Sachtleben Technology

for Architectural and

Decorative Paints

Great Solutions with Small Particles

Great Solutions with Small Particles

Sachtleben is a leading producer of high quality chemical

products and supplies a unique range of white pigments,
functional additives, extenders and fillers for paint systems
and plastics. The company has a tradition extending back
over more than 125 years. Sachtleben produces particles
on the chemical basis of titanium dioxide, zinc sulfide and
barium sulfate, and markets these products around the
globe.
A particular focus in this context is on problem-solving
capabilities and technical service furnished directly on site
at the customers. A world-spanning network of branches,
agents and distributors makes Sachtleben a global player.
Sachtleben is certificated to Deutsche Gesellschaft fr
Qualittssicherung standards (ISO 9001 and 14001).

Sachtleben products for architectural / decorative paints and coatings

Ultrafine TiO2

TiO2
technology

Hiding TiO2

Rutile TiO2: SACHTLEBEN grades

Anatase TiO2: HOMBITAN grades

Photoactive

ZnS and BaSO4

technology

UV-Protection for wood lacquers: HOMBITEC grades

Photoactive surfaces: HOMBIKAT grades

ZnS

SACHTOLITH

ZnS / BaSO4

LITHOPHONE

BaSO4

BLANC FIXE
SACHTOPERSE

White Pigments - Titanium Dioxide

Sachtleben supplies a broad selection of titanium dioxide pigments for the paints and coatings industries. Our
recommendations for the decorative sector are introduced
in this brochure. There are other Sachtleben grades that
can be also used highly efficiently, depending on the
customers requirements and aims. Additional information
is available from our technical service.
Rutile pigments with high weathering resistance

Rutile pigments with very high weathering resistance

SACHTLEBEN R 660

SACHTLEBEN RKB 6

alumina-silica-polyol surface treated rutile

high exterior durability
neutral undertone
recommended e.g. to gloss and semi-gloss coatings

SACHTLEBEN RKB 2

alumina-zirconia-polyol surface treated rutile

outstanding very high exterior durability,
colour stability and gloss
neutral/slightly bluish undertone
recommended e.g. glossy exterior coatings

alumina-silica-polyol surface treated rutile

high exterior durability
warm undertone
recommended e.g. to semi-gloss and matt coatings

Typical properties of TiO2 grades from Sachtleben (guideline data only)

Characteristics

RKB 6

R 660

RKB 2

Crystal structure

Rutile

Rutile

Rutile

Very high

High

High

Weather resistance
TiO2 [%]
Surface treatment
Tint reducing power L*
grey paste
Undertone b*
grey paste
Oil absorption [g/100g]
Particle size d50 [m]

94 94 94
AI, Zr, org.

AI, Si, org.

AI, Si, org.

63.7

64.2

63.4

-7.0
neutral/sl. bluish

-7.2
neutral/sl. bluish

-6.4
warm

22

21

21

0.37

0.38

0.47

Laser diffraction
Malvern Mastersizer 2000

Performance advantages thanks to

Sachtleben TiO2 expertise

Particle size distribution (Malvern Mastersizer 2000)

of multipurpose TiO2 grades
Sachtleben average

Opacity

Particle-size distribution has a significant influence on

the performance of TiO2 pigments in paint and coating
systems. Sachtleben possesses many years of experience
in careful control of particle size in its production processes. All Sachtleben TiO2 grades possess optimized
particle-size distribution and surface treatments carefully
tailored to the pigments ultimate uses. The narrow
particle-size distribution of our multipurpose TiO2 grades
shown in the figure below assures reliable and consistently
good performance in your application - superior hiding
power and tint reduction, high gloss, excellent durability.

Competitor Group 1
Competitor Group 2
Competitor Group 3

Volume intensity

Optimized crystal and particle size

Dispersion, gloss

Particle size

Particle-size distribution (Malvern Mastersizer 2000) of

multipurpose TiO2 grades. The Sachtleben group of rutile
TiO2 grades is highly competitive, with a narrow particlesize distribution and high optical efficiency in all cases.

Hiding power

Optimum hiding power is attained when the particles are

homogeneously dispersed. The excellent dispersibility and
narrow particle size distribution of Sachtleben TiO2 grades
play a significant role in achieving best possible hiding
power.

