Mars Black is an
iron oxide
Iron oxides are chemical compounds composed of iron and oxygen. Several iron oxides are recognized. All are black magnetic solids. Often they are non-stoichiometric. Oxyhydroxides are a related class of compounds, perhaps the best known of whic ...
pigment developed in the 20th century. Also known under the names of black iron oxide, magnetic oxide, Pigment Black 11, and
ferrous ferric oxide (Fe
3O
4), it has no known health hazards and is considered non-toxic, with an
ASTM
ASTM International, formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials, is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, an ...
lightfastness rating of I. It is more opaque and less toxic than other black pigments. Artists' paint manufacturers have rated it one of the most satisfactory black pigments for acrylic paints with regard to opacity, lightfastness, and permanence.
[http://www.sennelier.fr/fr/nuanciers.Acrylique.pdf] It takes its name from Mars, the god of war and patron of iron.
See also
*
List of inorganic pigments
References
External links
astm.org/* Mayer, Ralph. The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques. Viking Adult; 5th revised and updated edition, 1991. .
Shades of gray
Mars black
Iron oxide pigments
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