What is Titanium?

Titanium is element number 22 on the periodic table. It is a metal that’s silver in color, found naturally on earth. In fact, Titanium is the 9th most abundant element on earth. It is typically mined from various minerals in the earth’s crust such as ilmenite, sphene, and rutile. However, it was not discovered by the scientific community until the late 18th century. Furthermore, it was not until the 20th century that it began being used for industrial purposes.

What are the properties of Titanium?

Titanium is known primarily for two properties:

·Corrosion resistance

·Strength to density ratio

Titanium is superb at resisting corrosion because oxygen molecules combine with Titanium to form Titanium oxides. This Titanium oxide layer is passive and quite tenacious, which means it will not flake off like rust on steel and can resist chemical attacks from substances such as chlorine compounds.

Titanium also has a high strength-to-weight and strength-to-density ratio, meaning that it is quite strong for how light it is. Some grades of Titanium, such as Grade 5, have substantially higher tensile strengths than mild steel with just over half of the density.

Grades Of Titanium Alloys With Properties And Applications

Titanium alloys are available in a wide range of grades, each with its specific properties. The following are some of the most common titanium alloy grades.

Grade 5 Titanium Alloy

Grade 5 is the most common titanium alloy due to its high strength. It is a commonly welding alloy that can function in structural and pressure-containing components. It has high corrosion resistance in both oxidizing and reducing environments.

In addition, it also finds use in the chemical and petroleum industries and the fabrication of offshore drilling platforms. The alloy functions in constructing water treatment facilities, nuclear reactors, and other critical environments requiring a high-strength, low-cost material.

Grade 6 Titanium Alloy

Grade 6 is a commonly welded titanium alloy containing aluminum and tin often used for components exposed to elevated temperatures. In addition to its high-strength properties, the alloy has excellent stability, making it a good choice for airframes and jet engines.

Grade 7 Titanium Alloy

Grade 7 titanium alloy is especially useful for low temperatures and pH applications. This is a result of its extreme corrosion resistance.

Grade 11 Titanium Alloy

Grade 11 is a titanium alloy with good high-temperature strength and high corrosion resistance. The alloy is a raw material for components operating in high temperatures, such as chemical and petroleum processing equipment and manufacturing aircraft engines and airframes. Grade 11 is also used to manufacture turbines, liquid hydrogen storage tanks, and other critical equipment. The alloy is easily fabricated by machining, forging, rolling, and extruding.

Grade 12 Titanium Alloy

It applies to manufacturing aircraft components, such as engine parts, airframes, landing gear, fuel systems, and other critical equipment. The alloy is also used to manufacture cryogenic vessels, heat exchangers, distillation columns, and other equipment operating at high temperatures.

Chemical Composition & Mechanical Properties

Comparison of Titanium vs. Aluminum