Blanc fixe
What is Blanc Fixe?
Blanc fixe, precipitated barium sulphate or synthetic barium sulfate, is a universal diluent with additive and functional properties. It is the form of barium found in consumer products such as paints.
To obtain high purity barium sulfate, the sulfide or chloride is treated with sulfuric acid or sulfate salts. This process produces a product known as “blanc fixe” in French, which means white fix or “permanent white.”
Although barium sulfate and barium sulfide are related chemical compounds, they have some notable differences. While barium sulfate is insoluble in water, barium sulfide is soluble and can easily be converted to oxides, carbonates, and halides.
In the laboratory, by combining solutions of barium ions and sulfate salts, we can generate barium sulfate. Due to its insolubility, barium sulfate is considered the least toxic salt of barium. For this reason, wastes containing barium salts are often treated with sodium sulfate to immobilise them.
Furthermore, due to its low solubility, barium sulfate is used in qualitative inorganic analysis as a test for Ba2+ ions and for sulfate.
Available variants
BLANC FIX 0.7
Blanc Fixe 0.7 is Precipitated Barium Sulfate characterized by its high purity and controlled particle size. Multiple purification processes ensure its low chlorine content and very low electrical conductivity.
BLANC FIX 0.8W
Blanc Fixe 0.8W is Barium Sulfate characterized by its high purity and controlled particle size. Multiple purification processes ensure its low chlorine content and very low electrical conductivity.
Blanc fix is supplied in different grain sizes and degrees of whiteness, to satisfy consumer requirements.
What is blanc fixe used for
Blanc fix, barium sulfate, provides a bright white color and is used in paints, coatings, paper, adhesives, plastics, rubbers and polymers. It stands out for its absorption of UV rays, low grinding abrasion, optimized dispersion properties and its chemically inert nature, which makes it a complete and excellent quality product. It is essential in the production of industrial products to improve their appearance, functionality and durability.
Coatings and paints
Blanc Fixe is used in paints as an opaque white pigment to provide increased opacity and gloss to the paint film. In addition, the Blanc Fixe also helps to improve the paint’s resistance to water and UV rays.
Compared to other white pigments, such as titanium dioxide, Blanc Fix has the advantage of not yellowing over time, making it ideal for use in paints that require high color stability. It also has a lower influence on the viscosity of the paint, which means that it does not negatively affect the texture of the paint.
Dyes and pigments
Precipitated barium sulphate is a white pigment known as CI Pigment White 21. Because it is very heavy, it is often used to adulterate lead white or as an adulterant filler in paints to simulate a high pigment load. It is safe to use as it is not soluble, but crude or improperly made barium sulfate may contain impurities or soluble barium compounds that are poisonous.
Paper
Blanc Fixe is used in papermaking as a mineral filler to improve opacity, whiteness, thickness, texture, and resistance to water and UV rays. This additive improves the quality and performance of the paper, making it more versatile and suitable for a variety of uses in the paper industry.
Adhesives, resins and sealants
Blanc Fix is used as an inert filler in the manufacture of adhesives, resins and sealants to improve viscosity and texture, thereby increasing applicability and adhesion. In addition, it also helps improve the temperature resistance, stability, and durability of these products, making them more effective in a variety of applications.
Rubber and gums
Blanc Fixe is used as a reinforcing and loading agent in the manufacture of rubber and rubber, improving its strength, stiffness and durability, as well as its resistance to abrasion and tearing. It is also used as a filler to control viscosity and improve the texture of rubber and gum products, making them more suitable for a variety of applications.
Supplies
Precipitated barium sulfate blanc fix can be supplied in different micronized granulometries depending on the type of product desired: 0.7 or 0.8 µm.
For different applications, one size or another is recommended, also depending on the desired level of whiteness.
It can be supplied in 25 kg bags (on 1,000 kg pallets) or 1,000 kg big bags.
Contact us to request a budget about blanc fix.
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