Zinc Sulfide Pigment
Zinc sulfide (or zinc sulphide) is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula of ZnS. This is the main form of zinc found in nature, where it mainly occurs as the mineral sphalerite. Although this mineral is usually black because of various impurities, the pure material is white, and it is widely used as a pigment. In its dense synthetic form, zinc sulfide can be transparent, and it is used as a window for visible optics and infrared optics.
Zinc oxide is one of the principal white pigments developed in the 18th century but became popular in art only until after the 1850s. It was more commonly known as zinc white or Chinese white.
Pigment Names | |
Common Names: | English: zinc oxide, zinc white French: oxyde de zinc, blanc de zinc German: Zinkoxid, Zinkweiss Italian: oxido di zinco, bianco di zinco Russian: цинковые белина Spanish: oxido de cinc, blanco de cinc |
Alternate Names: | Chinese white, calamine, philosopher's wool, Chinese white, flowers of zinc |
Origin and History
Zinc oxide, more commonly known in the art world as zinc white, is one of the three white pigments -- lead, titanium, and zinc -- used extensively for artistic and decorative paints. Although known since ancient times, zinc white was not seriously considered an artist's pigment until after the 1850s. The most comprehensive application of the pure pigment has been in watercolors, sold under the name Chinese white, but it is often found in mixtures with other pigments in oil and acrylic paints.
Source
Zinc oxide is widely available today, manufactured by numerous companies. The manufacturing process of zinc oxide is designated in commerce as the "indirect" or "French process" zinc oxide made from the metal and the "direct" or "American process," which is zinc oxide made from the ore and, hence, traditionally somewhat less pure. The terms nodular and acicular are used to describe the particle shapes.
Permanence and Compatibility
Zinc oxide paints tend to retain their original whiteness during aging, not only in watercolor but also in oil paint. Compared with other white pigments ground with oil, zinc oxide often exhibits the slightest tendency to yellow. The pigment tends to react with fatty acids present in drying oil, leading to the formation of zinc soaps. A soap is a metal salt of an organic acid. The particle size and morphology affect the reactivity of zinc oxide, with smaller particles being more reactive. In the case of linseed oil, the formation of zinc soaps from zinc oxide tends to harden the paint film. A 28-year study completed in 2007 by Mecklenburg and Tumosa of the Smithsonian Institution shows that zinc oxide can cause brittleness and delamination of oil paint film even when zinc oxide is used in small amounts. Zinc oxide tends to catalyze the formation of hydrogen peroxide when irradiated by near-ultraviolet light. This reaction and the formation of zinc soaps can cause chalking and embrittlement of oil paint films. Given these recent findings, we do not recommend using zinc white in the ground or underlayers of an oil painting and caution against its use in all oil paint.
Zinc white is compatible with all inorganic pigments. It is stable toward light in the sense that it does not discolor. However, owing to its photochemical reactivity, zinc oxide will affect the fading of various organic pigments. Zinc white will accelerate the light fading process of artists' paint that contain organic pigments, such as madder lake, alizarin lake, and Prussian Blue.
Oil Absorption and Grinding
Zinc oxide absorbs a moderate amount of oil. The oil absorption ratio varies considerably, at least from 20-25%, depending on the particle size and shape. Specific manufacturing procedures make it possible to produce pigment grades that demand less oil, 14-15% oil in paste.
Toxicity
Zinc oxide is not considered hazardous, but care should be used in handling the dry powder pigment to avoid inhaling the dust.
Rublev Colours Pigment: Zinc Oxide Pigment
Pigment Information | |
Color: | White |
Pigment Type: | Synthetic Inorganic |
Colour Index: | Pigment White 4 (77947) |
Chemical Name: | Zinc(II) Oxide |
Chemical Formula: | ZnO |
CAS No. | 1314-13-2 |
EC No. | 215-222-5 |
ASTM Lightfastness Rating | |
Acrylic: | I |
Oil: | I |
Watercolor: | I |
Physical Properties | |
Specific Gravity: | 5.4–5.7 |
Density: | 5.6 g/cm3 |
Hardness: | 4 |
Refractive Index: | ε=2.02, ω=2.00 |
SKU | 475-35 |
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Brand | Rublev Colours |
Vendor | Natural Pigments |
Processing Time | Usually ships the next business day. |
Color | White |
Pigment Type | Inorganic, Synthetic |
Health & Safety: There are no acute or known chronic health hazards with the anticipated use of this product (most chemicals are not thoroughly tested for chronic toxicity). Protect yourself against potentially unknown chronic hazards of this and other chemical products by avoiding ingestion, excessive skin contact, and inhaling spraying mists, sanding dust, and concentrated vapors from heating. Contact us for further information or consult the SDS for more information. Conforms to ASTM D-4236.