Hiding power of TiO2 pigments as

Scattering Co-efficient of high gloss emulsion paints

160
Scattering Co-efficient

is the result, essentially, of the interaction between the

refractive index, crystal size and final particle size of the
pigment. Rutile and anatase TiO2 both have a high refractive index, of 2.7 and 2.55, respectively.

150

140

130

120
R 660

RKB 6

Comp1

Comp2 Comp3

Comp4 Comp5

Sachtleben supplies pigments covering the entire range of

paints, from high gloss to matt high PVC systems.
Hiding power of TiO2 pigments as Scattering Co-efficient
of matt emulsion paints with P.V.C of 70 %

SACHTLEBEN RKB 6 and R 660 are all-round grades for

various formulations and RKB 2 e.g. for high P.V.C. matt
paints.

100

Scattering Co-efficient

90

80

70

60

50
R 660

RKB 6

RKB 2

Comp1

Comp2

Comp3

Performance advantages thanks to

Sachtleben TiO2 expertise

Tint reducing power and undertone

Tint reducing power and undertone of SACHTLEBEN rutile

grades in gloss grey emulsion paint (PVC 19 %)
-3.5

Undertone b* from blusih

to warm yellowish

-3.8

Comp4

-4.0
-4.3
Comp5

-4.5

RKB 2

-4.8

Comp1

-5.0
R 660

-5.3

Comp3

-5.5
RKB 6

-5.8

Comp2

-6.0
70.0

70.2

70.4

70.6

70.8

71.0

71.2

71.4

71.6

71.8

The tint reducing power of TiO2 pigments can also be

described as the ability to lighten the original colour of a
paint. TiO2 has a higher tint reducing power compared
to other white pigments, as a result of its high refractive
index. Its narrow particle size distribution assures good hiding power, in addition to excellent tint reducing power
and positive effects on undertone. In general, the smaller the particle size the stronger the tint reducing power
and the bluer the undertone. Sachtleben supplies pigment
products for the entire undertone range, e.g. neutral or
slightly bluish R 660 & RKB 6 and warm yellowish RKB 2.

Tint reducing power L* increases

Tint reducing power and undertone of SACHTLEBEN rutile

grades in matt grey emulsion paint (PVC 70 %)

Ease of dispersion, dispersion stability

-3.0

Undertone b* from blusih

to warm yellowish

-3.3
-3.5
-3.8
RKB 2

-4.0
-4.3
-4.5
Comp1

-4.8
Comp3

-5.0
-5.3

RKB 6

R 660

67.5

68

Comp2

-5.5
66.5

67

68.5

69

69.5

Tint reducing power L* increases

Dispersant demand (ammonium salt of an acrylic copolymer)

in a 70 % aqueous slurry of TiO2
1000000

AI203-ZrO2 treated type RD 3/RKB 6

AI203-SiO2 treated type R 660/RKB 6

Viscosity, mPas

10000

1000

100

10
0.0

0.2

0.4
0.6
Dispersant amount, % of TiO2

0.8

1.0

Surface treatment, in combination with the particle-size

distribution of TiO2 pigments, determines ease of dispersion and dispersion stability. Sachtleben TiO2 pigments
are designed to permit extremely easy wetting and rapid
dispersion in both solvent- and water-based systems. The
superior dispersibility of our pigments assures low energy
consumptions, high productivity, shorter dispersion times
and improved product quality. The excellent dispersibility
and optimized particle-size distribution of Sachtleben
pigments enhance optical performance, e.g. hiding and
tint-reducing power. Surface treatment and particle-size
distribution interact to make the oil absorption and wetting properties of our pigment grades unique. In waterborne systems, in particular, the dispersion process can be
improved by input of an optimized amount of a suitable
dispersion agent. The amount of pigment in the mill base
can be increased, and milling time cut. The typically low
dispersion-agent demand of Sachtleben grades is shown
on the graph.

Gloss

20 gloss of white high gloss emulsion paint

70
65
60
20 gloss

Gloss is a function of the surface roughness of a coating film. In general, the larger the particle size of TiO2
pigment, the lower the gloss of the coating. Sachtleben
has always attached special importance to controlling
and adjusting particle size distribution and to reducing
oversized particle content. Sachtleben thus supplies
optimized solutions for the most demanding high gloss
applications.

