Portafill H 5.

Functional filler
for application in paints, colours and paper.

Water-based Paints
Portafill H 5 Economic pigments for water based interior paints

The products
Based
on
the
minerals
huntite
and
hydromagnesite, which were formed in primeval
lakes, Ankerpoort makes products with a high
fineness, a high whiteness and a high aspect ratio:
Portafill H 5.
Portafill H 5 is produced using both, a controlled
processing with modern grinding & classifying
equipment and specific surface treatments.
The next picture gives an impression of the raw
material with its purity and whiteness.

The chemical formula of the two minerals is as

follows:

Huntite

: Mg3Ca(CO3)4

Hydromagnesite : Mg4(OH)2(CO3)3 y 3H2O

Figure 1: Huntite/Hydromagnesite-Mine in Greece

Portafill H 5 consists mainly of the mineral Huntite.
By selective mining and controlled processing it is
ensured that the characteristic properties of Portafill
H 5 are consistent.
The composition, whiteness and particle size
distribution are specified and tested regularly during
the production.

The huntite particles got their high aspects ratio as

well as their extraordinary fineness during the
precipitation process in primeval times. The scanning
electron microscope picture is given in Figure 2.
The typical properties of Portafill H 5 are listed below.
Portafill H 5
Chemical Analysis:
MgO

33

CaO

14

SiO2

0.4

Fe2O3

< 0.1

Moisture

< 1,0

Whiteness Y

> 93

Spec. Surface (BET)

18

m/g

Medium Particle Size

0,4

Figure 2: SEM-picture of Huntite

(Sedigraph 5000D)
Mohs Hardness

2-3

pH

10

Density

2,5

g/cm

Bulk Density

0,25

g/cm

The following data are the first results of our

laboratory tests, and they should demonstrate the
general suitability of huntite minerals as titanium
dioxide extender in modern formulations.

Table 1: Typical Data of Portafill H 5

Interior dispersion paints

Huntite as white pigment
People of the ancient world already used this white,
plate-shaped material because of its earthy nature,
its fineness, its opacity and its easy dispersability in
water. Huntite could be found at cold painted
ceramics of the 11th dynasty of Thebes and on Nubic
terracottes. Lumps of this mineral were also found in
a shipwreck of the 2nd or 3rd century, northwest of
Elba, where is was probably used as a pigment.
Also in other parts of the world people make use of
the advantageous properties; to this day aboriginals
of western Australia still use white earth, which
contains huntite1.
The fineness, the opacity and the good dispersability
- properties that were already appreciated by the
ancient Egyptians make Portafill H 5 attractive for
modern paints, too. Particularly, if were looking for a
compromise between good optical paint properties
and minimum costs for raw materials.
Basic tests in the interior paint formulations have
shown that it is possible to partly substitute titanium
dioxide with Portafill H 5. As shown below, Portafill
H 5 can replace up to 30% of titanium dioxide used in
the typical interior dispersion paint formulation
without affecting the opacity.

1 W. Noll: Zur Kenntnis altgyptischer Pigmente und Binedmittel;

N. Jb. Miner. Mh., Jg. 1981, H9., S416-432

Starting formulations for the water based interior

paints used in these tests were taken from the
information provided by different producers of
dispersion resins. Portafill H 5 was used to substitute
a part of the titanium dioxide in these formulations
and the effects on optical properties were measured.

Preparation
The dispersion paints were prepared using the
generally used high shear mixing equipment, e.g.
Dissolver.
Opacity / Contrast ratio
The effect of Portafill H 5 as a TiO2-extender was
measured in terms of contrast ratios of the dry paints.
The measurements were carried out according to
DIN 53778, part 3. To determine the contrast ratio,
the paints were generally applied with spiral
applicator at the wet thickness of 150 m on a black
& white contrast card. After drying for 24 hours, the
value of whiteness Y is measured above the white
(Yw) and the black background (YB) using the

spectrophotometer analyser . The contrast ratio (CR)

is then calculated as follows.
CR = (YB / YW)*100
Shelf life

At a very thin film-thickness (75 m) a slight

decrease of the contrast ratio can be seen with
increasing amount of Portafill H5. Thicker films with a
wet thickness of 150 m have such a high opacity,
that the contrast ratio is up to the substitution level of
30% independent from the amount of TiO2 replaced
(Figure 3).

The paints were stored in 250 ml cans for fourteen

days at 50C to test the shelf life. After cooling down
for six hours, the shelf life is rated according to the
following criteria:
Settling
Redispersability
Viscosity before and after storage (Brookfield).

The shelf life is rated as good, if:

96%
94%
92%
90%
88%

None or very low increase of viscosity occurs

Clear solution of maximum 3mm above the

suspension is formed

82%

The paint is easily redispersable.

80%

150m

98%

Contrast ratio

75 m

100%

86%
84%

R e f.

All paints tested here fulfil these criteria have a good

or sufficient shelf life.

