Thermochromic materials

A reversible thermochromic material comprising (A) from about 1% to about 20% by weight of one or more electron-donating, chromatic organic compounds selected from the group consisting of diaryl phthalides, polyaryl carbinols, leuco auramines, lactum leuco compounds, indolines, spiropyrans and fluoranes having a molecular weight of from about 350 to about 1...;

• (B) from about 2% to about 30% by weight of one or more compounds having a phenolic hydroxyl group and a molecular weight of from about 200 to about 800;
• (C) from about 10% to about 90% by weight of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, docosyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol and mixtures thereof;
• and (D) the balance to make 100% being one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of octyl caprylate, decyl caprylate, octyl caprate, decyl caprate, cetyl caprate, stearyl caprate, butyl laurate, octyl laurate, lauryl laurate, stearyl laurate, butyl myristate, decyl myristate, myristyl myristate, cetyl myristate, octyl palmitate, butyl stearate, decyl stearate, lauryl stearate, stearyl stearate, 12-hydroxy stearic acid triglyceride and mixtures thereof, said component (C) and (D) controlling the temperature and sensitivity of coloration/decoloration of said thermochromic material undergoing reversible metachromatism at a temperature within the range of from about -40.degree. to about 80.degree. C.