PW 11 – antimony white

Used as an artist pigment from 1920.

Manufacturer/ product code:  minerals water chemical supplies / Cas 1309-64-4
Chemical Description:  antimony trioxide, Sb2O3
Color: white
Color Index: PW 11
More info: 

PW 11 – Antimony White is an inorganic white pigment composed primarily of antimony oxide (Sb₂O₃). Historically, it was used as a substitute for lead white, providing opacity and a warm white tone in paints, coatings, and decorative applications. PW 11 is recognized for its good hiding power and moderate tinting strength, although it is less reflective and slightly warmer than modern titanium or zinc whites.

Chemically, antimony white is highly stable under normal atmospheric conditions, with excellent resistance to light, heat, and most chemical agents. It is insoluble in water and organic solvents, which makes it suitable for a variety of artistic and industrial formulations, including oil, tempera, and early synthetic paints. However, its relative density and coarse particle size can affect the smoothness of paint films compared to more modern white pigments.

In artistic applications, PW 11 is valued for its opacity and the warm character it imparts to mixtures. It blends readily with colored pigments to produce muted tints, and when used in small amounts, it can slightly soften intense hues without significantly altering chroma. Its use in historical paintings and decorative arts provides important analytical clues for dating and material identification.

From a conservation perspective, antimony white is chemically inert and durable, making it relatively stable over centuries. It does not darken or react significantly with other pigments under normal conditions.