Xirallic

Xirallic is an alumina effect pigment made of aluminum oxide platelets covered with titanium oxide that shows a strong glitter effect with a distinct shimmering behavior.^[1][2][3]

Car shape model varnished with an effect pigment based on an alumina substrate (Xirallic)

It was developed and patented by researchers of the company Merck KGaA in Japan.^[4] Because the pigment was produced at a single plant in Onahama,^[5] production was severally curtailed following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.^[6] The shortage of the pigment caused Ford and Chrysler to restrict the availability of cars and trucks in some red and black paints.^[7] The shortage also affected other automobile makes. Hyundai replaced Xirallic with mica in their paints.^[8] The plant reopened on 8 May 2011.^[9]

See also

• Alumina effect pigment