Ceramic Iron Oxide Pigments

Ceramic iron oxide pigments are a range of brilliant, heat stable colorants used in the manufacture of glazes, glass, paper, plastic, rubber and textiles as well as in cosmetics and magnetic ink and toner.

They are often used in the manufacturing of designer tiles, paver blocks and roof tiles due to their long lasting colour intensity, resistance to UV rays and weathering properties.

Synthetic

Synthetic ceramic iron oxide pigments are used in many applications including paints and coatings, rubber, paper, cement colours and construction. They have several properties, such as high tinting strength, dispersibility, and light fastness.

Synthetic iron oxide pigments are also available in a wide range of particle sizes, from coarse agglomerates to fine pulverized particles. Particle size is dependent on the origin or method of preparation and whether size reduction procedures were utilized.

In contrast to natural pigments, which may contain agglomerates as coarse as 30 to 100 micrometers (about 1/1,000 to 4/1,000 inch), synthetic iron oxide pigments are typically sized from a few hundredths of a micrometer to less than one micrometer in the case of transparent oxides. Because of their finer particle size, synthetic iron oxide pigments are used for applications that require a higher degree of dispersion or a lower loss of ink in the formulation.

These properties are especially desirable in applications such as paints and coatings, rubber, paper, and other materials requiring both high tinting strength and high bleed resistance. Additionally, the chemical and physical stability of iron oxide pigments, along with their relatively low cost, make them attractive options for use in a variety of other applications.

The coloration of pigments based on iron oxide derives from the electronic structure of the atoms of the metal. In hematite, Fe2O3, the iron atom has a divalent valence state; in hydrated ferric oxide, Fe2O3*H2O, limonite or goethite, it has a trivalent valence state. This gives the red, yellow and black colors.

Moreover, in some iron oxides the valence state of the iron atom is altered by reduction. This produces magnetic particles called magnetite, Fe3O4, which are black.

This is accomplished by the Laux process, which is a type of aniline process. The chemist Dr Laux found that the iron oxide resulting from this reaction could be used, subject to certain chemical conditions, as an iron oxide pigment with extremely high colour strength.

Another technique for producing iron oxide pigments is to combine metallic iron raw material with a solution of aromatic nitro compounds. The resulting mixture is reduced to produce an iron oxide pigment in an ecologically friendly and inexpensive process.

Natural

Natural ceramic iron oxide pigments are used in paints, coatings and construction materials. They have good color stability, good chemical resistance and are relatively inexpensive. The iron content of these pigments is a major factor in their performance.

These pigments are derived from various mineral clays and have been used for thousands of years in art. They are especially popular in prehistoric cave drawings and paintings.

In addition to its color, a key ceramic iron oxide pigments property of natural iron oxides is their ability to resist color change due to exposure to sunlight. This can be a significant advantage in applications where high hiding power is needed.

Another key characteristic of iron oxides is their high bleed resistance; that is, the ability to resist the attack of solvents in coatings. This property is particularly important in industrial and automotive coatings.

Some of the naturally occurring iron oxides include ocher, sienna and raw umber. These oxides may contain other minerals, such as manganese, that are a part of the ores that produce them.

Ocher is lower in iron than sienna and raw sienna, while raw umber is higher in iron than ocher. These differences are a source of the color differentiation that is commonly used to distinguish between these oxides.

Red iron oxide, Fe2O3, occurs naturally as hydrated ferric oxide (Fe2O3*H2O) and can also be formed in solution processes with iron sulfate and sodium nitrate. Calcined natural iron oxides are heat stable and can withstand heating up to 220deg F.

Synthetic red oxide pigments, like their black counterparts, are made from a variety of iron-containing compounds. They can be manufactured to a wide range of specifications.

These pigments are available in many colors and can be used to produce opaque or transparent coatings. They are a useful material in a wide ceramic iron oxide pigments range of applications, including glass, paper, rubber and textiles.

They are also widely used in cosmetics, especially foundations, lipsticks, and nail lacquers. They are particularly useful in the cosmetic industry as they can provide both color and durability.

The iron content of some of these pigments is low, making them nontoxic. This is particularly important in applications where toxicity and safety are critical. In addition, they are able to withstand alkaline and acid environments that would make synthetic iron oxides less desirable.

Generic

Generic ceramic iron oxide pigments are used in a variety of applications, including paints and coatings. They are available in a wide range of colors and can be produced in a number of different ways. They are also used in a variety of industries, including construction, plastics, and paper.

Red iron oxide is one of the most common pigments for ceramic glazes, and it comes in many different shades from light bright red to a deep dark maroon. It is usually designated by a number from 120-180 (it can be harder to find darker colors). While firing, the iron in the glaze decomposes and releases colors. These colors are dependent on the percentage of iron in the glaze.

Other iron oxide pigments that are used in ceramics include yellow, black, and brown. They have excellent tinting strength, color consistency, and are widely available.

These pigments are also known for their high opacity and stability. They can be used to produce a wide range of colors, and they are commonly available in powder form. They are a good choice for colorants in ceramics because they are low-cost and easy to use.

The pigments are typically available in a variety of particle sizes, from coarse agglomerates that can be mixed together in a batch to fine powders that can be ground and dispersed. They are used in a variety of applications, and they are also found in a number of other products, such as soaps, lotions, and cosmetics.

Some of these iron oxide pigments are even resistant to certain chemicals, and some are even nontoxic. This makes them an ideal option for coloring ceramics, as well as in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other chemically sensitive applications.

Increasing demand for coatings in various industries, such as construction and oil and gas, will have a significant impact on the market for synthetic iron oxide pigments. It is expected that this trend will continue throughout the forecast period.

The global market for synthetic iron oxide pigments is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7 percent during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to lead the market for this type of pigment. The region is characterized by surging industrialization and urbanization, growth in research and development activities, abundance of raw materials, and a growing end user industry.

Specification

Ceramic iron oxide pigments are available in a wide variety of colors. They are derived from natural and synthetic sources and they can be found in various applications such as glazes, ceramic bodies, and porcelains. They are also used in paints, soaps, cosmetics and pet food.

Synthetic ceramic iron oxide pigments are usually manufactured through chemical processes. These processes can be categorized into two major groups, the Laux process and the nitrobenzene process. The Laux process combines nitrogen with a variety of solvents and chemicals to produce iron oxide. This process requires a high level of expertise and it is not always economical.

During the process of making a colorant, the metal or oxide is ground and processed into a fine powder that can be dissolved in water to create a soluble glaze. This powder is then added to a clay body or glaze and then fired to form the desired color. The colors are dependent on the type of hydration, temperature, and atmosphere the powder is fired in.

Red iron oxide is the most common type of colorant for ceramics. It can be found in various shades from light to dark reds. In oxidation firing, it will become brighter while in reduction firing it can be more earthy.

These colors are often achieved through mixing the different grades of iron oxide together to get a particular shade, however, it is possible to achieve these different colors by adding a variety of other colorants and opacifiers. They also vary in how much they react with other materials and at what temperature and atmosphere the powder is fired in.

Micaceous iron oxide, a naturally occurring flaky form of iron oxide, is another type of pigment that is frequently used for coatings. It has long been used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications, including refineries, oil rigs, and bridges.

The use of micaceous iron oxide has expanded to include a broad range of products, including paints, paper, plastics and rubber, as well as coatings for telecommunications equipment. The mineral is a very durable, highly resistant material.