ASTM D79-86(2009)

Standard Specification for Zinc Oxide Pigments

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the properties and requirements for the pigment commercially known as "zinc white" or zinc oxide, which may be purchased either in the dry or paste in oil forms. Dry pigments, which may be processed either by the French process or American process, shall conform individually to required compositions of zinc oxide, total sulfur, moisture and other volatile matter, total impurities (including moisture and other volatile matter), and coarse particles (total residue retained on a No. 325 sieve). Conversely, pigments in the paste in oil form shall adhere to required composition of the pigment, linseed oil, moisture and other volatile matter, and coarse particles and skins (total residue retained on a No. 325 sieve). Pigments shall also be tested for tinting strength, and oil absorption by Gardner-Coleman and spatula rub-out methods.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Zinc oxide functions as both a chemical and a pigment. It is used in a variety of applications including rubber, paint, reprography, glass, chemicals, etc. In paint, it contributes to mildew protection, ultraviolet absorption, hiding power, and neutralization of acids formed upon oxidation of the paint film.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the pigments commercially known as “zinc white” or zinc oxide. The pigments may be purchased in the dry form or as a paste in oil.
Note 1—Zinc oxides are used in many industries. For additional information, see Classification D 4295 and Test Methods D 4315 for descriptions of zinc oxide use in rubber compounding.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2009
• ICS: 87.060.10 - Pigments and extenders
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.31 - Pigment Specifications

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D79-86(2004) - Standard Specification for Zinc Oxide Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2009
• Replaced By: ASTM D79-86(2014) - Standard Specification for Zinc Oxide Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D4302-14(2021) - Standard Specification for Artists’ Oil, Resin-Oil, and Alkyd Paints
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2009

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D79 −86(Reapproved 2009) American Association State
Highway and Transportation Officials Standard
AASHTO No.: M124
Standard Specification for
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Zinc Oxide Pigments
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationD79;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
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1. Scope Microscopy (Withdrawn 1994)
1.1 This specification covers the pigments commercially
3. Significance and Use
known as “zinc white” or zinc oxide. The pigments may be
3.1 Zinc oxide functions as both a chemical and a pigment.
purchased in the dry form or as a paste in oil.
It is used in a variety of applications including rubber, paint,
NOTE 1—Zinc oxides are used in many industries. For additional
reprography, glass, chemicals, etc. In paint, it contributes to
information, see Classification D4295 and Test Methods D4315 for
mildew protection, ultraviolet absorption, hiding power, and
descriptions of zinc oxide use in rubber compounding.
neutralizationofacidsformeduponoxidationofthepaintfilm.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
4. Composition and Properties
only.
4.1 Dry Pigment, French Process—In the manufacture of
French process zinc oxide, metallic zinc is vaporized, either in
2. Referenced Documents
a boiler or a refining column, and the resulting vapor is burned
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
in a controlled manner in an orifice. The fine particles of zinc
D185Test Methods for Coarse Particles in Pigments
oxide are cooled enough to agglomerate and are collected by a
D280Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other
system of fabric bags. French process oxide shall conform to
Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
the properties listed in Table 1.
D281Test Method for Oil Absorption of Pigments by
4.2 Dry Pigment,American Process—In the manufacture of
Spatula Rub-out
American process zinc oxide, zinc ore is reduced in the
D332Test Method for Relative Tinting Strength of White
presence of a carbonaceous fuel.The resulting vapor is burned
Pigments by Visual Observation
in a combustion chamber, and the fine particles of zinc oxide
D1483Test Method for Oil Absorption of Pigments by
are cooled enough to agglomerate and are collected by a
Gardner-Coleman Method
systemoffabricbags.Americanprocessoxideshallconformto
D2745Test Method for Relative Tinting Strength of White
the properties listed in Table 1.
Pigments by Reflectance Measurements
D3280Test Methods for Analysis of White Zinc Pigments
4.3 Paste in Oil—The paste shall be made by thoroughly
D4295Classification for Rubber Compounding Materials—
grinding the specified pigment with linseed oil. As received it
Zinc Oxide
shallnotbecakedinthecontainerandshallbreakupreadilyin
D4315Test Methods for Rubber Compounding Material—
oil to form a smooth paint of brushing consistency. The paste
Zinc Oxide
shall conform to the following requirements:
E20Practice for Particle Size Analysis of Particulate Sub-
Pigment, % 80 to 86
stances in the Range of 0.2 to 75 Micrometres by Optical Linseed oil, % 14 to 20
Moisture and other volatile matter, max, % 0.5
Coarse particles and skins (total residue retained on a 1.5
No. 325 (45-µm) sieve), max, % of the dry pigment
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This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D01 on Paint
4.4 In such physical properties as are specified by the
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.31 on Pigment Specifications.
purchaser, the pigment shall satisfactorily match a reference
CurrenteditionapprovedJuly1,2009.PublishedJuly2009.Originallyapproved
sample mutually agreed upon by the purchaser and the seller.
in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D79–86(2004). DOI:
The most frequently specified properties are oil absorption,
10.1520/D0079-86R09.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
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Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
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D79−86 (2009)
TABLE 1 Composition
10 000 lb, two samples shall be taken. At the option of the
French American purchaser, the samples may be tested separately or after
Process Process
blending in equal qua
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