1. Brake Linings

Softer iron oxide pigments are utilized to achieve a desired coefficient of friction and to provide black coloration in certain applications. NKR offers specific iron oxide black (PBK11) pigments designed for this purpose, ensuring optimal performance in this field.

2. Detergents & Laundry Bar Soaps

Ultramarine Blue is commonly included in the formulation of detergents to achieve the best possible results for whiteness, as well as to counteract the natural or wear-induced yellowing of textile fibers. This type of formula typically features blue granules that already contain the Ultramarine Blue pigment. By absorbing yellow wavelengths and preventing their reflection, Ultramarine Blue can enhance the whiteness of textile fibers, resulting in a brighter appearance.

Optical whiteners are commonly utilized to improve the whiteness of fabrics, but prolonged exposure to sunlight can lead to their degradation. These whiteners function by absorbing ultraviolet light, which is not visible to the naked eye, and subsequently emitting visible light. This increases the overall reflectance of the white surface, resulting in a bright and luminous appearance. In contrast, Ultramarine Blue operates differently by absorbing yellow light instead of ultraviolet light. By preventing the reflection of yellow wavelengths, Ultramarine Blue enhances the whiteness of the fabric through a distinct mechanism.

Ultramarine Blue is mechanically trapped within the fiber structure, physically incorporating it into the fabric. Due to its ultrafine particle size and affinity for water, Ultramarine Blue may gradually dissipate with repeated washings, eventually forming small structures. However, its high light resistance and effectiveness in preventing yellow hues from reflecting on white fabrics make Ultramarine Blue a superior choice over optical whiteners for this application. Optical whiteners tend to degrade over time and produce yellow hues when exposed to light.

Despite their differences, there is a synergy between Ultramarine Blue and optical whiteners, which can be used together to provide even better results. These two products are fully compatible and can work together to create a wider spectrum of whitening effects under both natural and artificial lighting conditions.

The same principle applies to the use of Ultramarine Blue in laundry bar soaps, where it is incorporated into a typically blue-colored soap bar used for washing fabrics. As the bar soap cleans the fabric with its surfactants, the friction created between the soap and the textile allows small particles of Ultramarine Blue to become mechanically trapped within the fiber structure, thereby absorbing yellow wavelengths and enhancing the fabric’s whiteness.