W13-A-004 — Rutile vs Anatase TiO₂
1. What decision is the buyer trying to make?
Which TiO₂ crystal form to specify for a given end-use, weathering exposure and processing temperature.
2. Which variables actually matter?
- Outdoor exposure and required weathering life
- Processing temperature and residence time
- Opacity vs whiteness balance (undertone: blue vs yellow)
- Chalking behaviour of the finished part
- Coating (alumina/silica, organic) and dispersibility
- End-use regulatory (food, toy, coatings)
3. Which variables are commonly misunderstood?
- Anatase is not "cheap rutile." It has different UV behaviour and typically higher chalking tendency outdoors.
- Rutile grades are not interchangeable — undertone and coating define the practical performance.
- "Higher TiO₂ content" ≠ better hiding at all loadings; dispersion dominates above a threshold.
4. What additional information is required before deciding?
- Indoor vs outdoor use and expected life
- Substrate polymer and process
- Undertone target
- Regulatory scope
- Benchmark grade currently in use
5. What should be included in the RFQ?
- Application (indoor / outdoor / semi-outdoor)
- Polymer + process
- Undertone requirement
- Regulatory scope
- Volume and packaging
- Current benchmark grade
So what should the buyer investigate next?
Whether their exposure profile and undertone target justify rutile (usually yes for outdoor / high-durability) — and which specific rutile coating fits their process.
Bridges
- W5 — Titanium Dioxide vertical (grade selection, opacity mechanisms)
- W4 — White Masterbatch
- W13-A-001 — White MB vs Direct TiO₂