55
50
45
40
35
30
R 660

Weathering resistance in exterior

decorative coatings

Comp1

Comp2 Comp3

Comp4 Comp5

Exterior durability expressed as gloss retention in

waterborne urethane paints exposed in Florida

60 gloss

Titanium dioxide itself possesses photocatalytic properties. The TiO2 surface must therefore be covered with a
suitable layer, consisting, for example, of alumina, silica
and/or zirconium oxide, and to prevent direct contact
between the surface of the TiO2 and the binder and inhibit photo-catalytic degradation. In addition to surface
treatment, various properties of the TiO2 crystals, such as
rutile content, impurities and stabilization, also have an
influence on durability. Sachtleben grades are designed
to meet all durability requirements. SACHTLEBEN aluminazirconia surface treated type RKB 6 shows a very high
durability for use in all demanding applications. Aluminasilica treated rutile grades SACHTLEBEN R 660 and RKB 2
are competitive choices for various decorative exterior
applications.

RKB 6

AI2O3 -ZRO2 treated RD 3/RKB 6

AI2O3 -SiO2 treated R 660/RKB 2
Comp 1
Comp 2
Comp 3

10

12

Exposure time, months

14

16

18

20

White Pigments - LITHOPONE

Paint manufacturers are constantly seeking ways of reducing their production costs. Correct choice of raw
materials makes a decisive contribution to significant
cost reductions. The price of titanium dioxide and binders and additives on the world market is one of the
major cost factors in production of decorative emulsion paints. The use of LITHOPONE, the alternative
white pigment, can provide the key to achieving cost
reductions without loss of quality. Both titanium dioxide and binder/additive contents can be optimized by
means of partial replacement with LITHOPONE 30% L
without any sacrifice of the emulsion paints technical
properties.

Example of partial replacement of titanium dioxide and

extenders with LITHOPONE 30 % L in an emulsion paint

Replacement of TiO2
with Sachtleben
LITHOPONE 30% L

Original

Corrected
formulation

Extender
coarse
Extender
coarse

By volume
% TiO2
% Total
white Pigment

Extender
coarse

Extender
fine

Extender
fine

Extender
fine

Sachtleben
LITHOPONE
30% L

Sachtleben
LITHOPONE
30% L

TiO2

TiO2

TiO2

25

8
42

10
53

LITHOPONE 30% L
is a white pigment produced on the basis of a coprecipitated zinc sulfide/barium sulfate at a ratio of approx. 30:70.
Zinc sulfide acts as a white scattering pigment with a refractive index of approx. 2.37, while barium sulfate acts as
a spacer for white pigment particles. LITHOPONE 30% L
is recommended for partial replacement of titanium dioxide, binders, additives and extenders in putties and in
decorative emulsion paints. Further information and detailed guidelines for reformulation can be found in the
LITHOPONE in coatings leaflet.

Inorganic Additives

Ultrafine TiO2 for UV-protection

HOMBITEC RM 400

The crystal size of pigmentary titanium dioxide is around

200300 nm, that of ultrafine titanium dioxide around 1015
nm. Pigmentary titanium dioxide scatters visible light most
efficiently and imparts good hiding power, whereas ultrafine
titanium dioxide effectively absorbs UV light and transmits visible wavelengths through the crystal. Ultrafine TiO2 thus no
longer exhibits pigmentary properties but is, instead, transparent, and can therefore be used as an efficient inorganic UV
absorber in pigmented systems and in clear coatings.
Inorganic HOMBITEC incorporated into coatings does not
migrate. The UV-absorption characteristics if HOMBITEC thus
remain constant throughout the coating lifetimeunlike the
situation with common organic UV absorbers, which lose
their performance as time progresses due to weathering, migration and destruction.

Additional information and detailed guidelines for reformulation can be found in the HOMBITECthe inorganic
UV absorber for long-term protection leaflet.

Thanks to its small particle size, ultrafine HOMBITEC titanium dioxide does
not scatter visible light, and is therefore transparent in clear coating systems
100

scattering power [%]

HOMBITEC

80
60
40

TiO2 pigment grade

20
0

particle size [%]

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

HOMBITEC product range for UV protection

Characteristics

RM 110

RM 300

RM 400

Crystal structure

rutile

rutile

rutile

Crystal size [nm]

approx. 10

approx. 15

approx. 10

white

brownish

yellowish

approx. 100

approx. 70

approx. 110

very good

good

very good

good

very good

very good

approx. 79

approx. 87

approx. 78

wood/general

general

wood

Powder appearance
Specific surface area [m2/g]
Transparency
UV-protection
TiO2 content [%]
Applications

Inorganic Additives

Photoactive surfaces
Titanium dioxide exhibits photosemiconductor crystal
properties. Highly reactive oxygen and hydroxyl species
are formed when photoactive TiO2 is exposed to visible
light or UV radiation in the presence of oxygen and water.
These reactive species are capable of degrading organic
compounds and converting NOx compounds to nitrates.
This effect can be exploited to create functional surfaces,
such as self-cleaning coatings and air-pollution-degrading surfaces. Sachtleben has developed two untreated,
pure-anatase-based products - HOMBIKAT UV 100 and
HOMBIKAT N 100 - for photocatalytic applications. Typical
characteristics are shown in the following table.

