Last updated: 2026-01
Material Identity
- Chemical name: Cerium sulfide
- Material class: rare-earth sulfide inorganic pigment
- Representative formula: Ce2S3
- CAS number: 12014-93-6
- Physical form: inorganic pigment powder
- What it is not: not an organic pigment, not a dye, not iron oxide orange
Activation & Trigger Conditions
- Trigger: interaction with visible light
- Energy domain: electronic transitions within the cerium–sulfide crystal lattice
- Absent trigger: no color expression without light interaction
- Insufficient condition: poor dispersion reduces chroma and uniformity
- Excess condition: acidic or strongly oxidative environments can destabilize sulfide phases
Functional Role
- Provides orange coloration with inorganic pigment stability
- Maintains color under elevated processing temperatures
- Enables replacement of heat-sensitive organic orange pigments
- Supports consistent coloration in polymer matrices
Application Windows
- Compatible systems: engineering plastics, polymer compounds, selected coating systems
- Loading range: formulation-dependent; no universal loading applies
- Processing notes: neutral to mildly basic formulations and good dispersion improve stability
Limitations & Failure Modes
- Acid exposure → sulfide degradation → color fading or odor formation
- Poor dispersion → pigment agglomeration → uneven orange tone
- Oxidative processing → surface oxidation → hue shift or reduced chroma
Alternatives & Trade-offs
- Organic orange pigments: brighter hues but lower thermal stability
- Iron oxide orange: higher chemical durability but duller chroma
- Cadmium-based pigments: strong color but regulatory constraints
When to Use
- When orange coloration must withstand high processing temperatures
- When inorganic pigment durability is required
- When organic orange pigments are unsuitable due to heat sensitivity
- When consistent orange tone is required in plastics
FAQ
Is cerium sulfide orange suitable for acidic systems?
No. Strong acidic environments can react with sulfide phases and should be avoided.
How does it differ from iron oxide orange?
Cerium sulfide orange offers different chroma and thermal behavior compared with iron oxides.
Why can odor appear during processing?
Under acidic or oxidative conditions, sulfide materials may release sulfur-containing species.
Data
No numerical values are listed. Color strength, heat resistance, and chemical stability are grade- and formulation-specific and should be verified through COA and application testing.
Sources
Supplier technical documentation and general literature on rare-earth sulfide pigments.