What is one of the most versatile metal alloys you can think of? One that can be found in items ranging from something as delicate as jewelry to surgical instruments up to items as durable as jets, golf clubs and cars… it’s titanium . The metal alloy is stronger than steel and is close to 50% lighter; it is also 40% lighter than aluminum and twice as strong. These properties make it a more than viable option for the construction of the items mentioned but it does have to be mixed with other chemicals to make it strong and durable. Since its discovery it has seen use in myriad applications.
Dental and orthopedic implants can be made from pure titanium. For other items though, titanium is added to aluminum, iron and steel to make the completed product lighter and stronger. Titanium, even when mixed with other elements is resistant to corrosion and is almost immune to high temperatures. Titanium is used in automobile and bicycle frames and in airplane parts. The reason titanium is use in medical procedures is because it isn’t prone to rejection because of its non-reactive nature to human bone and flesh. Body piercing tools and jewelry are made of titanium for this very reason.
The metal is impervious to the effects of sea water and is used in producing ship propellers and rigging and it is the reason cars such as Ferraris and Porsches zip along so quickly. Many ship hulls and other ship components are also constructed from titanium. Titanium alloys are used in many engine components.
Titanium dioxide is used in the production of white paint and has been used to take the place of lead in paint bases. Paper and plastic products also incorporate the use of titanium in its manufacture because it gives paper the ability to be opaque. The reason titanium is used in the making of jewelry is because it easily picks up color and most people don’t have allergic reactions to jewelry infused with this alloy.
Aircraft and spacecraft see the greatest use of titanium and it accounts for more than 50% of all the titanium sales in the marketplace. The military is one of the biggest purchasers of titanium because it uses it to build missiles, airplanes, helicopters and submarines. The metal has been an important alloy in the production of so many items since it was discovered in 1791.
