Xirallic Explained
Xirallic is an alumina effect pigment made of aluminum oxide platelets covered with titanium oxide that shows a strong glitter effect with a distinct shimmering behavior.[1] [2]
It was developed and patented by researchers of the company Merck KGaA in Japan.[3] Because the pigment was produced at a single plant in Onahama,[4] production was severally curtailed following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[5] The shortage of the pigment caused Ford and Chrysler to restrict the availability of cars and trucks in some red and black paints.[6] The shortage also affected other automobile makes. Hyundai replaced Xirallic with mica in their paints.[7] The plant reopened on 8 May 2011.[8]
See also
References
- Pfaff, G., Huber, A., “Spezielle Effektpigmente auf Basis von Aluminiumoxid-Plättchen”, Welt der Farben(2005)
- http://www.iol.co.za/business/international/closure-of-pigment-plant-limits-certain-colour-cars-1.1048481#.UCY2JJ3iaHc
- http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/innovation/2011/1125/1224307878356.html
External links
Notes and References
- News: Next, a Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Color-Shifting Baby . . 29 September 2000 . Andrea Adelson.
- News: Harvest Season for the '08 Car Colors . New York Times . 13 June 2005 . Phil Patton.
- News: Quake Spurs Supplier . Bennett . Jeff . . 11 March 2011.
- News: Pigment Shortage Hits Auto Makers. Wall Street Journal. March 26, 2011. Neal E. Boudette, Jeff Bennett.
- News: Xirallic paint shortage due to Japan earthquake . Brett Davis . 30 March 2011 . Car Advice.
- News: Ford, Chrysler restrict colors for new cars . . 28 March 2011 . Peter Valdes-Dapena.
- News: Hyundai finds solution for pigment shortage . . 20 April 2011 . Deepa Seetharaman . Alina Selyukh .
- News: UPDATE 1-Quake-hit paint plant reopens in Japan. Reuters. May 10, 2011.
