itanium is a chemical element denoted by the symbol Ti and has the Atomic Number 22. It is transition metal with a low density but high strength and is resistant to corrosion making it suitable for use in several applications such as titanium tube and titanium sheet.
Titanium was first discovered by the English Chemist Rev William Gregor in 1791 who named the metal Gregorite. The metal was also discovered separately and at a later date by the German Scientist in M.H. Klaproth in 1793 who named the metal Titanium after the Greek God Titan with the name Titanium remaining to this day. Isolating the metal wasnt achieved until over a century later in 1910. Titanium is found in raw form in the minerals Rutile and Ilmenite which themselves make up more than 24% of the Earths crust, therefore making titanium a highly abundant material. Titanium is not however found in isolation in nature, instead it is found in combinations of Fe and Oxygen with the process to isolate requiring significant effort and as such affects the availability and cost of the metal.
The key properties of titanium which make the metal an optimal material for several applications are:
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Atomic weight of 47.867amu
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Density of 4510 kg/³ making it more than 50% lighter than Steel
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Non-magnetic
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A high melting point (m.p.) of 1650 °C
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High Passivity and so is able to withstand high levels of chlorides and acids without corrosion.
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Bio-compatible and non-toxic
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Titanium Applications
Titanium can be found in applications in all industries from small titanium fasteners used in iPhone casings through to tubes in the worlds largest deep sea Heat Exchangers. Its history of usage can be dated back to military usage in aircraft and demand for the metal is still greatly influenced from the Military sector. In recent decades its usage has become more diversified as use of the material increasingly becomes used as an improved alternative for Steel applications.
Mill Form
Titanium is produced and supplied in an intermediary Mill form which are then used for further downstream stream processing. Furthermore the intermetiary mill forms are split into two categories which differ in the finished state of the material. Titanium Ingot, Billets and Slabs are the first category which are the form produced and stocked by Titanium Mills with the more refined state category beingTitanium Tube, Titanium Bar & Rod, Titanium Wire, Titanium Forgings and Titanium Sheet, Coil & Platewhich are commonly used by end application manufacturers.
