Lead-free paint systems face significant challenges in achieving the color intensity and hiding power of traditional lead-based formulations. Current pigment systems struggle to match the 96-98% opacity levels of lead chromate yellows, while maintaining stability across varying pH levels (4-9) and temperature ranges (-40°C to 80°C) common in industrial applications.

The fundamental challenge lies in balancing chromatic performance and opacity with the environmental and regulatory requirements that drive lead-free formulations.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including titanium dioxide enhancement systems, manganese oxide-based alternatives, novel ceramic pigment compositions, and water-based glass ink technologies. These and other approaches focus on achieving comparable performance metrics while meeting increasingly stringent environmental standards.

1. Ceramic Glaze Screen Pigment Comprising Specific Oxide Composition with Controlled Pigment-to-Flux Ratio

FOSHAN JINYANSHENG NEW MATERIALS CO LTD, 2024

A lead-free, lithium-free, and re-fire-free ceramic glaze screen pigment and preparation method that addresses the limitations of traditional ceramic glaze production. The pigment composition comprises silicon dioxide, boron trioxide, aluminum oxide, bismuth oxide, fluorine, sodium oxide, potassium oxide, barium oxide, tin oxide, magnesium oxide, and zinc oxide. The pigment composition achieves superior chemical stability, gloss, and thermal resistance through a unique combination of fluxes and pigment formulations. The pigment preparation method involves precise control of the pigment-to-flux weight ratio, with the pigment component ranging from 8% to 30% and the flux component ranging from 70% to 92%. This composition enables the production of lead-free, lithium-free, and re-fire-free ceramic glaze screen pigments that meet the requirements of ceramic decoration applications.

CN119161103A-patent-drawing

2. Manganese Oxide-Based Inorganic Pigment with Specific Elemental Composition and Unique Crystal Structure

TOMATEC CO LTD, 2022

Orange-based inorganic pigment that provides vibrant, non-toxic alternatives to conventional cadmium-based pigments. The pigment, comprising a manganese oxide with specific elemental composition, achieves the desired orange color through its unique crystal structure. This pigment has been found to exhibit superior color intensity compared to conventional cadmium-based pigments, while maintaining environmental safety. The pigment can be formulated into a wide range of applications, including coatings, resins, and paints, and is particularly suitable for use in cosmetics, food packaging, and architectural coatings.

JP2022114385A-patent-drawing

3. Pigment Composition with Yellow Organic Pigments, Titanium Dioxide, and Inorganic Fillers for Enhanced Hiding Power

JUNG MYEONG HWAN, 2022

A pigment composition for eco-friendly paints that combines yellow organic pigments with titanium dioxide to achieve superior hiding power. The composition replaces conventional inorganic pigments like PY34 with a yellow inorganic pigment, PY83, and incorporates precipitated barium sulfate and calcium carbonate. The titanium dioxide enhances hiding power through its high refractive index. This composition provides excellent color retention without the need for heavy metal-based pigments or organic extenders.

WO2022107937A1-patent-drawing

4. Inorganic Orange Pigment Comprising Sn2xZnxTi2yNbyO7.6 Composite with Liquid Phase Precipitation and Sintering Method

JINGDEZHEN CERAMIC INSTITUTE, Jingdezhen Ceramic University, 2021

A novel, environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and high-quality inorganic orange pigment that replaces traditional heavy metal-containing pigments. The pigment is a solid phase composite with a chemical composition of Sn2xZnxTi2yNbyO7.6, 0.4WxW1.3, 0.4W1.0. The pigment achieves bright colors with excellent weather resistance and thermal stability, while maintaining good color rendering properties. The preparation method involves liquid phase precipitation followed by sintering at specific temperatures to achieve the desired composition and microstructure.

5. Manufacturing Method for Low-Temperature Lead-Free Jade Green Glaze with Controlled Raw Material Ratio

YIXING JINYU CERAMICS CO LTD, 2021

A low-temperature lead-free jade green glaze manufacturing method for achieving high-quality, smooth, and consistent glaze production. The method involves a novel approach to preparing the glaze formulation, specifically through the use of a controlled ratio of raw materials. The glaze formulation is then processed through ball milling and sieving to achieve the desired composition. The prepared glaze is then applied to a high-temperature biscuit-fired blank, where it undergoes controlled firing to produce a high-quality, lead-free jade green glaze.

