Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide Pigment (PY42) | Unmatched Transparency & Durability

Rublev Colours Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide pigment has excellent transparency, high color strength, and a clean shade. Add transparent yellow iron oxide to earth colors to enhance the color and increase saturation. The color of this pigment in glazes is very pure and intense, but it must be ground for full effectiveness.

Unleash the potential of Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide Pigment (PY42, 77492), a versatile and high-performance pigment celebrated for its exceptional transparency, warm golden hues, and unrivaled permanence. Discover how this pigment transforms artistic and industrial applications alike, delivering brilliance and durability across a wide spectrum of uses.

For more information, please see Expert Guide to Transparent Iron Oxide Pigments for Artists.

Origin and History

Transparent yellow iron oxide represents a remarkable evolution in pigment technology. Unlike natural iron oxide pigments, which tend to be opaque, transparent iron oxides achieve their transparency through meticulous particle size control during production. By reducing particle sizes to submicron levels, light scattering is minimized, allowing for greater transmission of light through the pigment layer. This property enhances its brilliance and makes it ideal for glazing and layering techniques.

Its development can be traced back to the mid-20th century, a period marked by advancements in synthetic pigment production to address the limitations of natural earth pigments. Initially, the pigment found widespread use in industrial applications such as automotive coatings, plastics, and outdoor finishes, where its stability, UV resistance, and transparency were prized.

Artists soon recognized its transformative potential for fine art, using it to create luminous glazes and unparalleled depth in landscapes, portraiture, and abstract compositions. This pigment’s ability to enhance weather resistance and adhesion made it indispensable for outdoor applications, including architectural elements, metal coatings, and decorative concrete stains. Its versatility extended into preservation and restoration efforts, where its consistency and warm tones helped accurately replicate historical works. The innovation of synthetic iron oxides allowed manufacturers to precisely control particle size, improving optical and physical properties while expanding the boundaries of creative expression. Transparent yellow iron oxide thus became a cornerstone for artists and industries alike, transforming how color and durability could be utilized in both traditional and modern applications.

Source

This pigment is derived from synthetic hydrated iron oxide (Fe₂O₃·H₂O), produced through the controlled precipitation of iron salts. This meticulous process involves regulating pH levels, temperature, and other conditions to achieve uniform particle size and optimal pigment properties. Such precision ensures its hallmark transparency, vivid color, and high tinting strength while also minimizing environmental impact compared to traditional pigment extraction methods.

Transparent yellow iron oxide is celebrated for its versatility in industrial applications. It enhances UV resistance in architectural coatings, delivers environmentally friendly alternatives for plastics, and provides stable, high-quality pigmentation for automotive finishes. Its refined production process also ensures the absence of impurities commonly found in natural earth pigments, making it a sustainable and reliable choice for artistic, cosmetic, and industrial needs.

Permanence and Compatibility

Recognized for its superior lightfastness (ASTM Lightfastness Rating I), Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide offers unmatched permanence. This rating represents the highest level of resistance to fading under light exposure, ensuring that the pigment maintains its color integrity over decades, even in environments with high UV exposure or challenging conditions. Its resistance to fading guarantees that artworks, decorative finishes, and industrial applications retain their brilliance and durability over time.

This pigment is remarkably compatible with various mediums, making it an essential tool for diverse creative and functional uses:

• Oil paints: Maintains its brilliance and enhances glazing techniques, producing vivid, transparent effects ideal for creating depth.
• Acrylics: Delivers vibrant tones and excellent transparency, suitable for bold and subtle compositions.
• Watercolors: Enables delicate washes, layering, and subtle tonal transitions, perfect for intricate detail work.
• Industrial coatings: Provides durability, weather resistance, and vivid coloration for architectural and automotive finishes, even under extreme conditions.

When blended with lead white, transparent yellow iron oxide produces warm, earthy tints that retain depth and richness. Its specialized applications, such as automotive coatings and exterior finishes, further showcase its ability to maintain stability, adhesion, and brilliance under challenging conditions, ensuring long-lasting performance.

