Titanium

Titanium, pronounced ty TAY nee uhm (chemical symbol, Ti), is a lightweight, silver-gray metal. Its atomic number is 22, and its atomic weight is 47.88. The density of titanium lies between that of aluminum and stainless steel. It melts at 1667 C (10 C) and boils at 3287 C.

Titanium resists seawater and sea-air corrosion or rust as well as platinum and better than stainless steel. Many highly corrosive acids and alkalies do not affect titanium. It is a ductile metal--that is, it can be drawn into wire. It also has a higher strength-weight ratio than steel. All these qualities make it a metal of great importance.

 
Physical Characteristics

• Atomic # - 22

• Atomic Wt. - 47.88 amu

• Elemental Symbol - Ti

• Melting Point = 1667 ^oC

Chemical Properties

• Resist acid corrosion

• Ductile, easily shaped

• Stronger than steel

Uses of Titanium
   
The first commercial use of titanium was as an oxide to substitute for white lead in paint. Titanium dioxide, or titanium combined with oxygen, is produced as a white pigment that has superior power to cover surfaces in painting. Titanium dioxide is also used in the manufacture of floor coverings, paper, plastics, porcelain enamels, rubber, and welding rods. Barium titanate, a compound of barium and titanium, can be used in place of crystals in television and radar sets, microphones, and phonographs. The gem titania is made from crystals of titanium oxide. When cut and polished, titania is more brilliant than the diamond, though not quite so hard. Titanium tetrachloride, or titanium combined with chlorine, has been used for smoke screens, and is the starting point for making the metal.

Titanium metal serves as an important alloying element. The armed forces use large amounts of titanium in aircraft and jet engines, because it is strong but light. It also withstands operating temperatures up to about 427 C (800 F), which makes it useful in many types of machinery. Because of its superior qualities, titanium has a number of potential uses, such as armor plate for ships, steam-turbine blades, surgical instruments, and tools. The transportation industry would use large amounts of titanium in buses, railroad trains, trucks, and automobiles, if the price of titanium could be lowered enough to compete with the price of stainless steel.

   
Location of Deposits

Titanium ranks as the ninth most plentiful element. But the difficulty of processing the metal makes it expensive. Titanium is never found in a pure state. It usually occurs in ilmenite or rutile. But it may be found in titaniferous magnetite, titanite, and iron (see ILMENITE).

The leading titanium-producing countries include Australia, Canada, China, India, Malaysia, Norway, and South Africa. Russia and Ukraine also have significant deposits. Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia are the chief titanium-producing states. Quebec is the only Canadian province that produces the metal.

Discovery and manufacture. Titanium was discovered by William Gregor of England in 1791, and named by Martin Klaproth of Germany in 1795. It was not until the 1930's, however, that a refining method adaptable to large-scale production was worked out by William Kroll of Luxembourg. The DuPont Company first produced the metal commercially in 1948. At the present time, production remains low because of the difficulty and expense of separating titanium from the ores with which it is found. The United States manufactures most of the refined metal. Japan and the United Kingdom also manufacture titanium. Research is being conducted to increase its supply and lower its cost.