Magical Chemistry: Uses of Titanium | Detailed Explanation

Do you know what “titanium alloy” is? Do you know what titanium’s properties are? Do you know human bones? Do you want to know what material human bones are made of? What other sectors may this material be used in? Let’s unveil the veil of titanium together today.

What is titanium?

Titanium is a silver-gray metal with lightweight and strong resistance to seawater corrosion. Besides, its strength is high. It is considered a rare metal, accounting for 0.44% of the Earth’s crust. It is relatively abundant in nature, and almost all rocks, sand, and soil contain this metal. It is quite common in nature and is found in practically all rocks, sand, and soil. However, it is hard to remove because of its distributed dispersion. The ores that can extract titanium mainly include ilmenite and rutile, and titanium dioxide is the most prevalent compound of titanium. When titanium metal burns, extinguishing it with water may cause an explosion. American chemist Hunter first made metallic titanium with a purity of 99.9% in 1910. Pure titanium has ductility and very low conductivity and thermal conductivity. Because it is non-magnetic, non-toxic, and highly compatible with human tissues and blood, the medical industry utilizes it.

Although titanium is non-toxic, it is a heavy metal that can have negative effects on human health. Titanium can cause lung diseases such as chest tightness, difficulty breathing and coughing.

Titanium started to be produced commercially in 1948. Submarines may be built out of titanium since it is strong and resistant to high pressure. It is capable of diving in 4,500-meter-deep water. Titanium is referred to be a cosmic metal because its powder makes an excellent rocket fuel.

The new titanium alloy is heat resistant and can withstand temperatures of 600 °C or greater for an extended period. Its low density and maximum specific strength among metals are its primary qualities. It has superconductivity and is simple to process. In titanium, the presence of impurities increases its strength.

Uses of titanium

Titanium was first widely used in military aviation around the 1990s. Due to its aforementioned advantages, it is widely used in multiple fields. Today we will mainly talk about the topic - “uses of titanium”.

1. Titanium in the aviation industry

With the increasing interest of humanity in space exploration and the increasing investment of countries in the aerospace industry, titanium plays a crucial role in the global aviation industry.

According to data, newer aircraft have a larger demand for titanium than older ones. It is estimated that the global commercial aviation industry will have a demand for approximately 1.2 million tons of titanium in the next 20 years. Given the current international situation, the demand for titanium in various countries will only increase without decreasing.

2. Titanium in the automotive industry

At present, the automotive industry has sparked a frenzy of car manufacturing. At present, the research focus of car upgrades is on reducing car energy consumption and harmful gas emissions.

The use of lighter materials can relatively reduce car inertia and have a good effect in reducing accidents. In addition, it can also reduce noise during driving and improve the travel experience.

3. Titanium in the medical field

As mentioned above, Titanium is non-toxic and works well with human tissues and organs, so currently, it is mainly used as a material for human bones in the medical field.

4. Titanium in the manufacturing industry

Due to its corrosion resistance, titanium is highly valued in the marine engineering industry, such as the production of submarines and hovercraft. In addition, titanium materials often appear in daily life due to their lighter weight and better overall performance, such as bicycles, rackets, and eyeglass frames made mainly of titanium.

Conclusion

In summary, we dig into the topic-” uses of titanium” in this issue. Due to its small weight, great corrosion resistance, and high strength, titanium is a fantastic material for making vehicles or submarines. Besides, being non-toxic and having good compatibility with human tissues, it also plays an important role in the medical field. I hope that the continuous development of the materials industry can bring more convenience to our lives, such as safer and more comfortable cars.