Cosmetics Without Titanium Dioxide-What Is Rutile Grade Titanium Dioxide

Rutile grade titanium dioxide is a specific type of titanium dioxide pigment that has a crystal structure known as rutile. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a white, powdery substance that is used extensively as a pigment in paints, coatings, plastics, paper, and other materials to provide opacity and whiteness.

The rutile crystal structure is one of the two most common forms of titanium dioxide, with the other being the anatase form. Rutile has a tetragonal crystal structure and is the more stable form of the two. Because of its stability, rutile grade titanium dioxide is often preferred for outdoor applications where resistance to UV radiation and durability are important.

Here are some key characteristics of rutile grade titanium dioxide:

1. **UV Resistance**: Rutile has excellent resistance to UV radiation, which makes it suitable for use in products that are exposed to sunlight, such as paints and plastics for outdoor applications.

2. **Opacity**: Rutile grade titanium dioxide provides high opacity, which means it can effectively hide the substrate color, giving a clean, white finish to the final product.

3. **Durability**: It offers good durability and is less prone to color change over time compared to the anatase form.

4. **dispersibility**: Rutile particles can be more easily dispersed in various media, which can improve the manufacturing process and the quality of the final product.

5. **Refractive Index**: Rutile has a higher refractive index than anatase, which contributes to its opacity and brightness.

Rutile grade titanium dioxide is produced by processing titanium ore, typically through a process called the sulfate process or the chloride process. During production, the crystal structure is controlled to ensure the product has the desired properties for its intended applications.

Due to its superior properties, rutile grade titanium dioxide is often more expensive than anatase grade, but it is the preferred choice for many industrial applications where the highest quality and performance are required.