Rutile Crystals
Rutile is a tetragonal crystal having a high index of refraction and dispersion. The material is clear to slightly yellow and is an intrinsic semiconductor. Rutile is birefringent.
Physical Properties
Chemical Formula....................TiO2
Molecular Weight.....................79.9
Density....................................4.25 g/cm3
Crystal Class............................Tetragonal Uniaxial Positive
Specific Gravity........................4.26
Solubility..................................Insoluble in acids, soluble in fused alkali
Hardness.................................6-6.5 Mohs, 910 Knoop
Thermal Properties
Melting Temperature............18200C
Thermal Expansion...............9.19´ 10-6/0C Parallel to C-axis
...................7.14´ 10-6/0C Perpendicular to C-axis
Thermal conductivity............0.0136 Cal/Sec0C @ 430C
Heat Capacity.................... 0.168 Cal/Gm
Optical Properties
Refractive index
The optical properties of rutile are dependent on the Ti:O ratio in the crystal. Fully oxidised (near stoichiometric) rutile is nearly colourless with a faint yellow tint. Partially reduced rutile is blue, and fully reduced rutile is nearly black and quite opaque. This colour change is due to the increased optical absorption at longer wavelengths as shown by the data below. All data refer to fully oxidised rutile unless otherwise noted.
Refractive Index
Wavelength, Å |
(No) Perpendicular to C- axis |
(Ne) Parallel to C-axis |
4358 |
2.853 |
3.216 |
4916 |
2.723 |
3.047 |
4960 |
2.715 |
3.040 |
5461 |
2.652 |
2.958 |
5770 |
2.623 |
2.922 |
5791 |
2.621 |
2.919 |
6907 |
2.555 |
2.836 |
7082 |
2.548 |
2.827 |
10140 |
2.483 |
2.746 |
15296 |
2.451 |
2.709 |
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