TI-PURE™ TITANIUM DIOXIDE FOR DECORATIVE PAINTS. Using High-Quality Titanium Dioxide Improves Architectural Coating Formulations

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Because of its high brightness and very high refractive index—higher, even, than diamonds— titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the most widely used white pigment in paints today. With approximately 95% of paints manufactured using TiO2 pigment,² more than 4.6 million tons are consumed annually at an annual average growth of 2.7%.¹

Interior and exterior architectural coatings use TiO2 because it enables vibrant colors and excellent opacity. When used in outdoor applications, TiO2 also protects against UV degradation and resists fading. A high-quality TiO2 is essential for creating paints with these aesthetic and performance attributes.

¹Source: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es8032549

²Source: https://tdma.info/how-titanium-dioxide-bene-fits-the-circular-economy/

The World’s Most Commonly Used White Pigment

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Premium TiO2 Makes Better Coatings

Using a high-grade TiO2 helps paint achieve full coverage, vibrant color, and a new-looking ap-pearance for years to come. Quality paints that use premium TiO2:

• Apply more easily, flow better, and splatter less during application

• Require fewer coats for the same coverage

• Cover surfaces smoothly and evenly, hiding substrate imperfections

• Better resist chalking, fading, peeling, flaking, dirt, and mildew

• Clean more easily than paints that use a lower-quality TiO2

• Can attain a wide range of colors to suit customer preferences

Because paints that feature premium TiO2 look better longer, painters achieve higher standards of durability, appearance, and opacity without the need for frequent re-coats and touch ups. Applications reduce the need for multiple coats, which minimizes waste and increases customer satisfaction.

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Methods Used to Process TiO2

After TiO2 is mined, it is processed by either the sulfite or chloride method to procure the correct particle size prior to its addition to paint systems. These processes yield pigmentary clusters of TiO2 crystals that require additional grinding to attain optimum optical performance.

This process—developed by Chemours (previously DuPont) in the 1950s to produce rutile TiO2—creates a cleaner, whiter, and higher-quality product with less waste and a lower environmental footprint. The chloride process also produces TiO2 with greater product consistency, resulting in less variable pigment properties in paints and coatings.

Chloride manufacturing uses high-temperature reactions to obtain titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) and other metallic chloride impuri-ties, which are removed. Highly purified TiCl4 is oxidized at high temperatures to produce an intermediate TiO2 with a controlled particle size distribution and the right crystal type as well as good brightness, high hiding power, and tinting strength.

In this process, sulfuric acid dissolves ore containing titanium to yield a solution of titanium, iron, and other metal sulfates. Additional steps that include chemical reduction, purification, precipitation, washing, and calcination produce a pigment-sized intermediate TiO2. Nucleation and calcination control the anatase and rutile crystal structure formations.

Chloride Manufacturing ProcessSulfate Manufacturing Process

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Slurry Makeup

TiO2 Manufacturing Process

Crystallization

SULFATE

Titanium Ore

Solution Filtration and Washing

H2SO4

Crystallization

Ferrous Sulfate

Calcination

Intermediate TiO2

Precipitation

CHLORIDE

Titanium Ore

Oxidation

Chlorine

Chlorides of metals other then Titanium

Intermediate TiO2Purification

Carbon Oxygen

FINISHING

Intermediate TiO2

Additives

GrindingSurface Modification Packing

Finishing Slurry Storage

Loading and Shipping

Filtration and Washing

Figure 1: TiO2 Manufacturing Process

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Not All TiO2 Is Created Equal

Navigating the titanium dioxide product market and understanding brand quality differences can be confusing, due in part from product labeling. “Titanium dioxide” can refer to any pigment that contains a compound of titanium, which can result in yellow pigments. While many paint formulas include TiO2, they do not use the same quality across brands and grades. This lack of uniform quality leads to inconsistent, unreliable performance from batch to batch.

Each component used in a coatings formula contributes to its overall performance and can impact the efficacy of other ingredients.

Because coatings have become more specialized, it's critically important to use the most consistent, high-performing ingredients in formulations. A low-quality TiO2 can cause

variability from batch to batch, which leads to more corrections and higher production costs—and ultimately, dissatisfied customers. Top-of-the-line paints cost more because they contain premium ingredients and a larger percentage of solids. More solids—including TiO2 pigments—yield longer-lasting coating and coverage. Better-performing paints can also drive consumer preference and profitability for paint producers.

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Chemours’ technical expertise and understanding of paint applications enable the production of high-quality Ti-Pure™ TiO2. Titanium dioxide depends on particle dispersion to achieve optimal hiding. Ti-Pure™ particles are surface-treated during processing to ensure that they don't settle to the bottom or clump within the paint. TiO2 that’s dispersed well in the paint formulation achieves maximum light refraction to enable optimal hiding power and creates a uniform, smooth look in the finished color.

