TiO2 Pigments in Glossy Acrylic Paints

By Artur Palasz

Titanium dioxide is the most important white pigment in waterborne architectural paints. Even though it is one of the most expensive raw materials in the formulation, subject to numerous price fluctuations and turbulence related to changes in the hazard classification, titanium dioxide is the most effective pigment for providing opacity to white and light shades. In addition to opacity, the structure, surface treatment, and grade of titanium dioxide pigments are valued in architectural coatings, as described in ASTM D476. Titanium dioxide in waterborne paints is used in architectural paints, on wood, and on metal and other substrates. Thanks to its very high opacity, it has replaced zinc oxide and barium sulphate in many applications. However, to maximize the effectiveness of titanium dioxide pigment in a formulation, it must be incorporated into the paint in a specific manner. This involves the agglomeration of the titanium dioxide particles; in its commercial form, titanium dioxide is a powder with aggregated and agglomerated particles.