Abstract: A pearlescent pigment, wherein the pigment is an inorganic material and the color of a homogeneous coating of the pigment, measured over a white background, is selected from the group consisting of: a CIELAB L* value of about 30 or less and a chroma value of about 3 or less; a CIELAB hue angle, hab, from about 50 to about 80 degrees, wherein L* is not more than about 85, and the chroma value is greater than 22; a CIELAB hue angle, hab, from about 80 to about 275 degrees, wherein L* is not more than about 80, and the chroma value is greater than about 10; and a CIELAB hue angle, hab, from not less than about 275 to not more than about 50 degrees, wherein L* is not more than about 85, and the chroma value is greater than about 9. The pigments may be used in a variety of applications including cosmetics, plastics, automotive, or architectural coatings.

Abstract: A pearlescent pigment comprising a substrate and a first layer, wherein the first layer comprises iron oxide, wherein the iron has from about 1% to about 30% Fe(II) and from about 70% to about 99% Fe(III). A process for making these pearlescent pigment, comprise reducing a metal oxide substrate with a hydrogen source in the presence of a noble metal catalyst in a liquid medium. The pigments may be used in a variety of applications including cosmetics, plastics, automotive, or architectural coatings.

Abstract: Described herein are ceramic colorants consisting of suspensions of particles of nanometric dimensions, their production and use.

Abstract: A corrosion-inhibiting pigment comprising a rare earth element and a valence stabilizer combinded to form a rare earth/valence stabilizer complex. The rare earth element is selected from cerium, terbium, praseodymium, or a combination thereof, and at least one rare earth element is in the tetravalent oxidation state. An inorganic or organic material is used to stabilize the tetravalent rare earth ion to form a compound that is sparingly soluble in water. Specific stabilizers are chosen to control the release rate of tetravalent cerium, terbium, or praseodymium during exposure to water and to tailor the compatibility of the powder when used as a pigment in a chosen binder system. Stabilizers may also modify the processing and handling characteristics of the formed powders. Many rare earth-valence stabilizer combinations are presented that can equal the performance of conventional hexavalent chromium systems.

Abstract: The present invention includes ultraviolet curable compositions preferably containing discrete, crystalline zirconia nanoparticles with reactive, or copolymerizable, surface modification, in a polymerizable monomer/oligomer resin mixture. It is believed that copolymerizable surface modification provides a functional group that enables the functionalized particle to co-polmerize with the reactive monomers, oligomers, and crosslinkers in the formulation. Relative to surface modification of the nanoparticles, acrylate functionality is preferred over methacrylate functionality. On the other hand, methacrylate functionality is preferred over non-reactive, or nonpolymerizable, functionality. As the nanocomposite cures, the resultant network is heavily crosslinked by selection of raw materials with substantial acrylate functionality.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a pigment composition is provided comprising a base particle and a dispersing agent, the dispersing agent comprising a salt and/or ester of: (i) an amine, alcohol, and/or alkanol amine and (ii) a polyprotic acid, wherein the mole ratio of the amine, alcohol, and/or alkanol amine to the polyprotic acid is greater than 3:1. In various embodiments, the pigments have improved stability, hiding power, tint strength, and/or gloss.

Abstract: A curable film-forming composition is provided comprising (i) 10 to 90 percent by weight based on the total weight of resin solids in the film-forming composition of a crosslinking agent; (ii) 10 to 90 percent by weight of a polymer containing a plurality of functional groups reactive with the crosslinking agent; and (iii) 5 to 85 percent by volume of particles having a mean particle size less than 100 nm. The particles comprise 1 to 99 percent by weight of at least one metal oxide wherein the metal is selected from zinc, titanium, cerium, manganese, bismuth, copper, zirconium and iron. A multi-component composite coating composition is also provided, comprising a pigmented basecoat and a clear coat. The basecoat and/or clearcoat may be derived from the curable film-forming composition described above. Also provided are coated substrates in which the curable coating compositions or the multi-component composite coating compositions described above are applied to a substrate and cured to form a cured coating.

Abstract: A particulate metal oxide having the mean length of the primary particles in the range from 50 to 90 nm, the mean width of the primary particles in the range from 5 to 20 nm, and the median volume particle diameter of the secondary particles is less than 45 nm. The metal oxide can be used in a sunscreen product that exhibits both effective UV protection and improved transparency.

Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of a nacreous pigment, in which a multi-layer film is produced by vacuum evaporation coating on a substrate and, after release from the substrate, the particles thus produced are comminuted to pigment particles of a desired size, vapor deposition of a plurality of layers taking place at separate locations within an evacuable container and the substrate being passed along the sources of evaporation, it is provided that at least a backing (A), in particular a silicon oxide layer, and at least a metal oxide layer (B), in particular a titanium oxide layer, are vapor-deposited on the substrate, in particular a circulating metal belt.

Abstract: A flaky pigment excellent in leafing properties and in adhesion between pigment particles and a coating (resin) was obtained by coating the surface of a flaky pigment with a coupling agent and a phosphate having a perfluoroalkly group or a silane compound. Accordingly, the flaky pigment is excellent as a pigment for coating or printing ink of which brightness and durability are required.

Abstract: Described herein are embedded pigments consisting of a labile chromophore englobed in a coating of refractory and transparent material formed by nanomolecular particles, also described are oxides of refractory and transparent materials in the form of nanoparticles and their use for coating labile chromophores or ceramic surfaces.

Abstract: A spray glaze or opaque composition for coating dental restorations and other surfaces and objects such as hobby ceramics that comprises about 4 to about 50 weight % glaze material, about 5 to about 60 weight % restoration wetting agent, and about 10 to about 90% non CFC propellant. An opaque composition further comprises about 5 to about 30% opaque material.

Abstract: A metallic effect pigment including a metallic, corrosion resistant reflective core of reflectivity from 40% to 80%; having deposited thereupon at least one dielectric coating layer formed of at least one metal oxide, the metal oxide layer having been formed by deposition on the core by hydrolysis of a hydrolyzable metal salt in an strongly acidic aqueous medium, and thereafter full transformation into the oxide by calcination.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal oxide sols made by mixing at least one metal alkoxide, wherein the metal is a transition metal, a post-transition metal, an alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal; at least one organosilane; at least one boron oxide compound selected from the group consisting of boric acid, alkoxy boron compounds, hydrocarbyl boric acids, hydrocarbyl hydroxy boron alkoxides, and hydroxy boron alkoxides; and a liquid. Also disclosed are composites containing a polymer and the metal oxide sols.

Abstract: The invention provides a stable metal zirconium phosphates having formula (I), in which X is a metal or a combination of metals selected from Co, Mn, Ni, Cu, Cd, Fe, Cr, Al, Sn, V, Zn, Sc, Na, Mg, Ca and Si; and n has a molar value in the range of 1.25 to 22. These metal zirconium phosphates are prepared by sol-gel process.

Abstract: A multilayer effect pigment includes a transparent substrate, a layer of high refractive index material on the substrate, and alternating layers of low refractive index and high refractive index materials on the first layer, the total number of layers being an odd number of at least three, all adjacent layers differing in refractive index by at least about 0.2 and at least one of the layers having an optical thickness which is different from all of the other layers. The resulting multilayer effect pigment is not a quarter-wave stack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inorganic spherical absorption pigments which have a bimodal particle-size distribution, at least one color-providing layer and a final SiO2 layer, and to the use thereof in paints, coatings, printing inks, security printing inks, plastics, ceramic materials, glasses, as tracers, in cosmetic formulations and for the preparation of pigment preparations and dry preparations.

Abstract: Paint and coating material system comprising a) at least one solids component comprising at least one organic or inorganic white, black or chromatic pigment, organic or inorganic fillers, or mixtures thereof, and b) at least one binder component, characterized in that the components of the system in water, with a specific energy input of less than 150 J/cm3, based on the sum of the volumes of the components and water, produced an aqueous dispersion having a particle size of <60 &mgr;m (determined in accordance with ISO 1524: 1983).

Abstract: A solid marking composition comprises a solid matrix containing at least one type of optically variable interference pigment flakes. The solid marking composition provides a document or article with a copy and counterfeit protection feature, and is preferably used in a writing instrument for applying hand-written anti-counterfeit markings and signatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inorganic spherical absorption pigments which have a bimodal particle-size distribution, at least one color-providing layer and a final SiO2 layer, and to the use thereof in paints, coatings, printing inks, security printing inks, plastics, ceramic materials, glasses, as tracers, in cosmetic formulations and for the preparation of pigment preparations and dry preparations.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal oxide sols made by mixing at least one metal alkoxide, wherein the metal is a transition metal, a post-transition metal, an alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal; at least one organosilane; at least one boron oxide compound selected from the group consisting of boric acid, alkoxy boron compounds, hydrocarbyl boric acids, hydrocarbyl hydroxy boron alkoxides, and hydroxy boron alkoxides; and a liquid. Also disclosed are composites containing a polymer and the metal oxide sols.

