ASTM D768-01(2019)

Standard Specification for Yellow Iron Oxide Hydrated

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the pigment commercially known as yellow iron oxide, hydrated. The pigment shall be a manufactured yellow iron oxide obtained by chemical reaction and shall be soft, finely powdered, and free of admixtures of other substances. The pigment shall conform to the composition requirements prescribed for: hydrated oxide of iron, total oxide of iron, loss on ignition, moisture and other volatile matter, water soluble matter, and coarse particles (total residues retained), and to the specified hydrogen ion concentration (pH value). The paste in oil shall be made by thoroughly grinding the specified pigment with linseed oil and the paste shall conform to the requirements prescribed for the following: pigment, nonvolatile vehicle, moisture by distillation, coarse particles and skins, and consistency by Stormer viscometer. The mass color character of the tint and the tinting strength formed by a mixture with a white pigment shall be within the specified limits. The methods for sampling, chemical analysis, and tests to determine conformance to the specified properties are given.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the pigment commercially known as yellow iron oxide, hydrated.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2019
• 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 D768-01(2012) - Standard Specification for Yellow Iron Oxide Hydrated
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2019
• Refers: ASTM D1208-96(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Common Properties of Certain Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2019
• Refers: ASTM D1208-96(2012) - Standard Test Methods for Common Properties of Certain Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Refers: ASTM D280-01(2012) - Standard Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Refers: ASTM D50-90(2011) - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Yellow, Orange, Red, and Brown Pigments Containing Iron and Manganese
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM D185-07 - Standard Test Methods for Coarse Particles in Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Refers: ASTM D1208-96(2007) - Standard Test Methods for Common Properties of Certain Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2007
• Refers: ASTM D280-01(2007) - Standard Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2007
• Refers: ASTM D50-90(2005) - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Yellow, Orange, Red, and Brown Pigments Containing Iron and Manganese
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2005
• Refers: ASTM D280-01 - Standard Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001
• Refers: ASTM D280-81(1995) - Standard Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001
• Refers: ASTM D185-84(1999) - Standard Test Methods for Coarse Particles in Pigments, Pastes, and Paints
• Effective Date: 10-May-1999
• Refers: ASTM D50-90(1999) - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Yellow, Orange, Red, and Brown Pigments Containing Iron and Manganese
• Effective Date: 10-May-1999
• Refers: ASTM D1208-96(2002) - Standard Test Methods for Common Properties of Certain Pigments
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1996
• Refers: ASTM D1208-96 - Standard Test Methods for Common Properties of Certain Pigments
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1996

Overview

ASTM D768-01(2019), titled Standard Specification for Yellow Iron Oxide Hydrated, provides minimum requirements and testing procedures for yellow iron oxide pigments in their hydrated form. Developed by ASTM International, this widely recognized standard ensures that yellow iron oxide, hydrated pigment - commonly used in paints, coatings, and industrial applications - meets stringent quality and chemical composition criteria. The specification covers the physical and chemical properties, sampling procedures, and conformance tests necessary for commercial and industrial supply chains.

Key Topics

• Pigment Composition:
  The standard mandates that yellow iron oxide, hydrated must be manufactured via chemical reaction and conform to strict composition requirements, including:

  • Total hydrated oxide of iron: min. 93%
  • Total oxide of iron: min. 83%
  • Loss on ignition: max. 13%
  • Moisture and volatile matter: max. 1.0%
  • Water soluble matter: max. 0.50%
  • Coarse particles (residue on 45-µm sieve): max. 0.5%
  • pH value: 4.5 to 8.0

• Physical Characteristics:
  The pigment should be soft, finely powdered, and free from admixtures. Its behavior in both powder and oil-pasted form is specified.

• Paste in Oil Properties:
  The pigment, when mixed with linseed oil, must remain non-caked, mix readily to a smooth consistency, and conform to requirements for pigment content (min. 55%), nonvolatile vehicle (min. 80% of vehicle), and acceptable viscosity.

