Common Applications of Titanium

Titanium is an alloying element of steel (ferro-titanium), which reduces the grain size of the steel and acts as a deoxidizer to reduce the oxygen content of the steel; adding titanium to stainless steel reduces the carbon content. Titanium is often alloyed with other metals, including aluminum (to improve grain size), vanadium, copper (hardening), magnesium, and molybdenum. Mechanical products of titanium (sheet, plate, tube, wire, forgings, castings) are used in industry, spaceflight, leisure and emerging markets. Titanium powder is used in pyrotechnics to provide bright burning particles.

Pigments, Additives & Coatings

Titanium dioxide is the most commonly used titanium compound

Approximately 95% of the titanium ore mined from the earth's surface is sent to be refined into titanium dioxide (TiO2), commonly known as titanium dioxide (powder), an ultra-white, long-lasting pigment that is stable, non-toxic, and has excellent coverage. It is often used in the manufacture of paints, paper, toothpaste, and plastics, and is the main ingredient in Ricochet White. Titanium dioxide is also used in cement, gemstones, opacifiers for papermaking and as a reinforcing agent for graphite composite fishing rods and golf clubs.

Powdered TiO2 is chemically inert, colorfast in sunlight, and highly opaque: these are the properties that allow it to bring a brilliant pure white color to the gray or brown chemicals used to make household plastics. In nature, titanium dioxide is a compound found in the minerals anatase, plagioclases and rutile. Coatings made from titanium dioxide can withstand high temperatures, provide a mild barrier to dust buildup, and withstand the effects of the marine environment. Pure titanium dioxide has a very high refractive index and has a higher optical dispersion than diamond. In addition to being an important pigment, titanium dioxide absorbs ultraviolet light and is used in sunscreen cosmetics.

It is also used in air purifiers (filter coatings) and in films applied to building windows, when exposed to ultraviolet light (solar or artificial) or moisture in the air, produces highly reactive redox species such as hydroxyl radicals, which purify the air or keep the window surfaces clean.

Astronautics and Navigation

Because of its high tensile strength-to-density ratio, excellent resistance to corrosion, fatigue, cracking and ability to withstand moderate temperatures without creep, titanium alloys are used in aircraft, armor plates, naval vessels, spacecraft and missiles.

In these applications, titanium alloys with aluminum, vanadium and other elements are used to make a variety of components, including critical structural parts, firewalls, landing gear, exhaust pipes (helicopters) and hydraulic systems. In fact, about two-thirds of titanium production is used to make spacecraft engines and frames.

Because it is not easily corroded by seawater, titanium is used in propeller shafts, rigging, and heat exchanged for desalination plants; it is also used in hot and cold water heaters for saltwater aquariums, fishing lines, and diving knives. Titanium is used in the manufacture of housing and other components for marine surveillance deployments, and in monitoring instruments for scientific or military purposes. The former Soviet Union developed the technology to manufacture submarines primarily from titanium.

Industry

The chemical and petrochemical industries use titanium-welded piping and process equipment (heat exchangers, tanks, process vessels, valves), mainly because of the corrosion resistance of titanium. In-well and nickel hydrometallurgical applications use specific alloys, such as titanium beta C, because of the need for high strength, high corrosion resistance or both at the same time. Titanium is used in the paper industry for certain production equipment that is exposed to corrosive media, including sodium hypochlorite or wet chlorine gas (for bleaching). Other applications include ultrasonic welding, soldering and sputtering targets.

Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) is a colorless liquid and an important intermediate in the production of titanium dioxide, which is used in the production of Ziegler-Natta catalysts and iridium-plated glass, and because it produces a dense fume in humid gases, titanium tetrachloride can be used in the manufacture of smoke screens.

Consumer goods and building materials

Titanium is used in automobiles, especially racing cars (automobiles or motorcycles), where it is imperative to reduce weight without losing strength and rigidity. Generally speaking, titanium is too expensive for the mass consumer market and is difficult to sell, so its main market is for high-end products, especially for the competition/high-performance market.

Titanium is used in a variety of sporting goods: tennis racquet, golf club heads, baguette bat handles; guards on helmets for cricket, field hockey, baguette and American soccer; and skeletons and components for bicycles. Although titanium is not a mainstream material in bicycle production, it is still used by sportsmen and cycling adventure enthusiasts. Titanium is also used to make eyeglass frames, which can be a bit expensive, but are lightweight and durable, and do not cause skin irritation. Many backpackers have titanium gear, including cooking utensils, cutlery, lanterns, and tent stakes. Although slightly more expensive than their traditional steel or aluminum counterparts, these titanium products are much lighter but no less strong. Horseshoers also prefer titanium because it is lighter and more durable than steel.