Molybdate orange and molybate red are mainly used in paints, coil coatings, and for coloring plastics (e. g., polyethylene, polyesters, polystyrene). The temperature-stable grades are the most suitable for coil coatings and plastics.
Molybdate orange and molybdate red feature a low binder demand, good dispersibility, hiding power, and tinting strength, combined with very high lightfastness and weather resistance. Stabilization (see “Production”) also yields high-grade pigments with good resistance to sulfur dioxide and high temperature.
Like chrome yellows, molybdate reds are used to produce mixed pigments. Combinations with organic red pigments provide a considerably extended color range. Such combinations have very good stability properties because the lightfastness and weather resistance of many organic red pigments are not adversely affected by molybdate pigments.
Total world production of molybdate orange and molybdate red in 1999 was in the order of 13000-15000 metric tons.
3.4.3