6. Lead-Free Metallic Luster Glaze with Rare Earth Oxides and Single-Step Firing Process

JINGDEZHEN CERAMIC INST, 2020

A lead-free metallic luster glaze and ceramics preparation method for ceramics that achieve metallic luster without lead. The glaze composition includes rare earth oxides, which replace lead in the traditional lead-boron system, while maintaining the glaze's high gloss and smooth surface properties. The method involves a single-step firing process that generates uniform crystal grains of uniform size through controlled heating, followed by selective addition of rare earth oxides to enhance color and metallic luster. The resulting glaze exhibits excellent environmental sustainability and human health safety characteristics, making it ideal for decorative ceramics applications.

CN111233328A-patent-drawing

7. Porcelain Glaze Composition with Na2O, K2O, MgO, ZrO2, ZnO, and SnO2 for High Thermal Stability and Chemical Resistance

CHINA LIGHT INDUSTRY CERAMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE, China National Light Industry Ceramics Research Institute, 2020

A lead-free, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic glaze for the pastel rolling process in porcelain production. The glaze, comprising a base of Na2O, K2O, MgO, ZrO2, ZnO, and SnO2, maintains high thermal stability and chemical resistance while achieving the desired color characteristics. The glaze's unique composition enables the production of traditional harrow colors with excellent gloss retention and environmental sustainability.

8. Lead-Free Porcelain Pigments Comprising Quartz and Metal Oxides with Enhanced Stability and Aesthetic Properties

CHINA LIGHT INDUSTRY CERAMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE, China National Light Industry Ceramics Research Institute, 2020

Lead-free, environmentally friendly pastel snow white pigments for porcelain production that achieve the same aesthetic properties as traditional lead-based pigments while addressing the environmental and health concerns associated with lead-containing products. The pigments contain a combination of quartz, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, strontium, and lead-free alternatives that meet strict environmental standards while maintaining excellent acid resistance, alkali resistance, thermal stability, and decorative properties. The formulation enables the production of snow white pigments with a controlled lead content, eliminating the need for lead-based pigments and their associated environmental and health risks.

9. Manufacturing Process for Yellow Pigment Comprising Praseodymium Zirconium Oxide, Red Ochre, and Calcium Carbonate with Defined Particle Size Distribution

AIST, 2019

A manufacturing process for a stable, non-toxic, and durable yellow pigment for road markings that replaces lead chromate-based paints. The pigment combines praseodymium zirconium oxide, red ochre, and calcium carbonate powders with a specific particle size distribution, achieving a color consistent with the "5.5YR6.5/12" Munsell display standard. The pigment is formulated with a water-white resin and is suitable for use in road marking paints, particularly for traffic lines and signs.

10. Lead-Free Enamel Base Glaze with Specific Oxide Composition for Controlled Expansion and High Gloss

China Light Industry Ceramics Research Institute, CHINA LIGHT INDUSTRY CERAMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE, 2019

Lead-free enamel base glaze with improved environmental sustainability, durability, and aesthetic properties. The glaze comprises a composition of 7-11% of α2O3, 18-26% of β2O3, 2-5% of K2O, 2-5% of Na2O, 3-6% of MgO, 2-5% of CaO, and 3-6% of ZnO, with 3-5% of Li2O to control expansion. This composition balances refractive index, flow, and surface tension for traditional lead-free glaze characteristics. The glaze can be fired at 820-860°C, achieving bright colors and high gloss while maintaining environmental and thermal stability.

11. Lead-Free Ceramic On-Glaze Blue Pigment with Low-Temperature Flux and Novel Processing Sequence

Zibo Huawei Pigment Co., Ltd., ZIBO HUAWEI PIGMENT CO LTD, 2019

Lead-free, low-temperature, low-cobalt ceramic on-glaze blue pigment and its preparation method, which replaces traditional lead oxide with a lead-free flux. The pigment is prepared through a novel processing sequence that combines the flux with lead-free toner, followed by milling and drying to produce a fine powder. This composition enables the production of ceramic decorations without lead, while maintaining their traditional blue color and performance characteristics.

12. Lead-Free Frit Base Glaze with Specific Oxide Composition for Enhanced Color Development in Ceramic Glazes

YIXING JINYU CERAM CO LTD, 2019

A lead-free frit base glaze that enhances the color development of colored oxides in ceramic glazes. The frit combines a lead-free base with a specific oxide composition, achieving meltability and stability while maintaining color intensity and uniformity. The combination enables the production of glazes with bright, soft, and stable colors suitable for mass production.

