Application of Magnesium Oxide in the Rubber Industry BY:Lydia

Performance comparison between rutile and anatase types

Nowadays, industries such as tires, wires and cables are closely related to people's lives, which has driven the development of the rubber industry. Magnesium oxide is needed in rubber, so let's take a look at the applications of magnesium oxide in the rubber industry.

1. Whiteness analysis

From the perspective of crystal optical properties alone, the anatase type has a slightly stronger scattering ability for short wave blue light, making its initial whiteness (indoors or in a UV free environment) appear more "bright white". However, this visual advantage is short-lived and fragile. Although the main color tone of the rutile type is slightly milky yellow, its coverage efficiency (the coverage effect that can be achieved per unit dosage) far exceeds that of the anatase type. In practical applications, using a smaller amount of rutile type products can achieve better coverage.

2. The essential difference in Weather Resistance

This is the key performance that determines the fate of their application in rubber.

Defects of anatase type: Its crystal structure catalyzes photo catalytic activity between water and oxygen on the surface of titanium dioxide when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, producing a large amount of reactive oxygen species (such as · OH). These free radicals will fiercely attack rubber polymer chains, causing chain breakage and oxidative degradation. Manifested as rapid pulverization, loss of gloss, yellowing, cracking, and a sharp decline in physical and mechanical properties of the product. Therefore, rutile titanium dioxide is regarded as a "photocatalyst" that accelerates the aging of rubber.

The advantage of rutile type is that its dense crystal structure greatly inhibits photocatalytic activity and is itself very stable. In order to further enhance weather resistance, all outdoor grade rutile titanium dioxide will undergo strict inorganic (such as Al ₂ O3, SiO ₂) and organic (such as silane, polyol) coating treatment. These coating layers can effectively isolate the contact between TiO ₂ and the rubber substrate, passivate its surface activity, and enhance its dispersibility in the rubber, thereby providing excellent UV shielding and weather protection.

The best choice in rubber applications Based on the above analysis, the conclusion is very clear:

Rutile titanium dioxide is the most suitable and mainstream choice for almost all rubber products.

Outdoor rubber products: such as white tire sidewalls, car seals, rubber tiles, outdoor cables, sports field mats, etc. These products are directly exposed to sunlight, wind, and rain, and must use high weather resistant rutile titanium dioxide coated with inorganic materials such as aluminum, silicon, and zirconium to ensure long-term color stability and physical properties. The use of anatase type can lead to catastrophic early failure.

Indoor light/white products: such as shoe soles, latex gloves, medical rubber stoppers, erasers, etc. Although indoor ultraviolet radiation is weak, there are still problems of light aging and yellowing over time. Rutile type titanium dioxide can provide more durable appearance protection and better coverage, and from the perspective of cost-effectiveness and reliability, it is also superior to anatase type.

Limited application of rutile type: It can only be used in extremely special fields that do not come into contact with light and have no requirements for weather resistance, or in low-end products that pursue extremely low cost and short-term use. In high-performance rubber formulations, it is generally not recommended to use.

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