Oil Absorption and Grinding

Transparent yellow iron oxide exhibits a moderately high oil absorption rate of approximately 48 grams per 100 grams of pigment. This characteristic balances workability and pigment load, ensuring smooth application and optimal paint consistency. For context, raw umber absorbs about 45 to 55 grams, while titanium white requires only 15 grams, demonstrating much lower oil demand. On the other hand, lamp black has an exceptionally high absorption rate of 115 grams of oil per 100 grams of pigment, making it significantly more oil-intensive. These comparisons highlight the practical balance transparent yellow iron oxide offers, ideal for a wide range of artistic techniques.

Furthermore, artists must realize that any milling or size reduction techniques applied to these pigments can adversely affect their dispersibility and transparency. Such processes often lead to the compaction of agglomerates, making it more challenging to wet the surfaces of the primary particles adequately. In addition, transparent yellow iron oxide is difficult to hand grind into paint due to the small particle size and large surface area. This knowledge is critical for artists who seek to manipulate the transparency and dispersion qualities of yellow iron oxide in their oil paintings, as it influences their final appearance and quality. Understanding these processes helps artists to make more informed choices about the materials they use, ultimately enhancing their artistic expression and the longevity of their creations.

The pigment’s finely ground particles enhance its transparency, gloss, and high-chroma effects, making it especially suitable for glazing and tinting. Its exceptional dispersion properties allow it to integrate seamlessly into various formulations, whether in fine art paints, advanced polymers, or ceramics. This ease of use, combined with its efficiency in small quantities, has made it a preferred choice across artistic and industrial applications.

Toxicity

Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide is a non-toxic pigment that meets rigorous safety standards for both artistic and industrial uses. Free from hazardous impurities, it is safe for personal care products, cosmetics, and children’s art supplies. Its environmentally friendly production process further enhances its appeal for sustainable applications.

The pigment’s compliance with international safety regulations, such as REACH in Europe and FDA standards in the United States, ensures its reliability across industries. Transparent yellow iron oxide delivers consistent, safe, and stable performance in packaging or household goods. Its eco-friendly properties make it an ideal choice for modern manufacturers prioritizing sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Product Highlights

• Warm, Golden Hue: Ideal for creating depth and warmth in artwork and coatings, with rich, earthy undertones.
• Unparalleled Transparency: Perfect for glazing, washes, and luminous effects in fine art and industrial finishes.
• Exceptional Lightfastness: Maintains vibrancy and integrity over time, ensuring longevity in all applications.
• Versatile Applications: Suitable for fine art, decorative arts, cosmetics, automotive coatings, and architectural finishes.
• Non-Toxic and Environmentally Friendly: A safe, sustainable choice for diverse applications.
• High Tinting Strength: Achieves brilliant results with minimal pigment load, enhancing efficiency and performance.

Applications Beyond Art

Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide extends beyond the canvas, finding applications in:

• Decorative Arts: Adds warmth and character to murals and furniture finishes, particularly in historic restoration projects requiring authentic coloration. It is frequently employed by artisans to recreate traditional decorative elements in architectural interiors, ensuring accurate replication of historical tones.
• Personal Care Products: Provides safe, stable pigmentation for cosmetics, including foundation, eyeshadow, and other skincare products, offering a natural and warm appearance.
• Industrial Coatings: Ensures durability, weather resistance, and vivid coloration in architectural, automotive, and marine finishes. Its ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions makes it indispensable for exterior surfaces.
• Plastics and Polymers: Imparts rich coloration while maintaining material integrity, ensuring long-lasting performance in both consumer and industrial products.

Why Choose Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide?

Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide (PY42, 77492) is a cornerstone pigment for artists, designers, and industrial professionals. Its warm tone, exceptional transparency, and unparalleled durability make it an invaluable tool for achieving both subtle and bold effects. Whether you’re creating fine art, crafting decorative finishes, or formulating innovative products, this pigment delivers extraordinary results.

With its ability to combine beauty, performance, and sustainability, Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide continues to stand out as a leading pigment across a wide range of applications. Add brilliance and durability to your creations with Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide Pigment. Order today from Natural Pigments and experience the difference!