Rutile: The Most Common Naturally Occurring Form of Titanium Dioxide
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the most abundantly used minerals on Earth. It has a wide range of applications across several industries ranging from paints and coatings to sunscreen products. Rutile is the most common and stable naturally occurring physical form of titanium dioxide.
Rutile crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system and typically forms euhedral to subhedral prismatic crystals. It has a crisp color that ranges from gray to reddish-brown to black. Rutile is solid and hard with a specific gravity of 4.1–4.3 and a Mohs hardness of 6–6.5.
Chemically, rutile is titanium dioxide (TiO2) which means it contains titanium and oxygen in a 2:1 ratio. Titanium atoms occupy the center of octahedra formed by oxygen atoms. This octahedral crystal structure provides rutile with its durability and stability. Rutile is highly resistant to weathering and corrosion which has made it a widely used mineral.
Rutile commonly occurs as an accessory mineral in metamorphic and igneous rocks such as granite, gneiss, and pegmatites. Major deposits are found in Australia, South Africa, Norway, India, Canada, United States, and Ukraine. The largest rutile mine in the world is located near Nar Bay, Ukraine.
Australia is currently the leading producer and exporter of natural rutile. Rutile concentrates are produced by mining ore deposits, crushing, grinding, gravity separation, electrostatic, and magnetic separation techniques. High purity rutile (above 95%) is recovered for industrial applications.
Rutile is the predominant naturally occurring crystal form of titanium dioxide with desirable physical, optical and chemical properties. It fills important roles across many consumer and industrial sectors primarily as a pigment and functional filler. While synthetic alternatives supplement natural rutile supply, mining of high-quality deposits will be necessary to meet expanding titanium needs. Sustainable practices will be important to optimize this important mineral resource for the long term.
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