All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier
(6503 products available)
Brown ceramic pigments are the result of certain metal oxides that are used to color ceramics in a stable manner. Such ceramic pigments have wide applications due to their stability at high temperatures, opacity, and UV resistance. Thus, these are used in glazes, bodies, and ceramic decoration. Most common types of brown ceramic pigments include the following:
Copper- Based pigments
Copper pigments are usually developed by co-precipitating copper oxide with alkaline earth metal nitrates and cerium. Further, synthetic brown coppoer ceramic pigment also comes with better chemical durability and thermal stability than natural ones. Alibaba.com offers wholesale buyers a wide variety of natural and artificial copper pigments to choose from. While natural ones come from volcanic rocks, synthetic pigments are usually derived from processes of extracting copper from ores and rocks.
Manganese Oxide Pigments
Manganese as manganese dioxide exhibits one of the widest uses as a ceramic pigment. Moreover, it has excellent heat and chemical resistances. Also, its stability means that it can change iron to black spinel. Therefore, giving clays a characteristic brown tint. Sometimes, its chemical properties are altered by substituting iron and forming manganese spinel. This will then change the manganese to red pigment. Of significance is that brownstone from the Western Negev, aka Israel, is rich in manganese compounds and has been utilized as a pigment since antiquity.
Chrome- Manganese Pigments
Chrome- manganese pigments are obtained through the calcination of chromite. Used in ceramic industries, chrome- manganese pigments are regarded as the best, especially in photostability. Though all types of chrome have some solar activity, this effect is lower in chromium and manganese pigments. It is worth noting that the ingenious addition of calcium can improve the dispersion of these pigments and reduce the amount of pigment required. However, this increase comes at the expense of cost. Also, Alibaba.com sells faucet pigments at wholesale prices.
Iro- Mollas Pigments
Browns iro- mollas pigments consist of iron- spinel that varies in color from red to brown to black based on the amount of iron available in the natural pigment. The ieas iron mollas pigment is derived from iron ore and red spinel. Conversely, the Iro- brown molas pigment owes its color and formation to the abundance of iron in chromium spinel. Commonly manufactured in Morocco, these pigments have copper substituted for iron. This enhances the stability of the pigment both thermally and chemically. Besides, there has been a huge diversification of mollas pigments due to the use of a large number of ores associated with different metallic minerals.
Brown pigments have wide applications across various industries due to their natural look and versatility. Some of the common applications include:
Ceramic Glazes
Ceramic glazes incorporate brown pigments to achieve desired earthy tones in finished products. These pigments are combined with glass- forming components and applied to the surface of pottery to create a colored, glassy coat that is usually protective and decorative. Hence, the resulting colors range from light tan to deep chocolate brown, and usually enhance the visual appeal while providing durability and water resistance.
Porcelain and Stoneware
Usually, brown ceramic pigments are employed in porcelain and stoneware to achieve specific coloration and surface effects. Further, these pigments allow artisans to obtain a wide range of natural colors that resemble wood, soil, or stone. Thus, making the final product more aesthetically appealing and often aligning with certain cultural or regional design preferences.
Terracotta and Earthenware
Most commonly, terracotta and earthenware use brown pigments to enhance their natural reddish- brown tones. In this case, the addition of these pigments adjusts the clay body color to meet desired specifications or to cover imperfections in the clay. Hence, this results in a wide range of earthy and natural hues that are usually associated with rustic and traditional designs.
Outdoor ceramics
For outdoor ceramics, such as garden pots and tiles, brown pigments are crucial due to their UV stability and resistance to environmental elements. Outdoor ceramic supplies are available at Alibaba.com at wholesale prices. This means that the colors will not fade easily when exposed to sunlight, hence maintaining their aesthetic appeal over time. Further, these functional benefits, together with visual ones, make brown ceramic pigments a practical choice for outdoor decorative and functional items.
Some of the specifications regarding pigment consistency and durability include the following:
Particle size
Pigments with smaller particle size usually offer better dispersion and surface smoothness. Hence, providing higher opacity in the glaze. This is because a greater number of small particles will require less pigment to cover each surface area compared to large particles. Therefore, surface area wise, a smaller particle size means a higher tinting strength.
pH value
Pigments with balanced pH values usually between 6 and 8 are the least likely to interact with glaze components adversely. Thus, ensuring that only minimum changes occur to the glaze chemistry and stability.