Abstract: Silica composite oxide particles comprising silica and a metal oxide other than silica, the content of the metal oxide other than silica being from 30 to 50 mol %, and a coefficient of variation in the particle diameter being not larger than 30%. The silica composite oxide particles contain metal oxides other than silica in an amount of not smaller than 30 mol %, which could not be produced thus far, and feature excellent spherical shape and excellent monodispersion property.

Abstract: There are described surface-coated magnesium hydroxides with a coating of

Abstract: Multilayer pearl luster pigment on the basis of a platelet-shaped substrate comprising a material having a refractive index of more than 1.8, which comprises at least (i) a first layer of a material of low refractive index in the range from 1.35 to 1.8, (ii) optionally, a second layer of a material having a refractive index of more than 1.8. (iii) a semitransparent metal layer which is applied to the substrate or to the layers (i) or (ii) and (iv) if desired, an aftercoating, the substrate being platelet-shaped titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, &agr;-iron(III) oxide, tin dioxide or zinc oxide.

Abstract: Coated powder is obtained by applying a material having a refractive index of 1.9 to 3.1 to powder having a refractive index of 1.3 to 1.8 as a core and further applying a material having a refractive index of 1.3 to 1.8 to the coated core. When this powder is used for cosmetics or paints, natural coloring can be accomplished without deteriorating lightness because a screening effect is not high.

Abstract: A filler comprising a substantially amorphous cluster comprising non-heavy metal oxide particles and heavy metal oxide. The filler can be mixed into a hardenable resin to provide radiopaque dental materials having desirable strength and aesthetic character.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pearlescent pigments based on substrates coated with one or more layers of nitrides or oxynitrides to a method for the production of such pigments and their use in plastics, paints, coatings, powder coatings, inks, printing inks, glasses, ceramic products, agriculture foils, for lasermarking of papers and plastics, security applications and in cosmetic formulations.

Abstract: Corrosion-inhibiting pigments based on manganese are described that contain a trivalent or tetravalent manganese/valence stabilizer complex. An inorganic or organic material is used to stabilize the trivalent or tetravalent manganese ion to form a compound that is sparingly soluble, exhibits low solubility, or is insoluble in water, depending upon the intended usage. Specific stabilizers are chosen to control the release rate of trivalent or tetravalent manganese during exposure to water and to tailor the compatibility of the powder when used as a pigment in a chosen binder system. Stabilizers may also modify the processing and handling characteristics of the formed powders. Manganese/valence stabilizer combinations are chosen based on the well-founded principles of manganese coordination chemistry. Many manganese-valence stabilizer combinations are presented that can equal the performance of conventional hexavalent chromium or tetravalent lead systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to additive, pigment or colorant materials which may be used for laser marking. The materials comprise oxides of bismuth and at least one additional metal. Preferred laser-markable bismuth-containing oxide compounds are of the formula BixMyOz, where M is at least one metal selected from Zn, Ti, Fe, Cu, Al, Zr, P, Sn, Sr, Si, Y, Nb, La, Ta, Pr, Ca, Mg, Mo, W, Sb, Cr, Ba and Ce, x is from about 0.3 to about 70, y is from about 0.05 to about 8, and z is from about 1 to about 100. The bismuth-containing material may be dispersed in a substrate which is subsequently irradiated by a laser to provide a contrasting mark in the irradiated region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for uniformly depositing a coating material from a vaporization source onto a powdered substrate material to form a thin coalescence film of the coating material that smoothly replicates the surface microstructure of the substrate material. The coating material is uniformly deposited on the substrate material to form optical interference pigment particles. The thin film enhances the hiding power and color gamut of the substrate material. Physical vapor deposition process are used for depositing the film on the substrate material. The apparatus and systems employed in forming the coated particles utilize vibrating bed coaters, vibrating conveyor coaters, or coating towers. These allow the powdered substrate material to be uniformly exposed to the coating material vapor during the coating process.

