Chemistry:Xirallic

From HandWiki

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][3]

It was developed and patented by researchers of the company Merck KGaA in Japan.[4] Because the pigment was produced at a single plant in Onahama,[5] production was severally curtailed following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[6] The shortage of the pigment caused Ford and Chrysler to restrict the availability of cars and trucks in some red and black paints.[7] The shortage also affected other automobile makes. Hyundai replaced Xirallic with mica in their paints.[8] The plant reopened on 8 May 2011.[9]

See also

  • Alumina effect pigment

References

  1. Andrea Adelson (29 September 2000). "Next, a Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Color-Shifting Baby". New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/29/automobiles/next-a-kandy-kolored-tangerine-flake-color-shifting-baby.html?pagewanted=2&src=pm. 
  2. Phil Patton (13 June 2005). "Harvest Season for the '08 Car Colors". New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/13/automobiles/13CARS.html. 
  3. "Xirallic Vs Mica: What’s The Real Difference? - CANDE SHOP" (in en-US). 2025-06-09. https://thecandeshop.com/xirallic-vs-mica/. 
  4. Bennett, Jeff (11 March 2011). "Quake Spurs Supplier". Wall Street Journal. https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703712504576232980626319082. 
  5. Neal E. Boudette, Jeff Bennett (March 26, 2011). "Pigment Shortage Hits Auto Makers". Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703696704576222990521120106. 
  6. Brett Davis (30 March 2011). "Xirallic paint shortage due to Japan earthquake". Car Advice. http://www.caradvice.com.au/112769/xirallic-paint-shortage-due-to-japan-earthquake/. 
  7. Peter Valdes-Dapena (28 March 2011). "Ford, Chrysler restrict colors for new cars". CNN Money. https://money.cnn.com/2011/03/26/autos/ford_chrysler_car_paint_japan/. 
  8. Deepa Seetharaman; Alina Selyukh (20 April 2011). "Hyundai finds solution for pigment shortage". Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-autoshow-hyundai-paint-idUSTRE73K08C20110421. 
  9. "UPDATE 1-Quake-hit paint plant reopens in Japan". Reuters. May 10, 2011. https://www.reuters.com/article/autos-paint-idUSN109734720110510.