Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4)

What is titanium tetrachloride?

Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) is a dense, colourless liquid that is highly reactive with water. It is formed in the chloride process used to produce titanium dioxide (TiO2).

Using the correct procedures, TiCl4 can be safely handled in the production process and it is not used in consumer applications.[1]

TiCl4 is an important part of the production of TiO2 and it is used to produce metal titanium. It is also used to manufacture artificial pearls and iridescent glass (a type of coloured glass), and in Ziegler-Natta catalysts it is used to produce types of plastic.[2]

Guidance on the safe handling of TiCl4

TDMA have a dedicated group that has produced and regularly update, a guidance on the storage and handling of TiCl4 and covers four main areas:

  • Storage installations
  • Loading and unloading transport containers
  • Transport containers
  • Basic health and safety measures, emergency procedures and chemical and physical properties

You can read the full guidance here.

Sources