Order Processing
If the Processing Time for items in your order is "Usually ships within 24-48 hours", your order will usually be processed within 48 hours of receipt Monday through Friday. Orders received during weekends and holidays will be processed on the next business (working) day. Orders with longer processing times will be shipped when all items become available.
Shipping Rates
Please add your desired items and the delivery address to your basket to determine the exact shipping costs and options. The table below provides shipping rates for different weights to the countries we ship to.
Carriers
We use the following carriers to deliver orders:
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Below is an approximate guide to shipping costs for locations in Europe. Rates may change without notice.
COUNTRY | ALPHA-2 | RATES PER PARCELS | CARRIER | |
0–10 kg | >10 kg–30 kg | |||
Austria | AT | 11,50 € | 11,50 € | DPD |
Belgium | BE | 10,95 € | 10,95 € | DPD |
Bulgaria | BG | 20,25 € | 30,25 € | FedEx |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | BA | 49,25 € | 49,25 € | DPD |
Cyprus | CY | 21,80 € | 29,30 € | FedEx |
Switzerland | CH | 25,85 € | 42,98 € | FedEx |
Czech Republic | CZ | 12,00 € | 12,00 € | DPD |
Germany | DE | 5,50 € | 5,50 € | DPD |
Denmark | DK | 12,00 € | 12,00 € | DPD |
Spain | ES | 17,48 € | 28,50 € | FedEx |
Estonia | EE | 21,70 € | 21,70 € | DPD |
Finland | FI | 17,48 € | 28,50 € | FedEx |
France | FR | 14,60 € | 14,60 € | DPD |
United Kingdom | GB | – € | – € | – |
Greece | GR | 17,48 € | 28,50 € | FedEx |
Croatia | HR | 29,25 € | 29,25 € | DPD |
Hungary | HU | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
Ireland | IE | 17,48 € | 28,50 € | FedEx |
Iceland | IS | 30,70 € | 62,40 € | DHL |
Italy | IT | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
Liechtenstein | LI | 25,85 € | 43,00 € | FedEx |
Lithuania | LT | 21,70 € | 21,70 € | DPD |
Luxembourg | LU | 10,95 € | 10,95 € | DPD |
Latvia | LV | 21,70 € | 21,70 € | DPD |
Malta | MT | 21,80 € | 30,25 € | FedEx |
Monaco | MC | 15,95 € | 24,30 € | FedEx |
Netherlands | NL | 10,95 € | 10,95 € | DPD |
Norway | NO | 25,85 € | 43,00 € | FedEx |
Poland | PL | 14,90 € | 14,90 € | DPD |
Portugal | PT | 15,50 € | 15,50 € | DPD |
Romania | RO | 21,80 € | 30,25 € | FedEx |
Serbia | RS | 49,25 € | 49,25 € | DPD |
Slovakia | SK | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
Slovenia | SI | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
Sweden | SE | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
Turkey | TR | 27,30 € | 46,20 € | FedEx |
Note: Countries in RED type are not members of the European Union.
Postal Service
Shipping (EU and non-EU countries):
Up to 500 grams Tracked: 6,85 €
Up to 1000 grams Tracked: 10,45 €
Up to 2000 grams Tracked: 20,50 €
Tracking
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We track all orders where a tracked delivery service has been selected.
We will update your order with the tracking information if the shipping carrier provides a tracking number. You can locate the tracking number for your order in the shipping confirmation email you receive when your order is shipped. (Look for the email with the subject line "Natural Pigments: Shipment # xxxxxxxxx for Order # xxxxxxxxx.") You can also find the tracking number by signing into your account and visiting My Account Dashboard under Recent Orders.
VAT for Orders within the European Union
VAT is not included in prices unless specified on the website as VAT INCLUSIVE. VAT is calculated for Germany at 19% on both order subtotal and shipping cost and is added to the order grand total.
VAT, Duties, and Tariffs for Orders Outside of the European Union
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Shipping Rates
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Shipping Damage
For shipping damage, customers should file a claim with the carrier immediately. Any discrepancy, including wrong or missing items, should be reported to Natural Pigments within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt.
Back Orders
We do not accept backorders for out-of-stock items. If you order an out-of-stock item, we will email you when we expect that product to be available. You will be among the first to receive the item when it becomes available. Natural Pigments will not charge your credit card for out-of-stock items.