Title: Ferric Oxide
CAS Registry Number: 1309-37-1
Additional Names: Ferric sesquioxide; jeweler's rouge
Molecular Formula: Fe2O3
Molecular Weight: 159.69
Percent Composition: Fe 69.94%, O 30.06%
Literature References: a-Form occurs in nature as the mineral hematite. g-Form occurs in nature as the mineral maghemite; prepd by dehydration of a-FeO(OH): Giovanoli, Brütsch, Chimia 28, 188 (1974). Prepn of a third allomorphic form, e-Fe2O3: Schrader, Büttner, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 320, 220 (1963); Trautmann, Forestier, Compt. Rend. 261, 4423 (1965). Color and appearance of Fe2O3 are dependent upon the size and shape of the particles and the amount of combined water. Preparation and properties: Gmelins, Iron (8th ed.) 59, part B, 63-94 (1932); Baudisch, Hartung, Inorg. Synth. 1, 185 (1939); Ullmanns Encyklopädie der technischen Chemie vol. 6, 421-423 (1955); Bernal et al., Clay Miner. Bull. 4, 15-30 (1959). Toxicology: L. T. Fairhall, Industrial Toxicology (Hafner, New York, 2nd ed., 1969) pp 64-66.
NOTE: The composition of the substance called d-Fe2O3 is actually FeO(OH) (Bernal et al.).
CAUTION: Potential symptoms of overexposure to dust and fumes are benign pneumoconiosis with x-ray shadows indistinguishable from fibrotic pneumoconiosis. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 172.
Use: As pigment for rubber, paints, paper, linoleum, ceramics, glass; in paint for ironwork, ship hulls; as polishing agent for glass, precious metals, diamonds; in electrical resistors and semiconductors; in magnets, magnetic tapes; as catalyst; colloidal solns as stain for polysaccharides. |