Rutile is one of the two crystal forms of titanium dioxide used as a pigment, and it is the one that dominates industrial supply. Chemically it is the same TiO₂ as anatase, but the tighter crystal lattice gives a higher refractive index, greater density and much better stability under light and weather.
Key properties
- High refractive index
- Around 2.7, higher than anatase. That is the source of rutile's superior hiding power and tinting strength.
- Weathering resistance
- Rutile resists chalking and photocatalytic attack on the binder, making it the standard for exterior coatings and outdoor plastics.
- Surface treatment
- Most performance grades carry an inorganic coating of alumina, silica or zirconia plus an organic treatment for wetting and dispersion.
- Rutile content
- Published as a percentage; high-performance grades are typically ≥ 97 % rutile.
Benefits for manufacturers
- More opacity per kilogram, so lower pigment loading for the same hiding.
- Longer service life in exterior paint films and outdoor plastic parts.
- Cleaner, bluer whites and brighter pastel shades.
- UV protection for the polymer or binder around it.
How rutile is made
Rutile pigment is produced by the sulfate process, which digests ilmenite or titanium slag in sulfuric acid, or by the chloride process, which converts high-grade feedstock to titanium tetrachloride and oxidises it. The chloride route gives tighter particle-size control; the sulfate route is flexible and cost-efficient. Both are represented in our range.
For a deeper comparison, read sulfate vs chloride TiO₂ and rutile vs anatase.
Want datasheets for our certified rutile grades? Send us an enquiry or browse the grade catalogue.