Summary

Alternative Name(s): Copper Phthalocyanine, Phthalo Blue, Phthalocyanine Blue

A 3-dimensional plastic model of the molecular structure of Pigment Blue 15 (copper-phthalocyanine). The model is made up of coloured spheres in two sizes, corresponding to element types: small White (Hydrogen), Black (Carbon), Blue (Nitrogen), and Brown (Copper). The number and type of spheres is determined by the molecular formula for the pigment.

One of a group of three plastic molecular models of the pigments manufactured by Pigment Manufacturers of Australia, Laverton, Victoria, Australia. The models were hung in the foyer of the main office in Laverton, Victoria, Australia, circa 1970 - 1990.

Pigment Manufacturers of Australia (P.M.A.) was established at Laverton in 1961. It manufactured two main classes of pigments, azo and phthalocyanine, which were sold mainly to the local ink and paint markets. P.M.A. closed down in 1990 due to various economic and environmental factors.

Physical Description

Several coloured plastic spheres connected together. Some are fixed and some can be rotated. There are 32 black (carbon), 10 small white (hydrogen), eight blue (nitrogen), and one brown (copper) spheres. The model is missing six of its small white hydrogen spheres, which now are stored separately. There are also four points that may have been used to hang the model.

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