Special substances are used to protect some elements of building structures from corrosion. Thanks to their properties, the decorative effect and sanitary and hygienic qualities of the structure are improved. One of these compounds is iron minium. This substance is also used in many other cases.
What iron minium is made of
Powder, which is obtained by grinding iron ore burnt to the state of scale, is resistant to temperature, weather and light effects. The red-brown mass is mainly composed of iron oxide.
Calcining limonite ore mass in an oxygen-air environment, it is brought to the desired consistency. Then, crushed in the belly of a special machine called a "roar", the powder is packed in a bag or metal container for shipment to industrial enterprises. Participating in production chains as the main or additional substance, the use of red lead is quite diverse.
Indispensable raw materials
Produced fromore pigment has been successfully used in various industries:
- in the paint and varnish industry in the production of primers and color mixtures;
- in glassworks;
- in the automotive industry;
- in plastics related;
- in the production of flame retardant impregnations and compounds;
- when polishing glass and metal parts as an abrasive fine material.
In addition, some parts of new cars are coated with this composition, as this action perfectly protects the metal from rust.
Such familiar construction paint
The most stable of the liquid anti-corrosion agents is iron minium. Specifications allow the use of this paint for the treatment of car bottoms and pipelines. Metal roofs and manhole covers, heating radiators and iron garages are treated with this agent. In addition, iron minium is used to cover the wooden parts of the building, regardless of the location inside or outside. This composition is not recommended for painting the floor.
Paint is made by dissolving iron powder in penftal (oil) varnishes. To maintain the state of the suspension, thixotropic and desiccant additives are added to the mixture. After obligatory thorough mixing and packaging, the weather-resistant anti-corrosion paint minium iron (brown color) is ready for use.
Artificial or natural pigment: which is better
Dry paints, or pigments, are called fine powders of different colors insoluble in chemical solvents. The inorganic powder which is a part of building paints gives to coverings this or that shade. In addition, the addition of pigment powders, such as iron minium, improves not only the anti-corrosion, but also the mechanical protective properties of the composition.
In industry, two types of dyes are used: artificial and natural. Synthetic fillers are distinguished by their brightness, variety and saturation of the color palette. Natural dyes are mined from the bowels of the earth. They are cheap, harmless and better resistant to external influences of the atmosphere. Minium iron belongs to the second group. The following substances are also natural mineral pigments:
- white chalk and yellow ocher;
- brown umber and dark yellow sienna;
- red cinnabar and black-grey pyrolusite;
- graphite and bauxite.
How to use paint
Before applying paint, carefully prepare the surface. Removes rust and grease, dust and scale. The paint must be well mixed. If necessary, the composition is diluted with solvent, turpentine or white spirit to create the desired degree of density.
Iron minium is applied to the prepared surface with an ordinary brush. The drying time of the coating depends on the temperature conditions and can last from 20 to 24 hours. For better protectionfrom external influences, the coloring composition is applied in several layers, after waiting for the previous one to dry completely. If you hurry and neglect the rule of this technology, the coating will not fully meet the necessary requirements. The paint film will become wrinkled and easily damaged.
Safety measures at work
When painting on your own, you should follow simple safety rules. These in this case include the following items:
- The room in which iron minium is used must be ventilated both during and after the painting period.
- Smoking and the use of open flames near the work site are prohibited.
- Hands must wear rubber or disposable gloves. You can use special protective bio-creams.
- Glasses will protect your eyes from accidental penetration of microdrops of paint on the cornea.
If the composition gets on parts of the skin that are not protected by clothing, it should be wiped off with a tissue flap soaked in white spirit or any vegetable oil. Then rinse with warm water and household degreaser or soap.
After completion of work, the remaining iron minium is stored away from heating devices and sources of fire. The jar must be tightly closed to prevent thickening and drying of the composition. Do not store paint in the sun, frost or rain.
