Manganese black
Description
A natural brownish-black colorant obtained from natural ores like jacobsite (MnFe2O4), pyrolusite (Mn)2), or hausmannite (Mn2O4). Writing tools prepared from manganese ores were found in excavations at the Pech-de-l'Azé cave site in southwestern France, which date back 50,000 years. Additionally, manganese ores were used as a dark brown to black ceramic glaze in the Near East as early as the seventh millennium (Schweizer and Rinuy 1982). Synthetically, a brownish-black paint pigment composed of manganese dioxide and called manganese black was patented in England in 1871 by Rowan. It is was never commonly used, but is sometimes found in inexpensive house paints and as a drier in artists oil paints.
More recently a synthetic, high-performance black manganese pigment has been made from iron manganese oxide {(Fe,Mn)2O3}. This dark black pigment has been called (incorrectly) both manganese black and iron oxide black. It is inert and non-toxic with excellent tinting strength, and good opacity. Iron manganese black is used for coatings that require high weather-ability such as automotive, architectural, and industrial materials. It is also used for artist paints, ceramics, and inks.
Synonyms and Related Terms
manganese dioxide (Pigment Black 14, CI 77728); iron manganese oxide (Pigment Black 33, CI 77537); Manganschwarz (Deut.); negro de manganeso (Esp.); noir de manganèse (Fr.); mayro toy magganioy (Gr.); mangaanzwart (Ned.); negro de manganês (Port.); manganese brown;
Risks
- Inhalation can cause a flu-like illness.
- Ingestion may cause nausea and hypoglycemia.
- Fisher Scientific: SDS for manganese dioxide
- Kremer Pigmente: SDS for iron manganese oxide
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Composition = MnO2; CAS = 1313-13-9
- Composition = (Fe,Mn)2O3 or MnFe2O4; CAS = 75864-23-2
Resources and Citations
- F.Schweizer, A. Rinuy, "Manganese Black as An Etruscan Pigment" Studies in Conservation, 27:118-123, 1982.
- Kremer Pigmente: Iron oxide black, temperature stable for Pigment Black 33, CI 77537
- ColourLex: Manganese Black for Pigment Black 33, CI 77537
- Wikipedia: Manganese dioxide for Pigment Black 14, CI 77728