Titanium dioxide pigment comes in two main crystal forms: rutile and anatase. They share the same chemistry — TiO₂ — but the crystal lattice differs, and that difference drives almost everything a buyer cares about: opacity, durability, abrasiveness and price.
Rutile: the workhorse
Rutile is the denser, more stable crystal form, with a higher refractive index. In practice that means stronger light scattering — better hiding power and tinting strength per kilo — and far better resistance to weathering. Rutile grades dominate exterior paints, industrial and powder coatings, plastics and masterbatch, which is why they make up the core of the OxiWhite catalogue.
Anatase: the specialist
Anatase is softer, slightly bluer in undertone and less opaque. It chalks faster outdoors, so it is rarely used in exterior systems. But it remains a sensible, economical choice for interior applications, paper, rubber and some inks where extreme durability is not required and its lower abrasiveness is an advantage.
Quick comparison
- Opacity & tinting strength
- Rutile is clearly stronger thanks to its higher refractive index.
- Exterior durability
- Rutile resists chalking and photocatalytic breakdown; anatase is for interior use.
- Abrasiveness
- Anatase is softer and gentler on equipment — useful in paper and fibre applications.
- Typical applications
- Rutile: paints, coatings, plastics, masterbatch, inks. Anatase: interior paints, paper, rubber, some speciality uses.
Which do you need?
For exterior or performance-critical work, the answer is almost always rutile. If you are formulating interior or paper products where cost and low abrasion matter more than durability, anatase may be worth a look. OxiWhite Global focuses on certified rutile grades for paint, coatings, plastics and masterbatch — see the range or read our selection guide.