Typical properties of
HOMBIKAT UV 100 and N 100

Principle of photoactivity of titanium

dioxide used for functional surfaces

UV 100

N 100

Crystal form

anatase

anatase

<10

20

Crystal size [nm]

NOx
NOx

O2

Recommended applications

Additional information and detailed guidelines for reformulation can be found in the Sachtleben Technology
for photoactive surfaces.

CO2
H2 O

Degrading of lubricating oil via the photocatalytic

action of HOMBIKAT on the surface of concrete,
in the course of outdoor exposure.

without TiO2

0 months

2 % N100

HOMBIKAT UV 100 is recommended for interior and exterior coatings. HOMBIKAT N 100 is mainly used to keep the
surfaces of outdoor concrete and cement-based materials
clean. An example of the degradation of organic fouling
by HOMBIKAT is shown in the figure.

TiO2

OH

98

nitrates

> 90

TiO2

100

organic
pollutants

- OH
O
O2

O2 H2 O O
H 2O

TiO2 [%]

> 300

2O

Particle size d50, m 1 2

Specific surface area [m2/g]

Photocatalytic reaction

Photoactivation

O2 - O

Characteristics

6 months

12 months

Functional Fillers

Sachtlebens synthetic barium sulfates have been familiar

on the coatings market for more than one hundred years.
Originally used as extenders for simple low-cost systems,
in the course of time they have continuously gained in
importance as inorganic additives for special high-quality
coatings. Special production methods, various inorganic treatments and the design of special crystallites now
permit customized solutions for the most diverse range
of requirements. Synthetic barium sulfate is totally inert
under normal conditions, and possesses high resistance to
outdoor exposure.

Main products from BLANC FIXE range for use

in decorative and architectural coatings

rF

pe

C
AN

The synthetic barium sulfates of the BLANC FIXE range,

and BLANC FIXE micro, in particular, are used as functional extenders in coatings. They make it possible to reduce
formulation costs and also to enhance the efficiency of
the pigments used. Barium sulfate particles act as optimum spacers for pigment particles. BLANC FIXE micro, for
example, is widely used for partial replacement of both
white and coloured pigments (approx. 10% wt. in each
case), with no loss of optical performance characteristics,
such as gloss, hiding power and colour strength. This modification alone can achieve significant raw-materials costsavings for white and coloured pigments.

FI

N
LA

BL

Pigment stabilization and replacement

XE

XE

FI

u
/S
C

N
LA

XE

icr

FI

HP

TO

H
AC

0.7

S
ER

0.2

S
ER

HU

TO

H
AC

0.04 m

spacer concept
Flocculated pigment particles show lower scattering power compared to well dispersed separated pigment particles due to an overlap of the scattering cross sections.
Barium sulfate liberates the hidden scattering power by
separating the pigment particles so they can keep the distance.

Inert barium sulfate particles act as spacers between pigment particles

Pigment particle

Spacer
Scattering cross section

10

Functional Fillers

Partial replacement of TiO2

Partial replacement of TiO2

Identical TiO2
content additional
BLANC FIXE micro

Basic formulation

Alkyd resin

65

65

65

Rutile

20 18

BLANC FIXE micro

Additives

2 2

Solvents

13 13

20
2
2
13

PVC TiO2 [%]

12.4 11.1

12.2

PVC total [%]

12.4

12.8

13.3

Gloss 20

80

81

80

Gloss 60

90

91

91

Scattering Power [mm-1]

116 120

The pigment-stabilizing action of BLANC FIXE micro permits replacement of between 5 and to 15% of titanium dioxide and coloured pigments. An example of the modified
formulation is shown below. Additional information on the
properties and use of BLANC FIXE micro can be found in
the BLANC FIXE micro for high-quality coatingsleaflet.