Abstract: A particulate metal oxide having a mean length of the primary particles in the range from 50 to 90 nm, the mean width of the primary particles in the range from 5 to 20 nm, and the median volume particle diameter of the secondary particles is less than 45 nm. The metal oxide can be used in a sunscreen product that exhibits both effective UV protection and improved transparency.

Abstract: Corrosion-inhibiting pigments based on manganese are described that contain a heptavalent (permanganate), hexavalent (manganate), or pentavalent (manganate) compound. An inorganic or organic material is used with the heptavalent, hexavalent, or pentavalent manganese ion to form a compound that is sparingly soluble in water. Specific solubility control cations are chosen to control the release rate of heptavalent, hexavalent, or pentavalent manganese during exposure to water and to tailor the compatibility of the powder when used as a pigment in a chosen binder system. Solubility control agents may also modify the processing and handling characteristics of the formed powders. Many permanganate or manganate compounds are presented that can equal the performance of conventional hexavalent chromium systems. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A method for continuously calcinating product to form mixed metal oxide powders comprising providing a continuously operated indirectly heated rotary furnace having a heating cavity, introducing raw feedstock including product to be calcined into the heating cavity of the furnace while the heating cavity is maintained at temperature, and maintaining a controlled atmosphere in the heating cavity during the heating of the feedstock, and discharging and recovering the mixed metal oxide powders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a platelet-shaped pigment having high luster and high covering power or high transparency, consisting of a transparent, inorganic, platelet-shaped matrix which can contain an additional constituent, characterized in that the additional constituent is a soluble or insoluble colorant and in that the matrix is coated at least on one side with one or more thin, transparent or semi-transparent reflective layers of metal oxides or metals to achieve the luster.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for uniformly depositing a coating material from a vaporization source onto a powdered substrate material to form a thin coalescence film of the coating material that smoothly replicates the surface microstructure of the substrate material. The coating material is uniformly deposited on the substrate material to form optical interference pigment particles. The thin film enhances the hiding power and color gamut of the substrate material. Physical vapor deposition process are used for depositing the film on the substrate material. The apparatus and systems employed in forming the coated particles utilize vibrating bed coaters, vibrating conveyor coaters, or coating towers. These allow the powdered substrate material to be uniformly exposed to the coating material vapor during the coating process.

Abstract: A curable film-forming composition is provided comprising (i) 10 to 90 percent by weight based on the total weight of resin solids in the film-forming composition of a crosslinking agent; (ii) 10 to 90 percent by weight of a polymer containing a plurality of functional groups reactive with the crosslinking agent; and (iii) 5 to 85 percent by volume of particles having a mean particle size less than 100 nm. The particles comprise 1 to 99 percent by weight of at least one metal oxide wherein the metal is selected from zinc, titanium, cerium, manganese, bismuth, copper, zirconium and iron.

Abstract: Silica composite oxide particles comprising silica and a metal oxide other than silica, the content of the metal oxide other than silica being from 30 to 50 mol %, and a coefficient of variation in the particle diameter being not larger than 30%. The silica composite oxide particles contain metal oxides other than silica in an amount of not smaller than 30 mol %, which could not be produced thus far, and feature excellent spherical shape and excellent monodispersion property.

Abstract: A coating composition useful as an electrical insulation layer for metal conductors, particularly wires, that has improved de-coating properties for the partial de-coating of coated conductor by the use of laser irradiation; the coating composition comprises

Abstract: The invention relates to particles with an opalescent effect, which have a particle size in the range from 5 &mgr;m to 5000 &mgr;m, comprising monodisperse spheres having a diameter of 50 nm to 2 &mgr;m with a standard deviation of less than 5% in a packed and regularly ordered structure which is three-dimensional -in terms of domains and is mechanically stabilized by physical or chemical modification.

Abstract: Pigment flakes having cores preferably composed of resins, polymers, thermoplastics, and/or thermosets with colorant (pigment and/or dyes) deposited thereon, coating applications thereof, and a method for making pigment flakes which includes providing a core material, compounding the core material, processing the core material into uniform forms such as films, wires, thread with rectangular cross sections and bead strings, providing colorant material, vaporizing the colorant material, exposing a surface of core material to the vaporized colorant material to form a layer of colorant on thereon, and fracturing the resultant colorant layered core material into flakes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing ultrafine particulate complex oxide containing titanium oxide, including vapor-phase producing a complex oxide containing titanium oxide having a BET specific surface area of about 5 to about 200 m2/g, where a starting material gas containing titanium tetrachloride and an oxidizing gas are preheated to about 700° C. or more, and are reacted with a solution or a slurry of a salt containing a metallic element. The present invention also provides an ultrafine particulate complex oxide containing titanium oxide obtained by the process, and use of the oxide.

