Why is micronised quartz used in paint?

Micronised quartz adds abrasion resistance (Mohs 7), filling, matting control and chemical durability to paint. Its high SiO₂ purity and low iron content provide whiteness and colour stability in light shades.

What grain size should micronised quartz for paint be?

Our product is supplied at a grain size of < 45 µm. Depending on the application you can request finer or different finenesses; fineness directly affects gloss and film texture.

Does quartz powder affect the colour of paint?

Thanks to its low iron content (Fe₂O₃ ≈ 0.013%), micronised quartz has high whiteness and does not cause colour shift in light-coloured paints. This is a significant advantage over lower-quality fillers.

What is the difference between micronised quartz and calcite filler?

Quartz (Mohs 7) is much harder than calcite (Mohs 3), which is why quartz is preferred in paints that require abrasion resistance and chemical durability. Calcite is a softer, cheaper filler used in lower-performance applications.

Application29 June 2026

Micronised Quartz in Paints and Coatings: What It Does and How to Choose It

Q: Does quartz powder affect the colour of paint?

Thanks to its low iron content (Fe₂O₃ ≈ 0.013%), micronised quartz has high whiteness and does not cause colour shift in light-coloured paints. This is a significant advantage over lower-quality fillers.

Q: What is the difference between micronised quartz and calcite filler?

Quartz (Mohs 7) is much harder than calcite (Mohs 3), which is why quartz is preferred in paints that require abrasion resistance and chemical durability. Calcite is a softer, cheaper filler used in lower-performance applications.

Micronised quartz provides abrasion resistance, filling and colour stability in industrial paints and coatings. We explain what it does in paint, which coatings it is used in, and how to select it by fineness and purity.

Micronised quartz is a finely ground, high-purity quartz powder that provides abrasion resistance, filling volume and colour stability in industrial paints and coatings. Paint manufacturers use micronised quartz as a functional filler to adjust the hardness, matting and weather resistance of the film. In this article we explain what micronised quartz does in paint, which coating types it is preferred in, and how to choose the right product for your application based on fineness and purity.

What Does Micronised Quartz Do in Paint?

When added to a paint film, micronised quartz is not a passive filler that merely adds volume; it is a functional component that directly determines the performance of the final coating:

Abrasion and scratch resistance: With its Mohs 7 hardness, quartz gives the paint film high mechanical strength. This is critical in coatings exposed to friction, such as floor, machine and traffic paints.
Filling and film structure: Its fine grain structure provides homogeneous filling and controlled film thickness in paint; by balancing resin consumption, it contributes to cost optimisation.
Matting and gloss control: The gloss level of the coating can be adjusted according to grain size; micronised quartz strikes a matting–filler balance on matt and semi-matt surfaces.
Chemical and weather resistance: Because SiO₂ is chemically inert, it resists acids, alkalis and UV; it extends service life in exterior and protective paints.
Colour stability: A low iron (Fe₂O₃) content means high whiteness; this prevents colour shift in light-coloured and white paints.

Which Paints and Coatings Is It Used In?

Micronised quartz features in a wide range of coatings that demand purity and durability:

Industrial and protective paints: for abrasion and corrosion resistance in steel-structure, machine and equipment paints.
Road-marking and traffic paints: for long-lasting lines that withstand high friction and outdoor conditions.
Powder coatings: as a functional filler in hard, full-bodied and durable powder-coating films.
Epoxy and polyurethane coatings: in epoxy floor systems, micronised quartz provides mechanical strength together with coarser granular quartz.
Exterior and decorative coatings: for weather resistance and a matt surface.

You can find the details of these and similar applications on our paint industry application page.

Technical Properties

The key values that determine the performance of micronised quartz used in paint:

Property	Value
Chemical formula	SiO₂
SiO₂ purity	≈ 99.8%
Iron (Fe₂O₃)	≈ 0.013%
Hardness	Mohs 7
Density	2.65 g/cm³
Grain size	< 45 µm (micronised)
Colour	high whiteness (low iron)

High SiO₂ purity together with low iron guarantees both chemical durability and whiteness in light shades. The values are typical batch values; a current batch analysis report is provided with each shipment.

How to Choose Micronised Quartz for Paint

The right product is determined by three parameters that your application requires:

Fineness (grain size): Gloss, film thickness and surface texture depend on fineness. Finer grain gives a smoother film and higher matting; coarser grain provides filling and texture. Different micron values can be requested to suit your needs.
Purity and iron: Low iron is essential in light-coloured and white paints; there is more flexibility with dark colours.
Oil absorption and dispersion: Fine quartz affects the resin–solvent balance; the formulation is adjusted accordingly.

To determine the right fineness together, you can review our micronised quartz product page or request a sample.

Why Silis Kum?

Our micronised quartz is ground under controlled conditions at our own facilities in the Trakya region and classified by particle-size distribution. Every batch is analysed in our own laboratory, and a batch report is provided with each shipment. Before you decide, you can try it in your paint with a free sample. To determine the quartz best suited to your application together, get in touch with us.