• Sampling and Testing:
  ASTM D768 outlines specific procedures for representative sampling and references several ASTM methods (such as D50, D185, D280, and D1208) to determine compliance with required properties.

Applications

Yellow iron oxide hydrated pigments standardized under ASTM D768-01(2019) are vital in several practical applications, including:

• Architectural and Industrial Paints:
  Used for color stability, weather resistance, and opacity in a variety of coating systems.

• Protective and Decorative Coatings:
  Applied in construction, automotive, and machinery components for long-lasting color and corrosion resistance.

• Manufacture of Colored Pavements and Concrete:
  Guarantees a high and consistent tinting strength for infrastructure and outdoor surfaces.

• Art Supplies and Plastics:
  Useful in artist colors and colored plastic compounds due to predictable performance and dispersion properties.

Manufacturers, quality control laboratories, and buyers benefit from ASTM D768 by establishing clear acceptance criteria, enabling consistent quality throughout the pigment supply chain.

Related Standards

For comprehensive pigment evaluation, ASTM D768-01(2019) references several supporting ASTM International test methods:

• ASTM D50: Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Yellow, Orange, Red, and Brown Pigments Containing Iron and Manganese
• ASTM D185: Test Methods for Coarse Particles in Pigments
• ASTM D280: Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
• ASTM D1208: Test Methods for Common Properties of Certain Pigments

Additionally, ASTM D768 aligns with international principles from the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, promoting global trade and standardization.

Keywords: yellow iron oxide hydrated, ASTM D768, pigment specification, colorant quality, pigment testing, industrial pigments, paint raw materials, hydrated iron oxide pigment, standard pigments

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D768 −01 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Specification for
Yellow Iron Oxide Hydrated
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D768; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
Total hydrated oxide of iron, min, % 93
A
Total oxide of iron, min, % 83
A
1.1 This specification covers the pigment commercially
Loss on ignition, max, % 13
Moisture and other volatile matter, max, % 1.0
known as yellow iron oxide, hydrated.
Water soluble matter, max, % 0.50
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the Coarse particles (total residue retained on a No. 325 0.5
(45-µm) sieve), max, %
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
Hydrogen ion concentration (pH value) 4.5 to 8.0
only.
A
Total hydrated oxide of iron shall be the sum of iron oxide and loss on ignition.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
Loss on ignition shall be calculated on the dry material.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.2 Paste in Oil—The paste in oil shall be made by
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
thoroughly grinding the specified pigment with linseed oil
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
(with or without a small amount of volatile thinner) together
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
with (where necessary) small amounts of wetting or dispersing
agents to a semipaste or fluid type consistency. As received, it
2. Referenced Documents
shall not be caked in the container and shall break up readily in
2.1 ASTM Standards: oil to form a smooth paint of brushing consistency. It shall mix
D50 Test Methods for ChemicalAnalysis ofYellow, Orange, readily in all proportions, without curdling, with linseed oil,
Red, and Brown Pigments Containing Iron and Manga- turpentine, or volatile petroleum spirits, or any mixtures of
nese these substances. The paste shall conform to the following
D185 Test Methods for Coarse Particles in Pigments requirements:
D280 Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other
Pigment, min, % 55
Nonvolatile vehicle, min, % of vehicle 80
Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
Moisture by distillation, max, % 2.0
D1208 Test Methods for Common Properties of Certain
Coarse particles and skins (total residue retained on a 1.0
Pigments
No. 325 (45-µm) sieve), max, percent of the dry
pigment
Consistency by the Stormer viscometer:
3. Composition and Properties
A
At shearing rate of 100 revolutions/30 s, min, g 700
B
At shearing rate of 100 revolutions/35 s, max, g 1200
3.1 The pigment shall be a manufactured yellow iron oxide
obtained by chemical reaction. It shall be a soft, finely
A
Equivalent to a rating of 125 Krebs’ Units.
B
powdered pigment, free of admixtures of other substances and
Equivalent to a rating of 145 Krebs’ Units.
shall conform to the following requirements:
3.3 The mass color character of the tint and the tinting
strength formed by a mixture with a white pigment shall be
within mutual
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