Xirallic

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]

Car shape model varnished with an effect pigment based on an alumina substrate (Xirallic)

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
  1. Andrea Adelson (29 September 2000). "Next, a Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Color-Shifting Baby". New York Times.
  2. Phil Patton (13 June 2005). "Harvest Season for the '08 Car Colors". New York Times.
  3. Bennett, Jeff (11 March 2011). "Quake Spurs Supplier". Wall Street Journal.
  4. Neal E. Boudette, Jeff Bennett (March 26, 2011). "Pigment Shortage Hits Auto Makers". Wall Street Journal.
  5. Brett Davis (30 March 2011). "Xirallic paint shortage due to Japan earthquake". Car Advice.
  6. Peter Valdes-Dapena (28 March 2011). "Ford, Chrysler restrict colors for new cars". CNN Money.
  7. Deepa Seetharaman; Alina Selyukh (20 April 2011). "Hyundai finds solution for pigment shortage". Reuters.
  8. "UPDATE 1-Quake-hit paint plant reopens in Japan". Reuters. May 10, 2011.
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