microflakes
Minuscule falling bits
Microflakes are tiny, flat fragments of material—often so small they're barely visible.
The term appears in contexts ranging from food science (microflakes of seasoning or chocolate) to materials engineering (metallic microflakes in paint or coatings) to geology (microflakes of rock or mineral).
The prefix micro- emphasizes their diminutive scale: The paint contained aluminum microflakes for a metallic shimmer.
Extremely small in size
- infinitesimalQuantity approaching zero
- nanoscaleBillionth-meter dimension
- minuteSixtieth of an hour
- tinyExtremely small in size
particulate · fine · ultrafine · granular · atomized · dispersed · fragmentary
Layered silicate mineral
- graphiteCrystalline carbon allotrope
- metallicResembling ore-based elements
- ceramicFired clay material
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
silica · mineral · glass · aluminum · titanium · zinc · iron · copper
Reduced to fine particles
- dustyCoated with fine particles
- scalyCovered with thin plates
- crumblyProne to fragmenting
- chalkyPale and dusty-textured
gritty · silky · smooth · pearlescent · shimmery · iridescent · glittery · lustrous
Surface-level appearance enhancer
- skincareComplexion maintenance regimen
- paintColored coating substance
- coatingApplied surface covering
- polishSmooth by rubbing
glitter · eyeshadow · foundation · shimmer · automotive · industrial · pharmaceutical · sunscreen
minuscule
Extremely small in size
- infinitesimalQuantity approaching zero
- nanoscaleBillionth-meter dimension
- minuteSixtieth of an hour
tiny · particulate · fine · ultrafine · granular · atomized · dispersed · fragmentary
mica
Layered silicate mineral
polymer · silica · mineral · glass · aluminum · titanium · zinc · iron · copper · pigment
powdery
Reduced to fine particles
chalky · gritty · silky · smooth · pearlescent · shimmery · iridescent · glittery · lustrous · matte
cosmetic
Surface-level appearance enhancer
polish · glitter · eyeshadow · foundation · shimmer · automotive · industrial · pharmaceutical · sunscreen · ink