Paper, Rubber, Copy Paper, Plastics and Artists Colours:

PAPER: 
Ultramarine Blue has two main points of application in the paper manufacturing process : the whitening of cellulose pulp and the coloration of the outside coating on coloured and stucco papers.

The quantity of Ultramarine Blue needed to correct the yellow colour of the pulp depends on its quality. The addition levels of Ultramarine Blue vary from 0.05% to 0.1% based on the dry weigh of the pulp. The ultramarine decreases the reflectance in the zone of yellow wavelengths (520-400 nm), while it maintains the value of reflectance at 460nm (Paper Whiteness Index), meaning there is a visual sensation of higher whiteness.

The great advantage of Ultramarine Blue in the whitening of the pulp is its easy dispersion, which avoids the formation of little spots in the cellulose film, and does not produce the "double face" effect (the "double face" effect is produced when one side of the cellulose film is bluer than the other, the phenomenon is due to the different pigment absorption of the long fibres and the short ones, because in each side of the paper one type of cellulose fibres predominates).

Some paper manufacturers, who want to obtain an optical whitening especially under a light which in rich in ultraviolet ray, use the synergy produced by the effect of the Ultramarine Blue and a optical whitener. Both products are very compatible and do not present any problem. The whitened paper, in this way, offers a fictitious white under artificial light thanks to the action of the optical whiteners and natural white under the action of sun light thanks to the Ultramarine Blue.

In coloured and stucco papers, Ultramarine Blues have a lot of applications, either as blue pigment or as filler shade correctors since in paper coating treatment, high dose levels of pigments and white fillers are used.

The low price of Ultramarine Blue, its easy dispersion, high light resistance, and alkali and alum resistance, are properties that make it very appropriate for these uses.

RUBBER: 
Ultramarine Blue is ideally suited for the colouring of rubber, being easily dispersed by conventional mixing machines. The mixture of pigment with the resin can be achieved in a Banbury, followed by an extruder or directly on a roll mill. Thanks to the excellent heat resistance of ultramarines they can undergo these processes without any deterioration.

The content of free sulphur is not greater than 0.05% and cannot influence vulcanisation. The content of copper and manganese of ultramarines is very low (less than 20ppm) which is important because these metals are "poison" for rubber.

The levels of pigmentation very depending on the composition of the mix of the rubber and can very between 3 and 15%.

Ultra marines are used to correct the colour of white rubber by the addition of small quantities.

Universal master batch for rubber established for selected synthetic rubbers can be prepared with as much as 50% or 60% of ultramarine.

The excellent properties of light resistance of ultramarines make them ideal to colour sport materials. The high level of assurance against toxicity permits them to be used in the coloration of toys and containers in contact with food.

COPY PAPER: 
Ultramarine Blue is used in carbon paper to achieve blue copy or to improve the shade of a black copy.

The Ultramarine is dispersed in wax -based carrier which covers the paper, or it is mixed with an oil which contains a blue solution.

PLASTICS:
The increase in colored plastic articles leads to an increase in the consumption of Ultramarine Blue in this sector, which currently represents the largest market for technical Ultramarine Blue. The highest proportion of Ultramarine Blue, which is sold to the plastics industry is aimed at master batch producers and compounders.
Due to its growing use, to suit quality to the requirements of this demanding market, optimizing the already excellent qualities of Ultramarine Blue, and narrowing the specification tolerance level, the smallest variation between batches guarantees consistency. The FINE PARTICLE quality types of Blue perform the best in PLASTICS APPLICATIONS.

The most significant advantages of ultramarine Blue when used in     Plastics are:-
  Excellent heat resistance (400°C)
  Excellent light resistance (8 on the wool scale) 
  Unique Shade.
  Easily dispersed.
  Transparency (ideal for colour correction) 
  Non-Toxic
  Does not bleed or migrate.
  Does not affect dimensional stability (No Wraping, No Shrinkage) 
  Easily reprocessed.
  Allows high levels of pigmentation In colour concentrates.

Some types of PVC need an acid resistant blue pigment if the polymer is not totally neutralized, and has some acidity. For this uses there is a special type of acid resistant blue, which offers the highest guarantees of acid resistance.

Standard Blue, with a silicon surface treatment are used in specific applications to minimise the formation of agglomerates and control rheologic properties.

The LOW DUST line is the answer to the market demand for low dust pigments. The Low Dust range is made up of 75-80% pigment completely disbursed in 25-20% polymer Vehicle which is compatible with most polymer used. Besides reducing dust, the granular LOW DUST pigments are easily dosed, dispersed and processed.

With its fine particle size and narrow granulometric distribution, is suitable for applications by injection where dispersion is a key element, in quick processes, this films and fibres. It is also used in PET mineral water bottles, which require clarity, and which further demand pigments with low humidity and excellent disbersibility.

ARTISTS COLOURS:
The use of Ultramarine Blue in colors for artists was stimulant to develop the synthesis of this pigment. Before that, the only source for the pigment was the refined natural Lapis lazuli.

After more than one hundred years, the Ultramarine has been increasingly used for artists and it seems that it will continue.

For oil and water based colours produced with the classic techniques of paint manufacturing (for example pebble mill or tricilinders), the blues with highest tinting strength are the most indicated, either the green shade ones or the violet ones. For the powder colours, which are less milled mixtures of filters (calcium carbonate), vehicles (casein or rubber) and pigments, the average qualities and also the low strength ones are the most convenient.

When it is necessary to get permanent colours, we must think in the acid resistant blue, which has a higher resistance to the corrosive atmospheres. This higher lasting compensates the supplementary cost that the use of this blue requires, due to its antacid treatment.

Toxicity is a key factor to bear in mind for these applications where ultramarine can be favourably used.

Other materials can be included in this chapter. fat pencils, modeling pastes (earth/lanolin), plasticines. All the qualities of blue work well; in fat pencils the micronized qualities can improve pigment dispersion mainly after resin cooling.

The facility of developing completely the Ultramarine Blue with simple dispersing equipment, added to the low price of the pigment, contribute to its success in the artists colours industry.