Abstract: A process for preparing an improved pigment which is readily dispersible in paints and plastics concentrates is provided. In accordance with the process, a particulate pigment is mixed with water to form a slurry thereof, and a surface active agent is mixed with the slurry so that the pigment therein is coated therewith. A preferred surface active agent is a mixture of ethoxylated sorbitan derivatives, non-ethoxylated mono and diglycerides and ethoxylated mono and diglycerides. After the pigment has been coated with the surface active agent, the coated pigment is dried.

Abstract: The pigment dispersion composition having a good dispersibility, a good transparence and an anti-coating properties, which contains 0.5 to 50 parts by weight of an inorganic pigment, at least one type of dispersant selected from the group consisting of a sodium salt, an ammonium salt and an amine salt of an acrylic resin, an acryl copolymer resin, a polycarbonic acid, a condensation product of aromatic formalin sulfonate, and water or a solvent miscible with water.

Abstract: To provide a high-chromatic flaky pigment with good colorability, and to provide a method for producing the flaky pigment in a simple and inexpensive plant. A high-chromatic flaky pigment of which the entire surface of the flaky substrate coated with a metal oxide having an interference color is further coated with a semi-transparent thin metal film to enhance the interference color of the pigment.

Abstract: Luster pigments based on multiply coated reflecting platelet-shaped substrates and comprising at least one layer packet comprising A) a low refractive coating which selectively absorbs visible light and B) a reflective coating which is at least partially transparent to visible light and also, if desired, C) an outer protective layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to multilayered interference pigments which comprise a platelet-shaped substrate of silicon dioxide which is coated alternately with layers of light-transparent materials having refractive indices of n>1.8 and layers of light-transparent materials having refractive indices of n≦1.8, where the optical thickness of the platelet-shaped substrate and the optical thickness of the individual layers of light-transparent materials having refractive indices of n≦1.8 are the same.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for uniformly depositing a coating material from a vaporization source onto a powdered substrate material to form a thin coalescence film of the coating material that smoothly replicates the surface microstructure of the substrate material. The coating material is uniformly deposited on the substrate material to form optical interference pigment particles. The thin film enhances the hiding power and color gamut of the substrate material. Physical vapor deposition processes are used for depositing the film on the substrate material. The apparatus and systems employed in forming the coated particles utilize vibrating bed coaters, vibrating conveyor coaters, or coating towers. These allow the powdered substrate material to be uniformly exposed to the coating material vapor during the coating process.

Abstract: A colored interference pigment having a platelet-shaped layer as substrate, a coating of at least one metal oxide layer and, optionally, a further layer, at least two layers comprising or consisting of colorants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to additive, pigment or colorant materials which may be used for laser marking. The materials comprise oxides of bismuth and at least one additional metal. Preferred laser-markable bismuth-containing oxide compounds are of the formula BixMyOz, where M is at least one metal selected from Zn, Ti, Fe, Cu, Al, Zr, P, Sn, Sr, Si, Y, Nb, La, Ta, Pr, Ca, Mg, Mo, W, Sb, Cr, Ba and Ce, x is from about 0.3 to about 70, y is from about 0.05 to about 8, and z is from about 1 to about 100. The bismuth-containing material may be dispersed in a substrate which is subsequently irradiated by a laser to provide a contrasting mark in the irradiated region.

Abstract: Colored pigments having one or more desired parameters and/or properties are described. These parameters and/or properties include: a) a particles size of from about 10 nm to about 300 nm; b) an accusizer number of less than 1010 particles/ml of dispersion at 15% solids which are greater than 0.5 micron; c) a filterability such that when in a liquid medium, 100 ml having 10% solids of the colored pigment filters through a 3 micron nylon absolute filter; d) a colored pigment purity of greater than about 80%, based on extractable material; and/or e) a stability such that the above-described properties do not change by more than 50% at 25 degrees C. for at least one week. Colored pigments having at least one organic group and having one or more of the above-described characteristics is also described as well as a process for preparing surface-modified colored pigments.