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Infrared Spectra of US Automobile Original Finishes. VII. Extended Range FT-IR and XRF Analysis of Inorganic Pigments In Situ--Nickel Titanate and Chrome Titanate

NCJ Number
214491
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 51 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2006 Pages: 532-547
Author(s)
Edward M. Suzuki Ph.D.; Martin X. McDermot M.S.
Date Published
May 2006
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This report describes the identification, analysis, and occurrence in U.S. automobile original finishes (1974-1989) of nickel titanate (yellow) and chrome titanate (yellow-orange).
Abstract
Nickel titanate is a relatively common pigment that was identified in nearly 36 U.S. automobile yellow nonmetallic monocoats (1974-1989), but chrome titanate apparently was used in only a few yellow and orange nonmetallic monocoats. The use of the titanate pigments likely increased after this period, since they were replacements for lead chromate pigments, which were last used in U.S. automobile original finishes in the early 1990s. They are also better suited for use in basecoat/clearcoat finishes than in monocoats. Minor distortions of the infrared absorptions of rutile (titanium dioxide), anatase, and the titanates obtained by using accessories with diamond windows were noted. In addition to titanium, nickel, and antimony--the main detectable elements in nickel titanate--all of the commercial products of this pigment that were examined also contained impurities of zirconium, niobium, and usually lead. These elements were also detected in most of the monocoats in which nickel titanate was identified, as well as in the chrome titanate pigments. The zirconium to niobium ratio exhibited a wide variation. All of the automotive finishes discussed in this experiment were monocoats from the Reference Collection of Automotive Paints (Collaborative Testing Services, Inc., Herndon, VA). Each of the titanates contains two elements in addition to titanium that distinguishes them in elemental analyses. Fourier transform infrared (4000-220cm-1 exponent) and X-ray fluorescence instruments were used in combination for the analysis of the titanates. 1 table, 9 figures, and 33 references