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]

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

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Andrea Adelson (29 September 2000). "Next, a Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Color-Shifting Baby". New York Times.
  2. ^ Phil Patton (13 June 2005). "Harvest Season for the '08 Car Colors". New York Times.
  3. ^ Bennett, Jeff (11 March 2011). "Quake Spurs Supplier". Wall Street Journal.
  4. ^ Neal E. Boudette, Jeff Bennett (March 26, 2011). "Pigment Shortage Hits Auto Makers". Wall Street Journal.
  5. ^ Brett Davis (30 March 2011). "Xirallic paint shortage due to Japan earthquake". Car Advice.
  6. ^ Peter Valdes-Dapena (28 March 2011). "Ford, Chrysler restrict colors for new cars". CNN Money.
  7. ^ Deepa Seetharaman; Alina Selyukh (20 April 2011). "Hyundai finds solution for pigment shortage". Reuters.
  8. ^ "UPDATE 1-Quake-hit paint plant reopens in Japan". Reuters. May 10, 2011.
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