11

Same hiding
power

134

Extra hiding
power

Functional Fillers and Inorganic Additives

Pigment Pastes

even a higher tinting strength after the same grinding time.

Plot of tinting strength for Hostaperm Violet

without micro

200

15 % micro
20 % micro

Tinting strength [%]

Pigments are the highest-cost component in pigment-paste

formulations. Every pigmentation system should, for this reason, be designed to be as effective and efficient as possible. BLANC FIXE micro a material with a particle size d50 of
~0.7m, is the all-round talent for every highly extended paste.
Use of BLANC FIXE micro in grinding pigment pastes achieves
the same tinting strength after a shorter grinding time, or

175

150

125

100
10

20

40

60

90

120

180

minutes Skandex - dispersion

SACHTOPERSE HU
a material with a d50 of ~0.04 m, is notable in particular for
its totally haze-free incorporation into coatings. SACHTOPERSE can therefore be highly recommended for black pigment
preparations on a carbon-black basis, and dark red and blue
hues, where BLANC FIXE micro may not be sufficiently transparent.

Additional information and detailed guidelines for formulation modification can be found in the Functional Additives for
colour pastes and pigment preparations leaflet.

12

Sachtleben recommendations for

Architectural and Decorative Paints

Our principle recommendations for architectural and decorative paints are shown in the following tables. In addition, other Sachtleben grades can also be used highly
efficiently and effectively, depending on the customers
ultimate requirements and aims.

White pigments

SACHTLEBEN R 660

SACHTLEBEN

LITHOPONE

Rutile TiO2

BaSO4 / ZnS

SACHTLEBEN RKB 2

SACHTLEBEN RKB 6

30 % L

Gloss interior
Gloss exterior
Semigloss interior
Semigloss exterior
Matt
Concrete
Paste & Pigment Preparations

Inorganic additives
and Functional fillers

HOMBITEC

HOMBIKAT

LITHOPONE

BLANC FIXE

SACHTOPERSE

Ultrafine TiO2

Photocatalytic TiO2

BaSO4/ZnS

BaSO4

BaSO4

RM 402 WP
Clear lacquers (UV protection)
Waterborne
Solvent based
Gloss
Semigloss
Matt paints
Concrete
Easy cleaning/self cleaning
Paste & Pigment Preparations

13

RM 403 LP

UV 100

N 100

30 % L

micro

HU-N

Personal service with local contacts

Quickly and easily reachable

Sustainable economic management

As an international corporation, Sachtleben thinks globally

and at the same time attaches the greatest importance to
local presence and closeness to its customers. Sachtlebens
own support bases on various continents coordinate
the companys worldwide service. Meaning, for you: a
local contact, who has been allied with Sachtleben for
many years, but nonetheless has precise and detailed
knowledge of local circumstances, is there to deal with
all your questions and enquiries. Fast is reachability
guaranteed.

Acceptance of enormous responsibility is a vitally necessary part of producing chemical products. Sachtleben
upholds the principles of Responsible Care and Sustainable Development, and implements this philosophy
consistently. The companys own waste-acid recovery
plant in 1989 made Sachtleben the first no-dumping
titanium dioxide producer. Sachtleben assures energy
supplies to its production facilities by means of its own
self-sufficient power generating plants, which operate
using efficient technologies and are fueled with regenerable feed materials. Sachtleben also integrated modern
waste-gas cleaning systems into its production at an
early stage, and continues to the present day to invest
in sustainable environmental technologies to protect
both humanity and the environment.

Advisor, innovation partner and

trouble-shooter
The Technical Service team is on hand to provide rapid
assistance when new products are launched or if problems
occur in production. Continuous support and advice on
process optimization is a further focus. Customers also
benefit from the constant high quality of Sachtleben
products, monitored and documented by our own
analytical laboratories. The scientists and laboratory
specialists working there put their analytical capabilities and ultramodern analytical methods, including the
scanning electron microscope (SEM), at the service of all
customers, assisting as advisors and trouble-shooters.

14

Sachtleben does not guarantee the accuracy, topicality, correctness, completeness, quality or usefulness of any information provided.
Any liability claims in connection with such information are excluded.
04.125.02.13.e

Great Solutions with Small Particles

Sachtleben Chemie GmbH
P.O. Box 17 04 54 D-47184 Duisburg/Germany
E-Mail: info@sachtleben.com www.sachtleben.com

Sales Office Coatings:

Phone +358 10 430 1805
E-Mail: coatings@sachtleben.com