lithopone for paint

The titanium dioxide market fluctuated in the first two quarters of 2023. These pricing patterns resulted from poor demand and reduced intakes from the downstream industries. Amid the slow demand, the manufacturers were forced to reduce their outputs. With rising inflation rates, production cuts gradually increased. Given the economic downturn, the labor strikes further affected the market dynamics, thereby exerting pressure on the pricing fundamentals.

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The refractive index, represented by the letter n, of a material describes how light propagates through and is bent by, that material. The magnitude of the refractive index, depending upon the electronic structure of the molecules, governs to what extent the path of light changes, when entering or leaving a material.

Particles in a matrix, like pigment particles surrounded by the binder system in a coating, ink or plastic, can change the propagation direction of light when the particles and the matrix have a different refractive index. This phenomenon, called scattering, results in both white color (provided that the particles do not absorb visible light) and the hiding power of the coating.

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One of the main applications of titanium dioxide in paper is in the production of high-quality coated papers. Titanium dioxide is often added to the coating formulations to enhance the whiteness and brightness of the paper surface. This helps to improve the print quality of the paper, as it provides a smooth and even surface for ink to adhere to. The high opacity of titanium dioxide also helps to prevent show-through, making the printed text or images more vibrant and legible.

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