Iron oxide

Iron oxide (CAS 1332-37-2), sold under the food and cosmetic designation E172, is a family of inorganic pigments spanning red, yellow, black, and brown hues.

These pigments deliver stable, opaque coloration across a broad range of industrial and consumer applications where UV resistance and heat stability are procurement priorities for manufacturers.

In architectural and industrial coatings, iron oxides provide long-term color retention on exterior surfaces exposed to weathering. Concrete and paving blocks are mass-tinted using these pigments.

Roof tiles achieve consistent, fade-resistant coloration throughout the substrate. Plastics compounders incorporate them into masterbatches for automotive parts, pipes, and packaging films for performance.

Colorfast performance under high processing temperatures is required. Printing inks and packaging laminates use iron oxide pigments to meet opacity and regulatory compliance targets in various applications.

Iron oxide is supplied as dry powder, granules, and dispersed slurry or paste concentrates. Granule and low-dust forms are preferred for large-scale industrial handling and safety protocols.

Standard grades include synthetic iron oxides meeting ASTM D3722 for pigment applications, as well as food-grade material conforming to E172 specifications under EU and FCC standards.

Natural and synthetic variants are both commercially available. Synthetic grades offer tighter particle size distribution and higher tinting strength for precise industrial color matching requirements.