&L notified classification: not classified (74.24 % of notifications, REACH joint submission) (ECHA, checked 2026-10-23) | no | not listed |
| Titanium dioxide (CAS 13463-67-7) | No Annex VI entry in force; ECHA C&L notified classification: not classified (86 %) | no | "titanium dioxide (airborne, unbound particles of respirable size)", cancer, listed 2011-09-02 |
| Chromium(III) oxide (CAS 1308-38-9) | No Annex VI entry; ECHA C&L notified classification: not classified (60.29 % of notifications, REACH joint submission) | no | not listed as such; only chromium (hexavalent compounds) |
| Carbon black (CAS 1333-86-4) | No Annex VI entry; see the product safety data sheet for its notified classification | no | "carbon black (airborne, unbound particles of respirable size)", cancer, listed 2003-02-21 |
| Liquid colors and blends | see the product safety data sheet | n/a | n/a |
Complete List of Concrete Pigment Classes#
EN 12878:2014 covers iron oxides and hydroxides, chromium, titanium and manganese oxides, complex inorganic pigments, ultramarine, phthalocyanines, elemental carbon and blends, and ACI PRC-212.3-16 names six coloring materials. Table 7 sets the two lists side by side.
| # | Pigment class (EN 12878:2014 scope) | Named in ACI PRC-212.3-16 Table 1.2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iron oxides and hydroxides | yes (iron oxide; raw burnt umber) |
| 2 | Chromium oxides | yes (chromium oxide) |
| 3 | Titanium oxides | yes (titanium dioxide) |
| 4 | Manganese oxides | no |
| 5 | Complex inorganic pigments | no |
| 6 | Ultramarine | no |
| 7 | Phthalocyanine blue and green | yes (phthalocyanine) |
| 8 | Elemental carbon | yes (carbon black) |
| 9 | Blends | no |
Classes as listed in the scope of EN 12878:2014; ACI materials as listed in ACI PRC-212.3-16 Table 1.2.
Pigment quotes compare when each names the color or blend, the form (powder, granules or liquid) with its dose basis, and the conformity document: an ASTM C979 test report or an EN 12878 declaration of performance with Category A or B. Comparing supplier data sheets and declarations is explained under concrete admixture manufacturers and suppliers.
When Is Integral Color Not the Right Choice?#
Integral color is not the only route to colored concrete: white portland cement with light aggregates and colored or exposed aggregate change the appearance without pigment, and surface-applied color is a separate product class. The two pigment-free alternatives are listed below.
- White portland cement plus light aggregates.
- Colored or exposed aggregate.
Surface-applied color, such as color hardeners and stains, is a different product class and is not covered here. Pigments in paints and coatings are a separate use and are not covered here.
Does integral colored concrete fade?#
Integral color sits in the cement paste through the whole section rather than in a surface layer, and ASTM C979 tests pigments for light resistance, alkali resistance and atmospheric curing stability. Fine furnace carbon black grades are the recorded exception outdoors: a carbon black producer's bulletin reports that particles of about 56 to 67 nm can escape through large capillary pores. Concrete also lightens as it cures (Concrete Decor), so a shade judged before 28 days reads darker than the finished color.
What is the best pigment for concrete?#
The best pigment is the one with an ASTM C979 test report or an EN 12878 declaration of performance for the required color and exposure. For reinforced work, that means EN 12878 Category B; for exterior freeze-thaw exposure, a checked air content on any carbon black mix.
Is colored concrete expensive?#
Iron oxide is the baseline pigment cost: the US Geological Survey puts the 2025 average unit value of finished iron oxide pigments sold or used by US producers at USD 1.90 per kg (USD 0.86 per lb), estimated. The 2024 value was USD 1.85 per kg (USD 0.84 per lb) (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026). A vendor guide puts titanium dioxide at 25 to 50 % more than synthetic iron oxide, chromium(III) oxide at 3 to 5 times and cobalt blue at up to 30 times. Delivered cost depends on shade, on form (powder, liquid or granules) and on dispensing equipment, which Concrete Decor priced at about USD 40,000 per system in 2003. At pigment level, the cheapest way to color concrete is a synthetic iron oxide shade at the lowest dose that gives the target color.
Does pigment weaken concrete?#
Not at normal doses: ASTM C979/C979M-16 required at least 90 % of the control's 28-day strength at the maximum dose, though one vendor guide warns that doses above 5 % add fines that may lower strength.