Multicoated Effect Pigments for High-Temperature Ceramic Glazes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing golden effect pigments are not temperature-stable at high temperatures (>900°C) and undergo phase reactions, leading to loss of color and effect in ceramic glazes and other high-temperature applications.

Innovation Solution

Developed effect pigments with a layer sequence comprising pseudobrookite layers separated by a thick separation layer, ensuring no phase reactions occur between layers, maintaining the desired pearlescent effect and color at temperatures above 800°C.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If golden effect pigments are used for high-temperature ceramic glazes, then intense color and decorative effect are achieved, but the pigments undergo phase reactions and lose color at temperatures above 900°C

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor intensityVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pigment is divided into multiple thin oxide layers (TiO2, Fe2O3, Cr2O3, ZnO, SnO2) deposited in sequence on a substrate, with each layer contributing to the overall optical effect and thermal stability. This segmented structure prevents phase reactions by isolating reactive components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pigment combines multiple metal oxides (TiO2, Fe2O3, Cr2O3, ZnO, SnO2) in a layered composite structure on a flake substrate, creating a material that exhibits both intense golden color and high temperature stability through the synergistic interaction of different oxide layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If multilayered oxide structures are applied to achieve intense color, then chroma and gloss are improved, but solid-state reactions occur between layers at high temperatures causing color change

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveglossVSAvoidlayer composition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Different oxide layers are strategically positioned with specific thicknesses (TiO2: 5-15nm, Fe2O3: 3-10nm, Cr2O3: 2-8nm, ZnO: 8-20nm, SnO2: 10-30nm) to create local optical properties that produce the desired golden effect while maintaining thermal stability through controlled layer composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The pigments exhibit high temperature stability, maintaining intense color and gloss in high-temperature applications such as ceramic glazes and ceramics.

Implementation Method 1

The particularly intensely coloured effect pigments are frequently multilayered pigments which have an alternating sequence of oxide layers of different refractive index on a flake-form substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

a high-refractive-index coating having a refractive index of n≥1.8

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12421395B2Effect pigments
Publication Date: 2025.09.23 SUSONITY COMMERCIAL GMBH

AI summary

Temperature-stable effect pigments based on multicoated flake-form substrates, and the use thereof in paints, coatings, printing inks, plastics and in particular in glazes, enamels, ceramic or glass-like materials.