Titanium dioxide, also called Titania, (TiO2), a white, opaque, naturally occurring mineral existing in a number of crystalline forms, the most important of which are rutile and anatase. These naturally occurring oxide forms can be mined and serve as a source for commercial titanium. Titanium dioxide is odourless and absorbent. Its most important function in powder form is as a widely used pigment for lending whiteness and opacity.
Titanium dioxide has been used as a bleaching and opacifying agent in porcelain enamels, giving them brightness, hardness, and acid resistance. In modern times it is used in cosmetics, such as in skin care products and sunscreen lotions, with claims that titanium dioxide protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation because of its property to absorb ultraviolet light.
The photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide results in thin coatings exhibiting self-cleaning and disinfecting properties under exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Alloys are characterized by being lightweight and having very high tensile strength (even at high temperatures), high corrosion resistance, and an ability to withstand extreme temperatures and thus are used principally in aircraft, pipes for power plants, armour plating, naval ships, spacecraft, and missiles.
Titanium cioxide is an inorganic chemical that's highiy stable and non-reactive, even at high temperatures This means it can be used in the manfacture ofa range of products from paint and food additives to ceramics, adhesives, and even toothpaste,.In these products it's used aither as one of the main ingredients. as a precursor, or as a catalyst.
Paint: Titaniun afoxide oused as a white colour bigment that provides anopaque coverage. Titanium white, the pisment,is the most aopu lar shade of white to paint withibecause of this opaque and cloudy effect.
Food additive: As a food aceftive, TiO, is mainvused as afcoo colc an and is often ased in D confectioner, baking, and sauices.
Sunscreen: Togethet with zinc oxide, titaniuim diaxide is very effective at blockinguitravioletrays from the sun, acting as a mineraf sunscrean that phys ca lyslocks and defects sunlight. This is because its nanopalticres act as verysmall mirfors that reflect sunlight.
Coatings: Since this compound can naturally block UV rays, it's also an effective chemical coating that can protect painted surfaces against UV damage, In this way, it helps in the longevity of the surface.
Adhesives: Titanium dioxide minimises the potential of cracking or colour fading in plastics, Similanly, it prevents brittleness in rubber when exposed to sunlight, and is added to adhesives for rubber and plastic materials for these reasons.
Ceramics: Pure or elemental titanium has the highest tensile strength to density ratio, This means that it can handle tremendous pull and shear force, However, titanium dioxide is a mineral and can easily become powdered. With that in mind, it's used in ceramic manufacturing not for its strength but for the glaze it imparts on the ceramic as a result of this mineral crystallizing during cooling.