TiO2 also enhances a coating’s UV absorbing capacity because the pigment absorbs UV light-forming free radicals (photocatalysis). UV light energy changes into chemical energy (free radicals) which form on the TiO2 surface but can travel to resin molecules and initiate degradation reactions that lead to film failure.

The surface treatment and radical formation rate of a pigment determine whether it is considered durable or non-durable. These grades refer to the effect TiO2 has on a paint’s weather resistance. Durable and super-durable TiO2 grades include a layer of silica that is applied during pigment production to prevent radical formation.

Chemours treats TiO2 pigments to reduce photocatalysis and turn them into efficient UV-degradation protecting agents without negative photocatalysis effects. The specific surface treatment on a grade of TiO2 depends on the coating requirement for outdoor durability. Chemours tests how Ti-Pure™ and competitive pigments perform in paints exposed to prolonged sunlight and weather—important for exterior paints and interior paints used in rooms with many windows. Chemours evaluates changes in appearance and the functional value of exposed pigmented coatings, including color and gloss retention and film integrity (flaking, cracking, chalking).

High-Quality TiO2

3Source: https://www.colourphil.co.uk/lab_lch_colour_space.shtml

⁴Source: https://standards.globalspec.com/std/10064519/ASTM%20D281

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Chemours conducts several tests to sure Ti-Pure™ titanium dioxide’s consistency.

These include:

• A laser light-scattering technique to analyze particle size distribution

• X-ray fluorescence analysis for precise surface treatment control

• Dispersion measurement using the Hegman fineness of an alkyd mill base or a screening technique to evaluate aqueous dispersion

• Using the CIE L*a*b* color space3 to determine the dry color

• The spatula rubout linseed oil test—similar to ASTM D291-314—to verify oil absorption

• Accelerated weathering to analyze photocatalytic degradation using weatherometers (WOM) with xenon lamps

Ensuring the Highest Quality TiO2 Pigments

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Architectural coatings continue to be the fastest growing coatings segment.

Regulations, consumer awareness, and color trends drive pigment choices, coating compositions, and even technology needs in architectural coatings.

The Ti-Pure™ technical and marketing teams collaborate with customers to produce better quality paints that deliver more value.

Chemours works closely with the suppliers of new resins and additive technologies to provide customers with the best overall solutions— and to ensure that paint producers can successfully create diverse effects, follow color trends, and align with the needs of consumer-focused end markets.

Chemours tests thousands of architectural paints around the world to measure what a high-quality paint looks like in different markets.

A New Collaborative Approach for Coatings

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Additionally, they survey painters worldwide to identify preferences and trends, using that data to produce TiO2 that best meets those requirements.

Chemours Titanium Technologies works to ensure its customers to have confidence in the product and Chemours’ commitment to a sustained investment in product innovation.

The information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and based on technical data that Chemours believes to be reliable. Chemours makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and assumes no liability in connection with any use of this information. Nothing herein is to be taken as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe on any patents or trademarks.

©2019 The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Chemours and any associated logos are trademarks or copyrights of The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Chemours™ and the Chemours logo are trademarks of The Chemours Company.

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About Ti-Pure™

Ti-Pure™ delivers brightness you can see and performance you can measure.

Paints that contain Ti-Pure™ offer:

• Better Processability: High-quality Ti-Pure™ TiO2 pigments ensure consistency from batch to batch.

• Superior Hiding Power: Creating brighter brights and whiter whites, Ti-Pure™ increases hiding power for uniform, one coat coverage without needing to prime.

• Ease of Application: With fewer drips, smoother brush strokes, and faster drying time, Ti-Pure™ pigments boost productivity and faster drying time Ti-Pure(tm) tio2 helps boost paints' productivty

• Uncompromising Endurance: The UV protection afforded by Ti-Pure™ leaves a durable, washable surface that resists fading, cracking, and discoloration over time.

• A Smaller Environmental Footprint: Long-lasting paint that requires just one coat is better for the environment—the cradle-to-grave carbon footprint of Ti-Pure™ paints is 22%⁵ smaller than that of paint

As one of the world’s largest producers of TiO2, boasting nearly 90 years of experience, our high-quality pigments are specifically formulated to meet the needs of consumers, professional painters, and builders.

Asia Pacific – North: + 86 40 0805 6528

Asia Pacific – South: + 91 22 6227 3300

Europe/Middle East/Africa: +41 22 719 1500

Latin America - Brazil: 0800 110 728

Latin America - Mexico: 01 800 737 5623 / +52 55 5125-4907 (DF)

US & Canada: + 1 800 441 9437

For more information, visit Ti-Pure.com/ROI or call 1-800-441-9437

Additional Contact Information:

3Source: Chemours internal study