What is iron oxide pigment for paints and Why Do We Use Them?

Mineral Resource of the Month: Iron Oxide Pigments

by U.S. Geological Survey Wednesday, June 20, 2018

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Michael J. Potter, mineral commodity specialist for the U.S. Geological Survey, has compiled the following information on iron oxide pigments.

Iron oxide pigments, which may be natural or synthetic, have been used as colorants since early humans began painting on cave walls. Natural pigments are derived from several iron oxide minerals: Red pigments are derived from hematite. Yellow and brown pigments — ochres, sierras and umbers — are derived from limonite. Magnetite provides a black iron oxide pigment. Micaceous iron oxide is a special form of hematite that occurs in thin metallic gray platelets or flakes. Synthetic pigments are manufactured under controlled conditions such that particle size, distribution and shape can be accurately replicated, resulting in superior uniformity, color quality and chemical purity.

Iron oxide pigments are relatively low-cost materials that resist color change due to exposure to sunlight, have good chemical resistance and are stable under normal ambient conditions. The leading uses of the pigments are in paints, coatings and construction materials such as in concrete products, mortar, paving stones and roofing tiles. Natural pigments are used in primers and undercoats, where color consistency is less critical, whereas synthetic pigments are used in topcoat paints where color consistency is important.

Micaceous iron oxide imparts unique properties to paints and coatings because the flaky particles align in such a way as to resist penetration by moisture and gases. These coatings can prevent corrosion and rusting of metals and also resist blistering, cracking and peeling.

Deposits of iron oxide pigment occur in many countries, but have been significantly developed in only a few. Countries known for production of iron oxide pigments historically include Cyprus, France, Iran, Italy and Spain. Countries with recent significant production include India, Spain and Honduras.

Iron oxide pigments are also created through steelmaking. When steel is treated with hydrochloric acid to remove surface oxides, the acid is regenerated to be recycled and iron oxide is produced. Regenerated iron oxides are used in a variety of filters, inductors and transformers in electronic home appliances and industrial equipment, as well as in flexible magnets, generators, loudspeakers and electric car motors.

New developments in the synthetic iron oxide pigment industry in recent years include granular forms of iron oxides and new versions of nano-sized materials, which are being used in computer disk drives and high-performance loud speakers, and in biology and medicine, including nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.

Visit minerals.usgs.gov/minerals for more information on iron oxide pigments.

IRON OXIDE PIGMENT PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION

Total world production of iron oxide pigments (natural: 13 percent and synthetic: 87 percent) in 2006 was approximately 1.4 million metric tons.

China was the world’s leading producer in 2006, with 49 percent of the world’s total production.

In 2007, total estimated U.S. production was 50,000 metric tons valued at about $50 million.

In 2006, the estimated global market for iron oxide pigments was $1.1 billion.

FUN FACTS

Natural iron oxide pigments have been used in art for tens of thousands of years, since humans created the 32,000-year-old cave paintings at Lascaux, France.

Iron oxide pigments are used as colorants for ceramic glazes, glass, paper, plastic, rubber and textiles as well as in cosmetics and magnetic ink and toner.

Micaceous iron oxide coatings have been used for heavy duty applications in harsh environments, including industrial tanks, refineries, chemical plants, drilling rigs and bridges, and even on the Eiffel Tower.

Synthetic Iron Oxide is amongst the most crucial components of the Inorganic Pigments family. In addition to that, they are also the highest-selling pigments across the world after Titanium Dioxide.

What are Synthetic Iron Oxide pigments?

The iron oxide pigments have been used as colorants for ages with early humans using them to paint on cave walks. While the natural pigments are derived from various iron oxides minerals, the synthetic pigments are produced under controlled conditions get the desired

• Particle size
• Distribution and shape
• Superior uniformity
• Better colour quality
• And, chemical purity.

But what is the reason behind their amazing popularity across the world? Synthetic Iron Oxide pigment are highly stable and possess good strength. Moreover, they are resistant to UV rays, salty weather, and other harsh atmospheric conditions. Also, they are non-hazardous and entirely safe for transport and use.

Also, they are comparatively cheaper than the organic iron oxides pigments due to the low cost of raw material as well as synthetic iron.

The red, yellow, and black colours are primarily used to produce single-component forms. Orange and brown, on the other hand, are made as blends.

Let us have a look at the characteristics and synthetic iron oxide uses.

For more iron oxide pigment for paintsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

1. Synthetic Red Iron Oxide

Synthetic red oxide pigments are the most common ones, and they also contain the highest amount ofiron. Owing to their pure hue, consistent properties, and tinting strength, red oxides are gaining immense popularity in various fields.

