Titanium is a strong, lightweight metal with excellent corrosion resistance, making it a popular material for a variety of applications, including aerospace, medical implants, and consumer goods.
Sources of titanium:
Titanium is found in minerals such as ilmenite and rutile, which are found in large deposits in countries such as Australia, China, South Africa, and Canada.
Other sources of titanium include magmatic deposits, placer deposits, and heavy mineral sand deposits.
Production of titanium:
Titanium is extracted from its ores through a series of processes, including mining, crushing, and beneficaling.
The next step in the process is the reduction of titanium tetrachloride, which is obtained from the ore, to titanium sponge through a process called the Kroll process.
The titanium sponge is then melted and cast into ingots, which are then rolled or forged into the desired shape.
Properties of titanium:
Titanium has a bright, silver appearance and is a lightweight metal, with a density of 4.51 grams per cubic centimeter.
It is a strong metal, with a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for applications where weight is a concern, such as aerospace.
Titanium has excellent corrosion resistance, even in aggressive environments, such as salt water.
It has a high melting point, at 1,668°C, and a high boiling point, at 3,287°C.
Titanium is a good conductor of heat and electricity, and has a low thermal expansion coefficient.
It is biocompatible, meaning that it is non-toxic and does not react with the human body, making it a popular choice for medical implants.
Titanium is also highly reactive, and must be stored in a protective atmosphere to prevent oxidation. It is often used in alloys, as it can enhance the strength and durability of other metals.