Titanium dioxide pigments usually contain up to 0.5% of water soluble inorganic salts which consist of Na, SO
4, K, Cl, etc. The effects of these ions on the electropainting process were studied. Of these only the acid ions, especially SO
42-, exerted pronounced evil influences. Several rutile-type pigments with the same surface-treatments but with different levels of SO
42- ion concentration were prepared. These pigments were dispersed in a water-soluble alkyd resin and an acrylic resin varnishes, and their electrodeposition properties were compared. The dissolved S0
42- ions accelerated the electrolysis of water during the electrodeposition process. Oxygen gas and sulfuric acid formed on anode produced pinholes in the electrodeposited film decreasing the gloss of the baked film, and accelerated the anodic dissolution of iron substrate. Ferric and ferrous ions thus produced were taken up by the electrodeposited film, giving brownish color and poor weathering resistance to the baked film. Soluble SO
42- ions lowered the Coulomb efficiency of electrodeposition and thus the film thickness.
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