Titanium is an enormously useful metal. Its unique properties mean it sees widespread usage in an array of critical applications.
It is not without fault however and does suffer some disadvantages. It is enormously energy intensive to produce; titanium used for high-performance applications contributes to its high expense considering its relative abundance in the earth’s crust.
Titanium is highly resistant to chemical attack and has the highest strength to weight ratio of any metal. These unique properties make Titanium suitable for a wide range of applications. It’s stiffness to weight ratio as steel is similar to steel meaning it can be used as a substitute where weight is an important consideration.
This is well highlighted in aviation where its use in landing gear and compressor fans has drastically improved thrust to weight ratios. Titanium is highly recyclable which reduces costs involved in its production. Its inertness means that it can survive weathering and consequentially has a lower lifetime cost that other metals used in architecture and construction.
It is also biocompatible making it well suited to medical usage where it is nontoxic and able to osseointegrate.
The primary disadvantage of Titanium from a manufacturing and engineering perspective is its high reactivity, which means it has to be managed differently during all stages of its production. Impurities introduced during the Kroll process, VAR or machining were once near impossible to remove. The EBCHR process has reduced this risk, but it doesn’t come cheap.
It is not suited in high-temperature ranges, above 400 degrees Celsius, where it begins to lose its strength and nickel-based superalloys, are better equipped to handle the conditions.
It is incredibly important to use the right cutting tools and speeds and feeds during machining. Other metals can be relatively forgiving but titanium isn’t. If you get it right, you will have nothing to worry about.
Titanium does have negative externalities which require mitigation. The issues regarding the extraction processes of titanium ores are well publicised. Depending on location trees are often clear cut to access bedrock. This can contribute to soil degradation and cause the escape of heavy metals into the soil. Which can, if not adequately addressed pose a significant risk of drinking water contamination.
Whilst we are in no danger of running out of titanium, the expense and negative externalities of its extraction and manufacture means efficiency is an important consideration for the industry. At SGS our cutting tools are part of the solution. Designed to reduce waste and improve the efficiency of the Titanium machining process.
Featuring the atomic number 22, titanium is a refractory metal that’s used extensively in the aerospace and manufacturing industries. Its strong and lightweight properties make it ideal for aerospace and manufacturing applications. Even if you’ve heard of titanium, though, there are probably some things about this metal that you don’t know.
When compared to aluminum, titanium is roughly twice as strong. For high-stress applications requiring a strong metal, there’s no substitution to titanium. While the strength of steel is on par with that of titanium, steel weighs about 45% more than its titanium counterpart.
Not only is titanium strong and lightweight; it’s also naturally resistant to corrosion. When titanium is initially exposed to oxygen, it develops a thin layer of oxide, which acts to protect the rest of the metal from further corrosion. Some metalworking companies also add other metals to create titanium alloys with a superior level of protection against corrosion.
Contrary to popular belief, titanium doesn’t occur naturally. Rather, it’s found in minerals ructile, ilmenite and sphene. These minerals are harvested, after which the titanium is extracted.
Titanium is often used for medical implants because it’s rarely rejected by the human body. As explained in this Wikipedia article, it’s considered the most biocompatible metal in the world. Titanium is able to withstand the unique environments inside the human body. At the same time, it carries a lower risk of rejection than other metals used for medical implants.
As the ninth-most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, titanium is relatively rare. Research shows the strong and lightweight metal only accounts for roughly 0.63% of the Earth’s crust. With such little titanium available, it costs more to harvest and produce than other metals. Of course, its unique properties — it’s strong, lightweight and naturally resistant to corrosion — make titanium well worth the investment for certain applications.
Titanium also have a high melting point. When heated, titanium won’t liquefy until it reaches 3,034 degrees Fahrenheit. To put that number into perspective, the melting point of aluminum is just 1,221 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the melting point of iron is 2,750 degrees Fahrenheit. With that said, titanium still has a lower melting point of tungsten. In its natural form, the melting point of tungsten is a stunning 6,192 degrees Fahrenheit.
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