Ilmenite-a mixture of iron and titanium oxides, is used as
a furnace lining in the steel industry and also as a blasting
medium. After eliminating the iron particles, Ilmenite can
be further processed to produce Synthetic Rutile, which can
be further developed to make Titanium Dioxide.
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a non-toxic
pigment with High Refractive Index or Opacity- the ability
to reflect and scatter all colors of light while absorbing
ultra violet light. It possesses high thermal stability and
chemical inertness.
TiO2, a premier pigment used extensively
in the paint industry has replaced old-fashioned lead carbonate
pigments. About 90% of the titanium mineral produced in the
world is used in the manufacture of white titanium dioxide
pigment. Because of its non-toxic nature, it is used in cosmetics,
pharmaceuticals and even added to foodstuffs such as flour,
icing sugar and sweets as well as toothpaste to improve their
brightness. Titanium dioxide is used in the manufacture of
many sunscreen lotions and creams because of it non-toxicity
and UV absorption properties.
Synthetic Rutile is used to make Titanium
metal, a versatile material with exceptional characteristics.
The lightness, strength and durability of the metal make it
an essential metal to the aerospace industry. It is also used
in desalination plants and corrosive chemical industries because
of its inertness and resistance to corrosion. Its non-reactive
property makes titanium metal one of the few materials that
can be used in the human body as hip replacements and pacemakers.
Titanium metal is also increasingly being used world over
in making sports equipment, jewellery and advanced engineering
applications.
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