10%
H5

20%
H5

30%
H5

Figure 3: Partial substitution of Portafill H5 for TiO2

Formulations and results

Table 2: Formulation based on Acronal 290 D

(5,8 % TiO2, 7,0 % binder)

Standard colour value Y at diffuse illuminance and vertical or

nearly vertical observation with gloss (DIN 53236, procedure A)

75 m
100.0%

96.3%

98.0%
96.0%

96.0%

94.0%

95.8%

92.0%
95.5%

90.0%

95.3%

88.0%

95.0%

86.0%

94.8%

84.0%

Contrast ratio 75m

374.0
5.0
6.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
12.0
13.0
58.0
112.0
60.0
280.0
1.0
70.0
1000

150m
96.5%

PC
C
Al
-S
ili c
at
e
Ca
lc.
Cl
ay

Water
Natrosol 250 HHR
Calgon N
Pigment Disperser A
Parmetol A26
Agitan 281
White Spirit (180-210C)
Lusolvan FBH
KRONOS 2043
Portafill H 5
Millicarb OG
Luzenac 10 MOOS
Durcal 5
Agitan 281
Acronal 290 D
Total

10%
20%
30%
replaced by Portafill H 5
374.0
374.0
374.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
13.0
13.0
13.0
52,2
46.4
40.6
5,8
11,6
17,4
112.0
112.0
112.0
60.0
60.0
60.0
280.0
280.0
280.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
1000
1000
1000

Re
f.
Po
rta
fill
H5

Ref.

From comparison of Portafill H 5 with other highgrade mineral products, such as aluminium silicates
or calcined clays, it follows that the efficiency of these
products is comparable. However, the advantage of
Portafill H 5 over the calcined clay is its higher
brightness. When compared to precipitated calcium
carbonate (PCC), the use of Portafill H 5 results in a
higher contrast ratio of the paint (Figure 4).

Contrast ratio 150m

The first formulation contains 5,8% titanium dioxide

and 7% binder, the pigment volume concentration
(PVC) is about 84%. Portafill H 5 replaced in these
experiments 10%, 20% and 30% of the used TiO2
(Table 2).

Figure 4: Comparison of different minerals used as

extender (30% TiO2 replaced)
Comparable results with Portafill H 5, e.g. nearly
constant opacity up to a replacement of about 30% of
TiO2 and extender efficiency comparable to
aluminium silicates and calcined clays, are also
found in various other formulations of water based

interior paints. Portafill H 5 was tested in formulation

containing more TiO2 and more binder than the first
one (PVC ca. 76,3%, Table 3). The results are
summarized in Figure 5.

Ref.
Water
Calgon, 10%
Lupon 894
Tylose H 6000 yp
Na(OH), 10%
Agitan 310
KRONOS 2065
Portafill H 5
Microtalc AT1
Calcidar 2
Calcidar 5
Socal P2
Actizid SPX
Agitan 310
Mowilith LDM 1871
Total

314,4
5,6
2,0
6,0
2,0
1,0
70.0
56.0
160.0
120.0
150.0
2,0
1,0
110,0
1000.0

10%
20%
30%
TiO2 replaced by Portafill H 5
314,4
314,4
314,4
5,6
5,6
5,6
2,0
2,0
2,0
6,0
6,0
6,0
2,0
2,0
2,0
1,0
1,0
1,0
63.0
56.0
49.0
7.0
14.0
21.0
56.0
56.0
56.0
160.0
160.0
160.0
120.0
120.0
120.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
2,0
2,0
2,0
1,0
1,0
1,0
110,0
110,0
110,0
1000.0
1000.0
1000.0

Table 3: Formulation based on Mowilith LDM 1871

(7,0 % TiO2, 11 % binder)

P a r ts o f T iO 2 s u b s t itu t e d
10%
20%
30%
100%
98%
96%

The higher TiO2-content of this formulation results in

a higher contrast ratio. The level of TiO2 that can be
substituted by some extender in such higher quality
formulation is apparently lower. As can be seen in
Figure 5, the opacity was not affected up to the
Portafill level of 20%. Substitution of 30 % TiO2
results only in very slight decrease of opacity.

Cutting costs with Portafill H 5

Partial replacement of titanium dioxide by Portafill
H 5 results in a noticeable cost saving effect. At the
replacement of 30% titanium dioxide with Portafill H 5
in the last formulation (Table 3), the total cost
reduction is about 7 %.

Summary
These basic tests prove the efficiency of Portafill H 5
as TiO2 extender. Compared to paint formulations,
which contain precipitated calcium carbonate,
calcined clay or aluminium-silicate, recipes with
Portafill H 5 have a similar or better opacity.
However, a higher brightness results with use of
Portafill H 5 as compared with the calcined clay.
With Portafill H 5, a natural product is available that,
because of its purity and specific properties, makes a
reduction of titanium dioxide in dispersion paint
possible and contributes therefore significantly to the
cost optimization of such products.

Contrast ratio

94%
92%
90%
88%
86%
84%
82%

or

ta

f il

lH

ef

80%

Figure 5: Partial substitution of Portafill H 5 for TiO2

All data in this Technical Information are meant as orientation and were given according to our best knowledge. Because properties of
compounds and products are widely subject to variations with formulation details, we cannot take responsibility for deviations that might
occur in your specific application.
We feel committed to our customers needs and would like to give you as much support and help as possible. In order to arrive at quick and
satisfying problem solutions detailed discussions with you could be helpful.
Therefore we would be glad, if you contact us again for further information.
Ankerpoort N.V.
Op de Bos 300
NL 6200 AG Maastricht
Telefon:
+31 (0) 43 3663755
Telefax:
+31 (0) 43 3650364
e-mail:
info@ankerpoort.com

AP.08.2005