Titanium Dioxide for Plastics
Inter-China Chemical supplies surface-treated rutile titanium dioxide grades for masterbatch, film, extrusion, injection molding, PVC, polyolefins and engineering plastics. The portfolio includes the DR Series and additional R-F and CR grades for different requirements in opacity, color, dispersion, processing stability and outdoor durability.
Grade selection should consider the resin system, TiO₂ loading, processing temperature, surface treatment, moisture sensitivity, target color, outdoor exposure and downstream filtration requirements. Use the product guide and technical resources below to identify the most suitable starting grade for evaluation.
Titanium Dioxide Grades for Plastics
Select a starting grade according to the plastic system, processing conditions and required application performance. Final qualification should always be completed in the customer’s actual formulation and production process.
DR-2588
General plastics, masterbatch and film applications requiring color, opacity and reliable processing.
DR-2588+
High-loading and higher-temperature plastic processing where moisture and flow behavior require attention.
DR-2588T
Pigment pastes, color chips and flexible PVC systems requiring whiteness, tinting strength and dispersion.
DR-2589
Exterior PVC, polyolefins and other outdoor plastics requiring weatherability and appearance retention.
DR-2688
PC and selected engineering plastics requiring lightness, yellowing control and polymer-property retention.
Additional R-F and CR rutile titanium dioxide grades are listed below for formulation-specific evaluation.
Plastic Applications and Resin Systems
Titanium dioxide performance in plastics depends on the resin, pigment loading, processing temperature, additives and final application. The following systems represent the main application areas covered by ICC titanium dioxide grades.
Polyolefins
PE and PP masterbatch, film, pipes, containers and molded products requiring dispersion, opacity and stable processing.
Rigid and Flexible PVC
Profiles, pipes, sheets, flooring, films and cable compounds requiring color, thermal stability or outdoor durability.
Polystyrene and ABS
HIPS, ABS and selected blends requiring whiteness, tinting strength, opacity and reliable dispersion.
PC and Engineering Plastics
PC and selected engineering polymers requiring yellowing control, lightness and retention of polymer properties.
PET, PBT and Polyamide
Higher-temperature processing systems where moisture, compatibility, dispersion and processing stability require evaluation.
Outdoor and Functional Plastics
Exterior plastics and solar heat-management systems requiring weatherability, appearance retention or near-infrared performance.
Final grade selection should be confirmed in the customer’s actual resin, formulation, equipment and processing conditions.
How to Select Titanium Dioxide for Plastics
Titanium dioxide selection for plastics should begin with the resin system and production process—not TiO₂ content alone. Surface treatment, dispersion behavior, moisture, pigment loading, processing temperature and outdoor exposure can all influence the final color, opacity, throughput and product stability.
ICC recommends comparing candidate grades at the same pigment loading and under the customer’s actual extrusion, injection-molding, film or masterbatch conditions.
A certificate of analysis confirms basic quality parameters, but application testing determines whether a titanium dioxide grade is suitable for a specific polymer, formulation and production line.
Match the Grade to the Plastic System
| Plastic System | Primary Evaluation Requirements | Recommended Starting Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Masterbatch, film and general plastics | Color, opacity, dispersion, particle spots, filter pressure, melt flow and processing volatility | DR-2588 |
| High-loading and higher-temperature plastics | Moisture uptake, oil absorption, flow behavior, particle spots and processing stability | DR-2588+ |
| Pigment pastes, color chips and flexible PVC | Whiteness, hiding power, tinting strength and dispersion in liquid or plasticized systems | DR-2588T |
| Outdoor PVC and polyolefins | Weatherability, color retention, chalking resistance, opacity and heat stability | DR-2589 |
| PC and selected engineering plastics | Lightness, yellowing control, polymer stability, melt flow and mechanical-property retention | DR-2688 |
Why Surface Treatment Matters
Inorganic Surface Treatment
Alumina, silica and other inorganic treatments can influence surface activity, durability, wettability and compatibility with the polymer system.
Organic Surface Treatment
Organic treatment can further adjust dispersion, moisture behavior, melt processing and compatibility with masterbatch or plastic formulations.
Two grades with similar TiO₂ content can therefore behave differently in the same resin and processing line. Surface-treatment design should be evaluated together with the complete formulation rather than treated as an isolated specification.
Evaluate Application Performance, Not Only the COA
| Performance Area | Typical Evaluation Indicators | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Color | L*, a*, b*, whiteness and tinting strength | Confirms appearance and color efficiency in the actual formulation |
| Opacity | Hiding power, contrast ratio and film transmittance | Connects pigment loading with final optical performance |
| Dispersion | Fineness, sieve residue, particle spots and filter pressure | Affects surface quality, screen pressure and continuous processing |
| Processing | Melt flow, viscosity, moisture, volatility and temperature response | Determines throughput, process stability and operating window |
| Durability | UV exposure, color difference, gloss retention and chalking | Confirms appearance retention in outdoor applications |
| Engineering Properties | Impact, tensile, thermal and melt-flow retention | Important for PC and other engineering-plastic systems |
Recommended Qualification Process
Define the system
Confirm the resin, pigment loading, additives, equipment and processing temperature.
Select candidates
Shortlist grades according to color, processing, durability and end-use requirements.
Compare consistently
Use the same pigment loading, formulation, mixing conditions and test methods.
Validate production
Confirm dispersion, throughput, screen pressure, appearance and finished-part performance.
Special-Performance Plastic Systems
For plastics and films designed for passive solar heat management, evaluate the IR Series infrared-reflective TiO₂. Visible color, total solar reflectance and near-infrared performance require a different selection approach from conventional white-pigment applications.
Regulatory and Application Responsibility
Food-contact, medical, cosmetic and other regulated applications require market-specific documentation, formulation review and customer qualification. General technical data should not be interpreted as regulatory approval for a finished product or end-use application.
Explore ICC Technical Resources
Review DR Series application reports, product-selection guidance and technical white papers, or contact ICC to discuss your resin system and evaluation requirements.