Titanium is a corrosion resistant chemical element with the atomic number 22 and the symbol Ti. It has a high melting point and has a relatively low density. In the last sixty years, with the complex and expensive process, the properties of titanium have resulted in advances in several applications including technology, medicine, marine, aviation and many other applications that today we take as granted. The production process of titanium occurs by reacting titanium chloride (TiCl4) with either magnesium or sodium not the oxide. High temperature is needed for the reaction and also need to handle with care.
This element can be alloyed with aluminum, iron, molybdenum and vanadium. It becomes highly strengthened by deformation and alloying process. Many alloys contain this element as a minor additive but not usually considered to be titanium alloy because these alloys are categorized according to which the element forms the majority of the materials. Titanium is stronger than steel and is a light metal approx 45% lighter than steels. Its resistant property to tarnish and stains makes it an appealing product for the varieties of industries.
The main properties and feature of Titanium that increase its demand for commercial and industrial purpose are:
- Strong as steel and twice as aluminum
- Low response to magnetism
- Very low thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity
- In its purest form it has silvery white metallic luster
- Very high strength with light weight ratio
- Malleable, ductile and wieldable and durable
- Available in number of formats such as sponge, rod, sheet, powder, wire, foil and granules
- Very energetic
- Non- toxic and biologically compatible
- Highly corrosion resistant
- Greats with fireworks
Titanium and its alloy are widely used in different industrial applications. Its alloy titanium dioxide is widely used in toothpaste, paint, paper, cement and plastics and many more. It is also used in some construction projects and associated applications and when it comes to its off shore activities and pipe lines, petroleum industry widely used. In addition you can found everyday consumer applications of titanium and its alloy including sweet and candy coatings, camping equipments, sky writing, computer components, watches, jewelry (highly corrosive from body exposure and oil), golf clubs, tennis rackets, safety helmets for sports, divers accessories, food processing industry, spectacle frames (for its long lasting and resistant to dings and dents with everyday wear) and many other applications.
With its exceptional properties, it is considered as a functional element of the world and is essential to several industrial purposes such as military, air space or aerospace engineering, automotive, chemical processing and racing industries. Titanium is categorized according to the grades from Grade 1 to 38 depending up on its composition.