13. Zinc Oxide-Based Frit with Specific Calcium-to-Zinc Molar Ratio for Red Paint Applications

KYOTO CITY INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, 2018

Unleaded fritto for red paint implements containing a zinc oxide-based fritto that enhances color stability and durability. The fritto composition includes a zinc oxide-based fritto with a calcium-to-zinc molar ratio of 0.2 to 0.35, along with other oxides like silica, aluminum, and boron. This composition provides superior color retention and resistance to exfoliation during high-temperature calcination, making it suitable for applications requiring low-temperature firing. The fritto maintains its color intensity even when combined with iron-based system compounds, ensuring consistent performance across various firing conditions.

14. Inorganic Pigment Comprising Titanium Dioxide, Calcium Oxide, and Kaolin with Controlled Calcination-Induced Grain Uniformity

HANDAN SHENGHUO CERAM PROPPANT CO LTD, 2018

Inorganic pigment for coloring building materials, comprising titanium dioxide, calcium oxide, and kaolin in a specific weight ratio. The pigment is produced through a controlled calcination process that achieves uniform grain size and distribution, resulting in a stable, consistent pigment with improved performance characteristics compared to conventional inorganic pigments.

15. Perovskite-Based Oxynitride Pigment Comprising Strontium and Magnesium with Variable Band Gap Energy

Research Cooperation Foundation of Yeungnam University, 2018

Perovskite-based oxynitride pigment with enhanced thermal stability and color performance. The pigment combines strontium and magnesium as the alkaline earth metal and transition metal components, respectively, with nitrogen as the oxygen and nitrogen component. The resulting pigment achieves a band gap energy of 1.9-2.5 eV and exhibits superior color development characteristics, including a wide light absorption range (L* value of 60.2-83.4) and a broad color gamut (a* value of 0-18.0). The pigment maintains its stability and color intensity even at elevated temperatures, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to cadmium-based red pigments.

KR20180079945A-patent-drawing

16. Copper-Based Pigment System for Red Coloration in Low-Fired Glass and Enamel Compositions

FERRO CORP, 2018

Low-fired, high-strength glass and enamel compositions that impart red color to glass panels, enamel coatings, plastics, and other substrates through a novel copper-based pigment system. The compositions contain a frit containing tin and copper oxides, which are reduced to form copper particles during firing. The copper particles react with tin ions to produce a deep, vibrant red color without the use of cadmium, lead, or chromium. The compositions can be formulated with various additives to enhance performance characteristics.

17. Bismuth-Calcium-Titanium-Magnesium Oxide Yellow Pigment with Calcination-Derived Compound Structure

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 2017

Yellow pigment for plastics, paints, and resins that replaces expensive materials like cadmium, nickel, and antimony while maintaining safety and environmental benefits. The pigment, comprising bismuth oxide, calcium oxide, titanium oxide, and a magnesium oxide-titanium oxide mixture, achieves a high color intensity without the toxicity concerns associated with traditional yellow pigments. The pigment can be produced through a widely applicable calcination process that balances reaction temperature and time to achieve a stable, heat-resistant compound oxide. The resulting pigment can be formulated into powder or liquid form for various applications.

JP2017077990A-patent-drawing

18. Fluorosilicone-Based Paint Composition with Lead-Free Chrome for Vibrant Color Retention

TAIZHOU PUZHOU PAINT FACTORY, 2015

A lead-free, environmentally friendly paint that achieves vibrant colors through a fluorosilicone-based system. The paint combines lead-free chrome with fluorosilicone to create a water-based coating that maintains its bright appearance while eliminating lead toxicity.

CN104927501A-patent-drawing

19. Method for Producing Red Glass and Ceramics Using Copper-Based Glass Frits with Specific Oxide Ratios

FERRO CORP, 2015

A novel method for achieving deep, vibrant red colors in glass and ceramics through the use of copper-based glass frits. The method involves creating glass frit compositions with specific ratios of silicon dioxide, sodium oxide, potassium oxide, tin oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, barium oxide, and copper oxide. The frits are melted at high temperatures and then fired to form a glass with red color. A unique reaction between copper ions and tin ions in the frit creates a stable copper-tin oxide compound that exchanges sodium ions with copper ions in the glass, resulting in the desired red color. This process eliminates the need for cadmium-based pigments and provides a durable, lead-free red color.

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