Abstract: Laser markable coatings include a marking pigment and a fixing material. The marking pigment may comprise titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, zinc sulfide or the like. The fixing material may comprise bismuth trioxide, antimony oxide and the like, and preferably has a melting temperature below 1,300° C. A preferred laser marking composition includes TiO2 and Bi2O3 in a weight ratio of about 1:1. After application to a substrate and laser irradiation, the fixing material stabilizes the resultant mark.

Abstract: Alkaline earth-manganese oxides are used as pigments. The alkaline earth-manganese oxide pigments are preferably of the formula MexMnOy, where Me is at least one metal selected from Ca, Sr, Ba and Mg, x is from 0.01 to 99, and y is greater than or equal to x+1 and less than or equal to x+2. The pigments are useful as colorants, and also possess improved reflectance characteristics, particularly in the IR region, and may reduce IR-induced heat buildup. These colorants can be used to form colored objects, or coat objects when they are either added into or applied onto materials such as paints, inks, plastics, glasses, ceramics and the like. The patent also covers the production of these pigments.