Iron oxide pigments cannot be shared with aluminum

Iron oxide pigment is a kind of inorganic pigment widely used in coatings, inks, plastics, rubber and other fields. It is favored for its excellent color stability, weather resistance, light resistance and chemical stability. However, when we use iron oxide pigments, we must pay attention to its interaction with certain materials, especially aluminum. This article will delve into the reasons why iron oxide pigments cannot be mixed with aluminum, as well as potential problems and solutions that may arise.

First, the interaction between iron oxide pigments and aluminum

When iron oxide pigments are mixed with aluminum, a series of complex chemical reactions occur. First of all, aluminum is an active metal with strong reducibility, and the iron element in iron oxide pigments is in an oxidized state. When the two come into contact, aluminum attempts to reduce the iron element in the iron oxide, resulting in a change in the properties of the pigment. In addition, aluminum and other components of iron oxide pigments may also react to produce unstable compounds, further affecting the performance of the pigment.

2. Potential problems

1. Pigment discoloration: After the reaction of aluminum and iron oxide pigments, the color of pigments may change and lose the original color stability and brightness. This is undoubtedly a serious problem for applications that need to maintain color consistency.

2. Reduce weather resistance: The compounds generated by the reaction of aluminum and iron oxide pigments may be unstable and susceptible to environmental factors such as light, temperature, humidity, etc., resulting in decreased pigment performance and shortened service life.

3. Coating peeling: The gas generated by the reaction of aluminum and iron oxide pigments may lead to bubbles inside the coating, reduce the adhesion of the coating, and even cause the coating to peel off. This is an issue that cannot be ignored in applications where the integrity of the coating needs to be maintained.

4. Corrosion problems: In some cases, the reaction of aluminum with iron oxide pigments may lead to corrosion of aluminum, further exacerbating the problem of coating peeling and performance degradation.

Third, the solution

1. Choose the right pigment: In the need to use aluminum, should choose a good compatibility with aluminum pigments, avoid the use of iron oxide pigments. At the same time, when selecting pigments, the performance indicators such as weather resistance, light resistance and chemical stability should be fully considered to ensure the quality and service life of the coatings.

2. Isolation of aluminum and pigment contact: In the process of coating preparation, physical isolation can be used to store and use aluminum and iron oxide pigments separately to avoid direct contact between the two. For example, adding a spacer or dispersant to the coating formulation makes it difficult for the aluminum and the pigment to contact each other during the mixing process.

3. Improve the coating formula: For the reaction of aluminum and iron oxide pigments, the reaction degree can be reduced by improving the coating formula. For example, adding inhibitors or stabilizers to coatings reduces the reducibility of aluminum and the oxidation of iron oxide pigments, reducing the reaction between the two.

4. Strengthen the coating protection: add a layer of protective film on the surface of the coating, such as varnish or topcoat, to improve the adhesion and weather resistance of the coating. This can effectively prevent the problem of coating peeling caused by the gas generated by the reaction of aluminum and iron oxide pigments.

5.Regular inspection and maintenance: for the aluminum surface that has been used with iron oxide pigment coating, regular inspection and maintenance should be carried out. Once the problem of coating peeling or performance decline is found, measures should be taken in time to repair and maintain, in order to extend the service life.

In short, the reason why iron oxide pigments can not be mixed with aluminum is that the chemical reaction between the two may lead to the change of pigment properties and the decline of coating properties. In order to ensure the quality and service life of the paint, we should choose the appropriate pigment, isolate the contact between aluminum and the pigment, improve the coating formulation, strengthen the coating protection, and regularly check and maintain. Only in this way can we make full use of the excellent properties of iron oxide pigments to provide high-quality coating products for a variety of applications.