Technical specifications
| PARAMETER | SPECIFICATION | TEST METHOD |
|---|---|---|
| CAS Number | 1309-37-1 | — |
| Chemical Formula | Fe₂O₃ (Alpha-phase, synthetic) | — |
| HS Code | 2821.10 | — |
| Fe₂O₃ Content | ≥ 96.0 % | ISO 1248 |
| Appearance | Red to dark red powder | Visual |
| Oil Absorption | 15 – 35 g/100g | ISO 787-5 |
| Water-Soluble Matter | ≤ 0.5 % | ISO 787-3 |
| pH (10% slurry) | 5.0 – 8.0 | ISO 787-9 |
| Tinting Strength (relative) | 100 – 115% (vs standard) | ISO 787-16 |
| Heat Stability | Up to 260°C (no shade change) | — |
| Lightfastness | Excellent — Grade 8 (Blue Wool Scale) | ISO 105-B02 |
| Particle Size (D50) | 0.2 – 0.8 μm (grade dependent) | Laser diffraction |
| Packing | 25 kg PP bags, 500–1,000 kg Supersacks | — |
Applications
- Anti-Corrosion Primers & Industrial Coatings — Iron oxide red is the principal pigment in red oxide primers — the foundational anti-corrosion coating for structural steel across UAE and Saudi Arabia construction, oil & gas, and infrastructure projects.
- Architectural & Decorative Paints — Used in terracotta, brick-red, brown, and earth-tone architectural paints for UAE and Saudi Arabia residential, commercial, and heritage buildings.
- Concrete Colouring & Paving Products — Primary colourant for coloured concrete, paving blocks, roof tiles, and precast concrete elements across UAE and Saudi Arabia construction market.
- Road Markings & Traffic Paint — Iron oxide red is used in road marking paints for designated traffic areas, cycle lanes, and safety markings across GCC infrastructure projects.
- Waterproofing Membranes & Sealants — Colourant for coloured bituminous waterproofing membranes and elastomeric roof coatings widely used across UAE and Saudi Arabia building projects.
- Powder Coatings — Used as a colourant in thermoset powder coatings for architectural aluminium, steel furniture, and industrial components — heat stability up to 260°C accommodates the curing oven temperatures.
Key properties
- Fe₂O₃ content ≥ 96% — high purity synthetic grade
- Outstanding lightfastness — Grade 8 (Blue Wool) — no fading under GCC UV
- Heat stable to 260°C — suitable for powder coating cure temperatures
- Alkali-resistant — compatible with cement and concrete systems
- Non-toxic and No heavy-metal hazards; REACH documentation available on request
- Used in architectural coatings for the Saudi market; SASO documentation available on request
- Low oil absorption grades available for high-PVC formulations
- High tinting strength — low loading for full colour development
Usage and recommendations
Typical loading in paint: 2–15% by weight depending on colour depth required. Disperse thoroughly in grinding stage — inadequate dispersion causes specking and colour weakness. For cement colouring: use at 1–5% by weight of cement. Incompatible with strong oxidising agents. Store dry — avoid moisture ingress which causes agglomeration. Contact Raykem for grade selection (standard, high-tinting, transparent, or low-oil-absorption) matching your specific formulation requirements.
Packaging
- 25 kg PP Woven Bags
- 500 kg Supersacks
- 1,000 kg Supersacks (Jumbo Bags)
- Custom packing on request
Storage and shelf life
Store in original sealed bags in a cool, dry, covered warehouse away from moisture. Iron oxide pigments do not have a defined shelf life when stored dry — maintain stock rotation. Avoid direct water contact which causes lumping.