Anatase Titanium Dioxide vs. Rutile Titanium Dioxide: Uncovering the Distinctions and Application Domains of Two Principal Types of Titanium Dioxide

Titanium dioxide is an important inorganic pigment. Titanium dioxide is mainly divided into two categories based on crystal type: rutile-type titanium dioxide (Rutile, abbreviated as R type) and anatase-type titanium dioxide (Anatase, abbreviated as A type). Currently, these two types are the most widely used in the market, but their properties are quite different.1. Distinctive Features Rutile titanium dioxide possesses a dense crystal lattice structure, thereby exhibiting high chemical stability, weather resistance, water resistance, and resistance to yellowing and powdering.However, its whiteness may be slightly lower than that of anatase.Anatase titanium dioxide has poor weather resistance and is prone to yellowing and pulverization.However, its whiteness is high and it has good light scattering ability, so it has strong hiding power.
2. Physical property difference: Rutile type has higher thermal stability and can maintain structural stability at high temperatures.Anatase: It is stable at room temperature, but it will transform to rutile at high temperatures, so its thermal stability is relatively low.
Crystal morphology and structure Rutile type: The crystal is elongated and prismatic, usually twin crystal, with dense structure, stable ratio, and low photochemical activity.Anatase: The crystal morphology is generally similar to a regular octahedron, with a relatively loose structure.
 
Physical properties: density and hardness: rutile titanium dioxide has higher density and hardness than anatase titanium dioxide, specifically with a Mohs hardness of 6-6.5 for rutile titanium dioxide and 5.5-6.0 for anatase titanium dioxide.Electrical properties: The dielectric constant and semiconductor properties of rutile are very important for the electronics industry, while the dielectric constant of anatase is relatively low.Hygroscopicity: Although the hygroscopicity of titanium dioxide is related to its surface area and surface treatment, rutile-type titanium dioxide generally has a lower hygroscopicity than anatase-type titanium dioxide.
Optical properties Refractive index: The refractive index of rutile is higher than that of anatase, so its hiding power and glossiness are better.In terms of specific values, the refractive index of rutile is 2.71, while that of anatase is 2.52.Ultraviolet absorption: In the ultraviolet wavelength range, rutile type titanium dioxide has a higher absorption rate of ultraviolet light than anatase type, which makes rutile type titanium dioxide more advantageous in applications requiring ultraviolet resistance.
Rutile type: It has a clear melting point and boiling point, with a melting point of 1850℃ and a boiling point of (3200±300)℃.Anatase: Since it transforms into rutile at high temperatures, its melting and boiling points are essentially non-existent.3. Differences in application fields
Rutile Titanium Dioxide Rutile Titanium Dioxide is widely used in the manufacture of high-grade outdoor coatings, light latex coatings, high-grade paper and rubber materials.Due to its good weather resistance, it is also often used in durable plastic products for external use.In addition, it is also used in the ink printing industry.Coating industry: Due to its excellent hiding power and gloss, rutile titanium dioxide is widely used in the coating industry, especially in coatings that require high decorative effects and weather resistance.It can provide excellent hiding power and gloss, making the coating have excellent decorative effect and weather resistance.Plastic industry: increase the whiteness and brightness of plastic products, enhance the visual experience and market competitiveness of products.Rubber industry: improve the surface smoothness and color stability of rubber products.Paper industry: Increase the whiteness and glossiness of paper to achieve better printing results.Other fields: such as cosmetics, ceramics, glass, etc., rutile titanium dioxide also plays an important role.In cosmetics, it is used as a key ingredient in foundation make-up, eye shadow and other products, providing a silky texture and natural concealer effect.Anatase titanium dioxide is mainly used in the manufacture of white and light-colored interior paints, and is also widely used as a coloring agent and filler in paper, rubber, and plastic products.Coating industry: Although it may not be as popular as rutile in some high-end coatings, anatase titanium dioxide still has some application space in some coatings that require cost.Plastics and rubber industry: used to increase the whiteness and gloss of materials, especially in products that do not require extreme weather resistance.Textile and chemical fiber industry: Anatase titanium dioxide is widely used in these fields due to its relatively low price and certain whiteness and hiding power.In addition, in the process of chemical fiber extinction, anatase titanium dioxide is often used to avoid abrasion of the spinning holes.Other fields: such as ink, tires, building materials, cosmetics, etc., anatase titanium dioxide also plays an important role.For example, in the ink industry, anatase titanium dioxide can improve the color brightness and glossiness of ink;In the tire industry, it can increase the anti-ultraviolet performance and wear resistance of tires.