History
First discovered by William Gregor, a British clergyman and mineralogist, in 1971, titanium is a silver-colored metal known for its low density, high strength, and lightweightedness. In the periodic table of elements, it is categorized as a transition metal with a chemical symbol Ti and atomic number 22. Titanium got its name from a Greek super race, the Titans.
Properties and Attributes
Titanium has several exceptional properties and attributes that make it standout. It is one of the most commonly-used metals in various industries today because of the following:
- High melting point
- High strength-to-weight quotient
- Low density
- Good refractory metal
- Non-magnetic
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Corrosion resistant
- Hypoallergenic
- Dent resistant
Nowadays, different fields and industries utilize titanium to create various products and parts.
Because titanium is lightweight, hypoallergenic and malleable, it is used in the production of necklaces, rings, bracelets, watches, and other jewelry.
Titanium’s durability makes it a good material for manufacturing surgical implements like dental implants and joint replacement components. Aside from that, since titanium is non-magnetic, people who have titanium implants can be subjected to an MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, without encountering any sort of problem or trouble.
In the automotive industry, the durability and minimal weight of titanium is taken full advantage of. Race cars require lightweight but sturdy materials in order to be efficient and effective, and titanium has been able to meet these requirements every single time. Furthermore, in high-end cars such as some Corvette models, this metal provides the strength and rigidity necessary for the manufacture of the different parts and components.
Titanium is also used in the production of various outdoor and sporting goods like bicycle frames, cookware, utensils, tennis rackets, golf clubs, and tents.
In the chemical/industrial fields, it is important to create components that are highly corrosive resistant so as to endure rust and other impurities. Since titanium possesses this key attribute, it is the go-to metal when it comes to making process vessels, pipes, tanks, titanium valves, and other types of materials.