The Profound Black, The Charm of Technology: Exploring Ceramic Inorganic Black Pigments

Aug 20, 2025

In the colorful world of ceramics, black holds an irreplaceable position with its unique depth, steadiness, and mystery. From the simple and unsophisticated patterns on painted pottery of the Neolithic Age to the tension-filled minimalist designs on modern building curtain walls, black has always been a crucial tone pursued by artists and engineers. Behind all this lies a key category of materials—ceramic inorganic black pigments. These pigments are not single compounds but rather multi-component systems with exceptional stability, synthesized through high-temperature chemistry.

I. Types: The Dance of Iron, Chromium, Cobalt, and Manganese

Ceramic black pigments are not composed of a single element. Instead, they are formed through solid-state reactions of various metal oxides at high temperatures, resulting in stable spinel or composite spinel structures that produce a deep black color. The main types include:

1. Iron-Chromium Black (Fe-Cr Black)

Chemical Composition: Primarily iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) and chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃). It is the most commonly used and lowest-cost black pigment.
Coloration Mechanism: Fe³⁺ and Cr³⁺ coexist in the spinel structure, strongly absorbing the entire visible light spectrum, thus appearing black.
Characteristics: Stable color development, good temperature resistance (typically up to 1250°C), and cost-effective. However, it may exhibit greenish or brownish undertones in some glazes, lacking purity.

2. Cobalt-Iron Black (Co-Fe Black):

Chemical Composition: Mainly cobalt oxide (CoO) and iron oxide (Fe₂O₃).
Coloration Mechanism: Forms CoFe₂O₄ spinel, resulting in a very deep, pure black with a bluish undertone.
Characteristics: High black intensity, strong tinting strength, and vibrant color. However, it is expensive (due to cobalt) and sensitive to kiln atmosphere, potentially unstable in reduction flames.

3. Chromium-Iron-Manganese Black (Cr-Fe-Mn Black):

Chemical Composition: A compound of chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃), iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), and manganese dioxide (MnO₂).
Coloration Mechanism: Synergistic effect of multiple chromophore ions (Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn³⁺) enhances light absorption.
Characteristics: This is a cobalt-free black pigment, making it environmentally friendly and lower cost. It offers rich color development, excellent chemical corrosion resistance, and is currently one of the mainstream eco-friendly products on the market. It boasts superior temperature resistance, reaching up to 1300°C.

4. Copper-Chromium Black (Cu-Cr Black):

Chemical Composition: Based on copper oxide (CuO) and chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃).
Characteristics: Another cobalt-free option. It performs well in certain formulations but has a relatively narrower application range.

II. Application Fields: Spanning Tradition and Modernity

The application of ceramic black pigments is extremely wide, covering almost all ceramic branches:

1. Architectural Ceramics:

Facade Tiles and Floor Tiles: Used to manufacture black and dark gray tiles with extremely high wear resistance and weather resistance, ensuring no fading. They are the preferred choice for creating high-quality, texture styles in modern building facades and interior spaces (e.g., hotels, shopping malls).

Digital Inkjet Printing: Ultrafine ground black pigment is a crucial raw material for ceramic inkjet inks, used for printing fine textures, lines, and shadows. It is key to achieving realistic effects like marble or stone patterns.

2. Tableware:

Onglaze, In-glaze, Underglaze Decoration: Used for decorating plates, cups, bowls, etc., especially for creating modern minimalist-style tableware. The pigments must be non-toxic and harmless and stable under repeated washing and dishwasher cycles.

3. Sanitary Ware:

Used in producing black or dark gray washbasins, toilets, etc., presenting a high-quality and fashionable visual effect.

4. Art Pottery & Glazed Tiles:

Artists use black pigments for creation, painting patterns, or producing monochrome glaze works. In antique eaves tiles and glazed tiles, black is used for outlining lines and expressing traditional patterns.

5. Technical Ceramics:

In some electronic ceramics, black pigments can be used for light shielding or modifying surface properties.

III. Product Characteristics: The Cornerstone of Excellent Performance

Compared to organic pigments, ceramic inorganic black pigments exhibit a series of unparalleled excellent properties:

1. Exceptional High-Temperature Stability: This is their core advantage. They can withstand prolonged firing in kilns at temperatures as high as 1200°C-1300°C without decomposition, volatilization, or color change, which is simply unachievable for organic pigments.

2. Outstanding Chemical Inertia: Resistant to acids, alkalis, solvents, and UV radiation. This means the color of ceramic products remains lasting and fresh under daily use, harsh environments, or outdoor exposure, never fading.

3. Strong Hiding Power: High tinting strength and hiding ability allow for achieving a deep black effect with small additions, making it economical and efficient.

4. Wear Resistance: The pigment components are completely fused with the glaze glass phase or the body, resulting in high hardness and resistance to being scratched off.

Ceramic inorganic black pigments are one of the cornerstone materials of the modern ceramic industry. They transform natural mineral elements through the alchemy of technology into an eternal color. From meeting basic decorative needs to achieving high-end aesthetic expression, from ensuring daily life safety to challenging extreme environmental applications, behind their profound black color lies the perfect integration of materials science, chemistry, and manufacturing processes. With increasing environmental requirements and technological advancements, cobalt-free, high-performance, low-cost composite black pigments will become the focus of future research and development, continuing to provide a solid foundation for human architectural and artistic creation.