Self-propagating High Temperature Synthesis of Pink Corundum

Pigments based on pink corundum have been obtained by self-propagating high temperature synthesis in Cr2O3-Al2O3-Al system using a small amount of chromium oxide (up to 0.5 wt %) in the composition of the green mixture. Absorption bands of pink corundum in visible reflectance spectrum lambda= 560 nm (17850 cm(-1)) and 400 nm (25000 cm(-1)) correspond to electron transitions (4)A(2g)-> T-4(2g)(F-4) and 4.A(2g)-> T-4(1g)(F-4). Increasing chrome oxide content to 5 wt.% in initial charge mixture leads to pigment darkening due to inclusions of Cr2O3. Synthesized pigments can be used as a component of glaze ceramic colors for porcelain.