Anatase Titanium Dioxide Grades
Inter-China Chemical supplies sulfate-process anatase titanium dioxide grades for general industrial, polymer and synthetic-fiber applications. The portfolio includes multipurpose pigments, fiber grades for polyester, viscose, acrylic and nylon systems, and economical customized grades for selected plastics and coatings.
Grade selection should consider the application system, surface treatment, TiO₂ content, dispersibility, filterability, electrical resistivity, moisture, pigment loading and processing conditions. Anatase grades are generally evaluated for indoor or non-durable applications unless application-specific performance has been confirmed.
How to Select Anatase Titanium Dioxide Grades
Anatase titanium dioxide is used as a white pigment and functional process material in selected industrial, polymer and synthetic-fiber applications. Commercial pigment-grade anatase products are processed white powders and should not be confused with descriptions of naturally occurring anatase minerals, whose appearance may vary because of crystal form and impurities.
Anatase grade selection should be based on the complete application system. TiO₂ content alone does not determine suitability. Surface treatment, impurity control, dispersibility, filterability, electrical resistivity, moisture, sieve residue, pigment loading and processing conditions can all influence final performance.
Anatase pigments are generally evaluated for indoor, non-durable, fiber or application-specific systems. Exterior durability, weatherability, regulatory suitability and compatibility with a particular polymer or formulation should never be assumed without testing and supporting documentation.
ICC Anatase Titanium Dioxide Portfolio
| Grade | Product Positioning | Suggested Starting Applications | Key Qualification Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-F100 | Multipurpose anatase pigment | Selected paints, plastics, rubber and other general industrial applications | Whiteness, hiding power, dispersion and non-durable application suitability |
| A-F230 | Fiber-grade anatase pigment | Polyester, viscose and acrylic fiber systems | Dispersion, filterability, matte appearance, fiber uniformity and spinning stability |
| A-F230A | Surface-treated fiber-grade anatase | Acrylic and viscose fiber systems | Dispersibility, filterability, electrical resistivity and polymer compatibility |
| A-F230N | Nylon-oriented fiber anatase | Nylon and application-specific synthetic-fiber systems | Filterability, dispersion, moisture, spinning pressure and fiber appearance |
| A-F260 | High-purity grade for regulated specialty evaluation | Applications requiring grade-specific purity and regulatory documentation | Current regulatory status, purity, trace substances, migration requirements and jurisdiction |
| A-F500 | Economical customized anatase-based grade | Selected plastics and paint formulations | Composition, color, opacity, dispersion and cost-performance balance |
| A-F550 | Economical customized anatase-based grade | Selected plastics and paint formulations | Composition, pigment loading, whiteness, opacity and process compatibility |
The portfolio descriptions above are starting points for product evaluation. Final recommendations should be confirmed against the current Technical Data Sheet, Safety Data Sheet and customer-specific processing conditions.
Anatase Versus Rutile for Pigment Applications
Anatase grades are commonly evaluated for synthetic fibers, interior or non-durable pigments and other application-specific systems. They can provide whiteness and controlled appearance, but weatherability and exterior durability should not be assumed.
Rutile grades generally provide higher optical efficiency and are more commonly selected for demanding coating and plastic applications requiring opacity and outdoor-durability evaluation. The final choice still depends on grade design and formulation.
Key Grade-Selection Variables
Inorganic and organic treatments influence wetting, dispersion, moisture response, compatibility and processing behavior.
Standard pigment grades and economical customized grades should not be compared only by price per kilogram. Active pigment content and complete composition affect formulation value.
Iron and other trace substances may influence color, polymer compatibility, thermal response or regulated-use qualification.
Fiber and polymer applications require controlled dispersion and filtration behavior to reduce agglomerates and processing instability.
Moisture can influence polymer processing, spinning stability, surface appearance and downstream product quality.
If the finished product will face outdoor exposure, heat, light or long service life, application-specific aging tests are required.
Evaluation for Synthetic-Fiber Applications
Fiber-grade anatase pigments should be evaluated in the actual polymer, masterbatch or spinning system. Suitable indicators may include:
- Fineness of dispersion and agglomerate control
- Filter pressure rise and filterability
- Spinneret pressure and spinning stability
- Fiber breakage and downstream processing behavior
- Matte effect, whiteness and color uniformity
- Fiber mechanical properties at the selected TiO₂ loading
- Moisture and thermal-processing response
- Batch-to-batch consistency in the complete fiber system
Evaluation for Plastics and Coatings
- L*, a* and b* color values and visual undertone
- Opacity, hiding power and tinting response
- Dispersion under the selected processing conditions
- Moisture, volatiles and processing stability
- Gloss or matte appearance in the complete formulation
- Compatibility with the resin, binder and additive package
- Heat and light exposure where required
- Finished-product performance under actual end-use conditions
Practical Qualification Workflow
- Define the polymer, fiber, coating or industrial application.
- Identify durability, purity, regulatory and processing requirements.
- Select candidate grades from the ICC portfolio according to application positioning.
- Prepare control and candidate formulations at consistent TiO₂ loading.
- Use the same dispersion, filtration, processing and testing conditions.
- Compare color, opacity, dispersion and application-specific processing indicators.
- Optimize pigment loading and process conditions after the initial comparison.
- Confirm the selected grade in production-scale trials before commercial use.
Titanium dioxide products should be handled in accordance with the applicable Safety Data Sheet. Dust generation should be controlled during transfer, weighing and dispersion. Suitability for food, food-contact, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, medical or other regulated applications must be confirmed using current product documentation and the regulations applicable in the intended market. Historical classifications or general references should not be treated as current authorization.