Oxides Used for Lacquer Coating

Aluminum

• Aluminum oxide, or alumina, is made by grinding bauxite ore and mixing it with lime and caustic soda. This mixture is pumped into high-pressure containers, heated and refined, resulting in a white granular material that resembles fine table salt. Aluminum oxide added to lacquer finish provides increased durability and wear resistance when applied to wooden floors.

Cerium Dioxide

• Cerium dioxide is an oxide of cerium, a rare-earth metal found in minerals such as cerite, monazite and bastnaesite. It’s produced when cerium hydroxide and cerium carbonate are oxidized and usually appears as a white or light yellow powder. It’s added to lacquers to make them more resistant to the ultraviolet rays so they don’t disintegrate as quickly.

Iron

• Red iron oxide, or hematite, is a blood-red ore or iron that’s widely found in nature. It’s added to lacquer to provide durability and protection from corrosion. Black iron oxide is formed when iron is submerged in an alkaline aqueous salt solution at around 285 degrees F. It has several benefits when used in a lacquer coating. It’s very durable and won’t chip or peel. It’s also resistant to corrosion and wear. Black oxide retains its dark black color even when exposed to very high temperatures.

Titanium Dioxide

• Titanium is found in minerals such as ilmenite and rutile and is usually used in an oxide form. Titanium dioxide is a white pigment used in almost half of all lacquers. Its ability to scatter visible light, imparts brightness and opacity to the lacquer. In addition, it adds durability and corrosion resistance.

Zinc

• Zinc oxide, or zincite, is usually orange or reddish in color because of manganese impurities it contains. However, pure zinc oxide is white. Because zinc oxide is rare in nature, commercial zinc oxide is produced from oxidized zinc sulfide ores. When zinc oxide is added to lacquer used to coat food cans, it helps keep the food from becoming discolored by iron or tin sulfides that are present. Zinc oxides are also used in lacquers to protect against corrosion.