Heat resistance
Brown ceramic pigments are stable at high temperatures. This means they will not degrade or react chemically with other glaze components. Generally, iron oxides contribute to the thermal stability of pigments and glazes.
Purity and quality
Natural or synthesized brown ceramic pigments with high metal content mean deeper saturation and better color are achieved. Moreover, the presence of impurities will make the pigment lose intensity and affect its UV resistance capability.
Maintenance
Mix well before use
It is important that the pigment and glaze mixture is thoroughly mixed before application to achieve uniform coloring and consistency.
Use protective gear
Users should wear protective gears such as masks and gloves when handling pigments to avoid inhalation and skin contact, as some pigments might contain hazardous metal compounds.
Storage
Maintain all pigments in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight to prevent degradation. In addition, all ceramic items with brown stone should be stored in a dry place with normal temperatures and away from UV exposure to prevent discoloration and fading over time. Users should ensure that both the glazes and finished ceramics are kept in dark places to prevent oxidative reactions that will lead to loss of color.
Cleaning
Clean any ceramic pieces with water and mild detergent. Ideally, no bleach or acidic cleaners should be used as they may erode the pigments and glaze. For glazes, the exposure to harsh chemicals will lead to the depletion of the pigment and therefore the loss of color.
Inspection
Regularly check for signs of fading or discoloration. This may be due to environmental exposure. If necessary, consult with a ceramic restoration expert or reapply glaze with new pigments.
Often, buyers are interested in quality when purchasing brown ceramic pigments for sale. So what constitutes quality of ceramic pigments? The answer lies below:
Color strength and consistency
Quality ceramic pigments usually provide a color that is even and consistent across a wide range of concentration. In this case, refer to color strength. Therefore, high- quality pigments will not wash out or become diluted as they are mixed with more glaze.
Stability
During firing, quality pigments do not react chemically with other glaze components. Also, they retain their color at various temperatures. This is irrespective of firing temperature or reduction/ oxidation atmosphere.
Opacity
Good quality pigments cover the underlying clay or body uniformly with a single layer. They do this by not allowing any light through.
Sintering resistance
This means that the addition of pigments to glaze does not cause the development of glass in an amount that would lead to opacification.
As for safety, below are some measures to consider upon purchasing these pigments:
Non- toxicity
Fortunately, most modern ceramic pigments are non-toxic. Nevertheless, it is important to determine whether the ceramic pigments contain certain heavy metals. These include lead and cadmium which may leach into food or drink and cause harmful effects.
Handling
Users should handle these pigments cautiously. This includes wearing gloves and masks to avoid inhalation and skin contact. In case of contact, it is important to wash the area with soap and water.
Disposal
Undisposed ceramic pigments can cause harm to the environment. The best way to dispose them is by taking them to a hazardous waste facility. In addition, it is better not to mix them with regular trash or pour them down drains.
Brown ceramic pigments are manufactured with minimal ecological impact through the synthesis of high- purity inorganic compounds. Mg, Co, Ni, and all transition metals are used to produce brown ceramics by heating metal oxides and salts in furnaces. Usually, the compounds are cooled, milled, and sieved to produce consistent particle sizes for effective dispersion in ceramic materials.
They include manganese dioxide, nickel hydroxide, iron oxide, copper, and cobalt chromites. Additional porcelain ceramic supplies are found in brown colors and are made using various minerals.
Ceramic pigment only affects the color of clay bodies and ceramic glazes. On the other hand, a ceramic stain is a red flag for the discoloration of the body and glaze.
Most ceramic stains usually consist of a mixture of metal oxides that are used to provide specific colors upon clay body and glaze application. For instance, iron oxide, which is used to produce a wide range of earthy hues, is commonly employed together with brown ceramic pigments.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, water pipes and pigments are among the contaminants most frequently discovered in ceramic pottery. This may cause exposure if such wares are used in food preparation.
