Role of α-Fe₂O₃ morphology on the color of red pigment for porcelain

To produce a new red pigment for Japanese porcelains, some hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) powders produced by different methods were investigated by mixing them with lead-free frit powders and firing them on white porcelain plates at 800°C. Commercial hematite powders and uniform α-Fe₂O₃ powders 155 and 53 nm in diameter which were prepared using conventional- and microwave-hydrothermal reactions, respectively, were used as sources of red pigments. The morphology and dispersion of the above α-Fe₂O₃ powders were found to have a significant effect on the tone of red color for porcelain pigment.