Characteristics:

Synthetic red oxide pigments have the following characteristics:

• Fine particle size with great tinctorial strength
• Non-toxic
• Non-inflammable
• Resistance to alkali
• Produces very attractive shades of variegated colours

In addition to the characteristics mentioned above, they have got pure hue and consistent properties.

Uses of Red Iron Oxide:

Red Iron Oxide is mainly used in paints and coatings, rubber, paper, cement colours, and construction. The building materials industry consumes the highest amount of iron oxide pigment. It is because these pigments possess good dispersibility and tinting strength. They are used for coloring concrete, mortar, paving blocks, chequered tiles, and much more.

At Bansal Trading Company, you will find the following red iron oxide pigments of ultimate quality:

• Synthetic Iron Oxide Red 110
• Synthetic Iron Oxide Red 129
• Synthetic Iron Oxide Red 130
• Synthetic Iron Oxide Red 136
• Synthetic Iron Oxide Red 445
• Synthetic Iron Oxides Red 446
• Synthetic Iron Oxides Red 120
• Synthetic Iron Oxides Red 190

2. Synthetic Iron Oxide Yellow

The synthetic yellow iron oxide has an extremely fine particle size (but not as fine as the black or red oxides). The actual ones have around 85% Fe2O3 and about 12% LOI with some impurities. These oxides are used in situations where raw colour or raw properties are crucial for the manufacturing process.

It is comparatively fluffier than the red one but lesser than black iron oxide pigment.

Characteristics:

• Yellow oxide pigments have excellent hiding power
• They can absorb ultraviolet light
• Compatible with a wide variety of vehicles
• Dispersible in aqueous and solvent systems
• Does not have very heavy metals

Uses of Yellow oxides:

Yellow oxides are widely used in paints, enamels, concrete colorants, plastics, rubber, and also paper (where permanent yellow is needed).

3. Synthetic black iron oxide

Synthetic Black iron oxide acts as a source of Fe in ceramic applications, particularly at places where raw black colour is crucial. The key difference between the red and black iron oxide pigments is that the red iron oxide is ferromagnetic, and black iron oxide is ferrimagnetic.

Characteristics:

• Black iron oxide are ferrimagnetic in nature
• It has a melting point of 1,597 °C (2,907 °F)
• Its boiling point is 2,623 °C (4,753 °F)
• It is an electrical conductor with conductivity significantly higher than red iron oxide.

Uses of black oxide:

The black iron oxide pigment is used as a colorant for a wide array of non-ceramic products as well. Moreover, these black oxides are also used for resisting corrosion on various appliances. They are also a component of anti-corrosion paints (used in many bridges).

4. Synthetic Iron Oxides Orange

The synthetic orange iron oxide pigments are extremely concentrated dry powder having a very fine particle size.

Characteristics:

• The orange iron oxides have great tinctorial strength
• They are resistant to alkali
• Along with being non-toxic in nature, they are also non-inflammable

Uses of Orange Oxides:

Orange iron oxide pigments are often used in different kinds of cement mortars, including plasters, tile mud, floorings, stamped concrete, blocks, etc. In addition to that, these pigments are also used in various color plastics, water-based and oil-based paints, soaps, fertilizers, and even feed products.

 5.  Brown iron oxides pigment

The brown iron oxide pigments are dry colored powder used to colour concrete. These oxides are basically a mixture of red, yellow, and black oxides. This blend gives them a fairly medium brown pigment with slight red tones.

Characteristics:

• The brown iron oxide pigments are UV stable
• They are also non-hazardous
• Brown iron oxides are soluble in water

Uses Brown iron oxides pigment:

The synthetic brown iron oxides pigments are used for a variety of purposes, such as in decorative cosmetics, including foundations, lipsticks, nail lacquers, eyeliners, lip liners, etc.

However, their use is not just confined to cosmetics only. These pigments are also used in the construction industry for the coloration of concrete.

Key takeaways

The synthetic iron oxides industry is growing day by day with the growing demand across various industries. Different iron oxide pigments such as red iron oxide, black iron oxide, brown iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, orange iron oxide, and many others are being produced synthetically at a large scale.

These pigments are comparatively cheaper than the organic ones and superior in quality.

All of these pigments have different uses based on the properties they possess. Moreover, the recent developments in the synthetic iron oxides pigment industry, such as granular forms of iron oxides and enhanced versions of nano-sized materials.

If you have a paint, plastics, or rubber making business, or need Synthetic iron oxide pigment for other industrial purposes, you can contact reputed chemical distributor in India for rates, terms of payment, shipping, and more. Bansal Trading Company is one of the leading and renowned dealers of chemical substances in India. You can email us at btc@bansaltrading.com or call us at 011 45086000 for Iron oxide manufacturers in India or any premium quality products for various purposes.

Mineral Resource of the Month: Iron Oxide Pigments

Synthetic Iron Oxide : Colour, Uses and Characteristics