Properties of Rutile

Rutile is a mineral composed primarily of titanium dioxide (TiO2). It is one of the three main forms of titanium dioxide found in nature, alongside anatase and brookite. Rutile is a common accessory mineral in various types of metamorphic and igneous rocks.

Image of rutile mineral
Credit: HolDu, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons

The following table provides a comprehensive list of rutile properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).

Note: click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.

Table of Rutile Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
Chemical FormulaTiO2
Molar Mass79.879 g/mol
Crystal SystemTetragonal
Mohs Hardness6 - 6.5
Density4230 - 4250 kg/m3
ColorReddish brown, yellowish brown, black or bluish violet, inclusion in quartz
DiaphaneityTransparent, translucent, opaque
LusterAdamantine
Cleavage{110} good, {100} moderate
FractureUneven
StreakGrayish black
Thermal PropertiesMetric
Melting Point1847 °C
Electrical PropertiesMetric
Electrical Resistivity29 - 910 Ω·m

Note: unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)

Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017.