Special drying equipment for pigments includes dedicated dryers for ceramic pigments, iron oxide red, organic pigments, inorganic pigments, pearlescent pigments, etc.
Overview of Ceramic Pigments
A general term for pigments applied to ceramics, including overglaze, underglaze pigments, as well as pigments for glazes and ceramic body coloring. During ceramic production, these pigments undergo calcination at different temperatures, with varied requirements for different applications.
Classification
Ceramic pigments are categorized by application method: overglaze pigments, underglaze pigments, and inglaze pigments.
Application Fields
Used for ceramics, colored glazes, underglaze decorations, enamels, enamel decal papers, architectural enamel panels, permanent color markers and far-infrared materials;
Heat-resistant coatings, fluorocarbon coatings, high weather-resistant outdoor coatings; outdoor plastic products, plastic-steel door & window profiles, color masterbatches, etc.
Overview of Iron Oxide Red
It is available in natural and synthetic types. The natural version, known as red ochre, consists of nearly pure iron oxide and appears as red powder. Due to different production processes and operating conditions, its crystal structure and physical properties vary greatly, with hues ranging from orange to blue and purple light. It features strong hiding power and tinting strength, with a density of 5–5.25. It has excellent light resistance, high-temperature resistance, atmospheric stability, resistance to polluted gases and alkalis. It dissolves gradually only when heated in concentrated acid.
Overview of Organic Pigments
The difference between organic pigments and dyes lies in the lack of affinity with the substrate to be colored. Organic pigments adhere to the surface or mix inside materials only through binders or film-forming substances to realize coloring. The intermediates, production equipment and synthesis processes are largely similar to those for dyes, so organic pigments are often manufactured within the dye industry.
Compared with ordinary inorganic pigments, organic pigments usually have higher tinting strength; their particles are easy to grind and disperse with low sedimentation tendency and bright colors, yet poorer light, heat and weather resistance. Organic pigments are widely used for coloring inks, coatings, rubber goods, plastic products, stationery and building materials.
Overview of Inorganic Pigments
Inorganic pigments are oxides of non-ferrous metals or insoluble metal salts. They are divided into natural inorganic pigments (mineral pigments) and synthetic inorganic pigments.
Inorganic pigments cover various metal oxides, chromates, carbonates, sulfates and sulfides. Examples include aluminum powder, copper powder, carbon black, zinc white and titanium dioxide.
Natural inorganic pigments are purely sourced from mineral resources such as natural cinnabar, red earth and realgar. Synthetic types include titanium dioxide, chrome yellow, iron blue, cadmium red, cadmium yellow, lithopone, carbon black, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, etc.
Overview of Pearlescent Pigments
Pearlescent pigments are composed of mica coated with thin layers of multiple metal oxides. Changing the metal oxide coating layers creates diverse pearlescent effects. Compared with other pigments, they deliver unmatched soft pearly luster. Also named pearlescent materials, they are high-brightness materials for boosting product added value. They perform well in printing industries, enhancing color vividness and modifying color presentation. They are new materials for package printing and color printing.
Principle
The outstanding chemical corrosion resistance and high-temperature resistance of pearlescent pigments enable their wide application in coatings, inks, plastics and many other industries.
The following pigment-specified drying equipment is recommended according to material characteristics:
- Oven
- Belt Dryer
- Vacuum Rake Dryer
- Flash Dryer
- LPG Centrifugal Spray Dryer
- YPL Spray Dryer
