What is Red Iron Oxide? What are the Industrial Applications of Red Iron Oxide?

Iron oxide is an oxygen and iron-rich compound. It is available naturally but can also be synthesized in large quantities to meet its global demand. To put things into perspective, iron oxide is the highest-selling inorganic compound across the globe.

The market share of iron oxide back in 2017 was 2 billion US dollars. In 2021, the global market share of iron oxide was USD 2,319.40 million. According to experts, the global market share of iron oxide is expected to surpass USD 3,020.46 million by the year 2028!

Industrial applications of iron oxide

The industrial applications of iron oxide are many. The following sections will shine a light on some of them.

Here goes –

It is the primary ore for iron

Spokespersons of several metal processing plants often share their views about the importance of iron oxide as the primary raw material in the sector. Iron oxide in India and the rest of the world is consumed in humongous quantities by metal processing plants as this is the only natural and synthetically derived ore that has the largest quantity of iron in diffused form.

Furthermore, the extraction of iron from iron oxide is a seamless and cost-efficient process compared to extracting iron from other iron ores. This is the reason why steel-producing plants rely on revered suppliers of iron oxide to meet their demand for the ore.

It is used to produce pigments

Suppliers that offer red iron oxide in India primarily cater to enterprises that are associated with the production of vivid red pigments in large quantities.

Vivid red pigment or more commonly known among the industrial sectors as ‘pigment red 101’ cannot be produced without steady supplies of high-quality iron oxide.

What is the importance of pigment red 101?

Well, pigment red 101 finds extensive applications across the global industrial spectrum. Some of the most common uses of pigment red 101 are mentioned below –

• Pigment Red 101 is used as a colouring agent in the personal care and beauty products manufacturing sector.
• Paint manufacturers around the globe also use pigment red 101 to manufacture their products.
• Staining product manufacturers also use pigment red 101.

It finds extensive applications in the automobile sector

Companies around the globe that are associated with the production of automobiles and automotive parts rely on iron oxide as it is used to make clear coats and tint lacquers within the manufacturing plants so that overhead costs are capped.

Why iron oxide is added to tint lacquers and clear coats?

Adding iron oxide in clear coats and tint lacquers increases their molecular stability.

Other applications of iron oxide in the automobile sector are mentioned below –

• Red iron oxide is added to paints that are used to coat door handles and wheels of automobiles so that they can get that signature transparent look.
• Iron oxide is also used to fabricate the outer glass encasing of halogen bulbs that are used in turn indicators on automobiles. Adding iron oxide to the glass encasing of halogen bulbs gives the same their signature amber hue.
• Red iron oxide is also used as an additive by producers of polymeric fibres. Polymeric fibres are a raw material that is used to fabricate the plastic trims that are used to cover up the interior surfaces of automobiles. Adding iron oxide to polymeric fibres makes the latter capable of sustaining UV damage for a long time.

Conclusion

Entrepreneurs who are running businesses that rely on a steady supply of iron oxide should ensure that they are partnering up with a revered supplier like Selective Minerals And Color Industries Private Limited. It is a Mumbai-based enterprise that has a national and international footprint. Apart from iron oxide, Selective Minerals And Color Industries Private Limited also offer international-grade processed minerals, concrete colours, talc, magnetite and hematite powder. The company has been in the sector since 1991 and it is ISO 9001:2015 RINA certified. For more details, call +91-022-26499343/+91-9920946444 or send an email to sales@selectiveminerals.com / info@selectiveminerals.com.