*1.1.1. Pigment properties*

Scattering power, hiding power (tinting strength), brightness, mass tone (or color), gloss formation, gloss haze, dispersibility, lightfastness and weather resistance are the most important pigment properties of TiO<sup>2</sup> pigments; these properties are a function of chemical purity, lattice stabilization, primary particle size, particle size distribution and the coating.

TiO<sup>2</sup> 's theoretical optimum particle size is between 0.2 and 0.3 μm, but the pigment obtained is considerably larger mainly because of the formation of agglomerates while handling during the manufacturing process. The presence of agglomerates affects hiding power, tinting strength and other end-use properties of the coating. The graph in **Figure 1** illustrates the effect of TiO<sup>2</sup> 's dispersion states vs. particle size distribution on pigment properties. A well-dispersed system helps to develop coatings with improved optical properties, hiding power, tinting strength and gloss.
