Multilayer interference pigments

A process for preparing a multilayer interference pigment comprising platelet-shaped titanium dioxide as carrier material, coated with alternating layers of metal oxides of low and high refractive index, obtained by hydrolysis of inorganic metal compounds, the difference in the refractive index between the alternating layers, being at least 0.1, where the process comprises:

• a) applying an aqueous solution of a thermally hydrolysable inorganic titanium compound as a thin film to a continuous belt,
• b) solidifying the liquid film by drying, during the course of which the titanium dioxide is developed from the solution by means of a chemical reaction,
• c) detaching the resulting layer from the belt to obtain titanium dioxide platelets,
• d) suspending the titanium dioxide platelets obtained, with or without drying in between, in water and coating with, alternately, a metal oxide hydrate of a high refractive index and a metal oxide hydrate of a low refractive index, by addition and hydrolysis of the corresponding water soluble inorganic metal compounds, and
• e) separating out the coated titanium dioxide platelets from the aqueous suspension, drying and, optionally, calcining.