How to Choose Rutile Titanium Dioxide for Coatings

Build a TDS-backed shortlist, then confirm the choice in the target coating system.

Quick Answer: Start with the coating sub-segment, binder system, exterior or interior exposure, opacity and gloss target, dispersion method, and benchmark grade. Compare only the properties stated in each current TDS. Chloride versus sulfate process is useful context, but final selection requires grade-specific data and formulation testing.

Coatings Grade Shortlist

Grade Process TDS-listed applications Selected current TDS data Technical data sheet
M-350 Chloride process High-end decorative paints; Printing inks; Automotive paints; Industrial paints; Plastics TiO2 content: 93.5% typical (92.5% minimum); Rutile content: 100% typical (99.0% minimum); Oil absorption: 18 g/100 g typical Request M-350 TDS
M-510 Chloride process Interior and exterior architectural coatings; Automotive OEM and refinish paints; Coil, anticorrosion, decorative, and powder coatings; Letterpress, offset, and intaglio printing inks; Engineering plastics, masterbatch, and profiles TiO2 content: 94.5%; Rutile content: 99.9%; Tinting strength: 118% Request M-510 TDS
M-896 Chloride process Water-based and solvent-based industrial coatings; Coil coatings; Protective and marine coatings; Automotive OEM and refinish coatings; Exterior powder coatings; Weather-resistant architectural coatings TiO2 content: 92%; Oil absorption: 18 g/100 g; Moisture when packed: 0.5% maximum Request M-896 TDS
M-895 Chloride process Interior architectural coatings; Exterior architectural coatings; Industrial coatings TiO2 content: 94%; Oil absorption: 16 g/100 g; Moisture when packed: 0.5% maximum Request M-895 TDS
M-996 Sulfate process Industrial coatings; Powder coatings; Exterior architectural coatings; Interior architectural coatings TiO2 content: 95%; Oil absorption: 18 g/100 g; Moisture when packed: 0.5% maximum Request M-996 TDS
M-2196 Sulfate process Industrial coatings; Powder coatings; Exterior architectural coatings; Interior architectural coatings TiO2 content: 95%; Oil absorption: 18 g/100 g; Moisture when packed: 0.5% maximum Request M-2196 TDS
M-52 Sulfate process Printing inks; Can coatings; High-gloss interior architectural coatings TiO2 content: 94.5%; Oil absorption: 14 g/100 g; Moisture when packed: 0.3% maximum Request M-52 TDS
M-2377 Not stated in current TDS Coatings and paints; Printing inks; Plastics; Rubber and paper TiO2 content: 93.0% minimum; Rutile content: 97.0% minimum; Oil absorption: 16-20 g/100 g Request M-2377 TDS

Values shown are taken from the current grade-specific TDS and are not a sales specification. Confirm formulation suitability and current document revision before purchasing.

Five-Step Selection Workflow

  1. Define the coating: architectural, industrial, powder, automotive, coil, marine, protective, can, or another system.
  2. Define the formulation: binder, solvent or water phase, pigment volume concentration, dispersion equipment, and curing conditions.
  3. Build the shortlist: use TDS-listed applications and process or treatment data without inferring missing facts.
  4. Compare current TDS values: review the properties stated for each grade instead of applying one universal threshold.
  5. Test and document: compare opacity, color, gloss, dispersion, rheology, and durability against the buyer’s benchmark.

Process Is Not the Final Decision

Chloride-process options in the current coatings shortlist include M-350, M-510, M-895, and M-896. Sulfate-process options include M-996, M-2196, and M-52. The current M-2377 TDS does not state a production process. Each grade has a different application range and treatment profile, so the process label must be evaluated together with grade-specific data.

How to choose titanium dioxide grades

Start with the coating end use and resin system, then compare the current TDS application, surface treatment, dispersion behavior, opacity, gloss and weatherability against the incumbent grade.

Production process alone is not the final decision. Chloride- and sulfate-process grades can both be valid candidates when their documented properties and surface treatment match the formulation.

Complete the selection with formulation testing at the actual pigment loading, binder, dispersion energy, film build and durability requirement. Use the coatings application page to shortlist grades before requesting TDS or samples.

Buyer FAQ

Should I choose a coatings grade by process first?

Use process as one filter, not the final decision. End use, surface treatment, binder compatibility, technical properties, and trial performance all affect grade fit.

Which data should I compare first?

Start with the TDS-listed application, then compare TiO2 content, surface treatment, oil absorption, moisture, tint strength, and other properties actually stated for the shortlisted grades.

Why is M-2377 listed without a process?

The current M-2377 TDS lists applications and technical properties but does not state the production process, so this guide does not infer one.

Request a coatings grade review

Send the formulation type, benchmark, required properties, quantity, and destination. Request Quote View Coatings Grades