Titanium

We have a fresh shipment of Titanium on order for May 1, 2004
Titanium was first discovered by William Gregor in 1791, an amateur scientist who discovered a reddish brown calx he could not identify. In 1795, Martin Heinrich Klaproth, an Austrian chemist, identified titanium as a new element, number 22 on the periodic chart and named it Titanium after the Greek Gods known as Titans. The Titans were strong and giant deities in Greek mythology and is the root of many words, such as titanic, words associated with great size and strength. Titanium is a naturally occuring element found in the minerals rutile, sphene, ilmenite, and in titanates and many iron ores; titanium is the ninth most abundant element found in the crust of the earth. Titanium is also found in meteorites, in the sun, and in rocks obtained from the moon. Titanium, when pure, is a bright, lustrous white metal. The extraction of titanium from the ores in which it is found is a slow and very costly process, making titanium quite expensive. 

Wilhelm Kroll is widely recognized as the father of the modern titanium industry. In the 1930s and 40s, he developed the method of manufacturing titanium metal still used today and known as the ‘Kroll Method’. The Kroll method involves creating a titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) via a process of fractional distillation: the action of chlorine and carbon upon the rutile or ilmenite in which it is found. This titanium tetrachloride is then ultimately reduced to the metallic titanium using magnesium. Excess magnesium is removed from this product with water and hydrochloric acid, leaving a ’titanium sponge’. This ‘titanium sponge’ can then be melted into titanium castings, titanium bars, and other forms using helium or argon. Air is excluded from this process to prevent contamination. The metal burns in air and is the only element that burns in nitrogen.

Titanium is 30% stronger than steel, but is nearly 50% lighter. Titanium is 60% heavier than aluminum, but twice as strong. Titanium has excellent strength retention to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Titanium is alloyed with aluminum, manganese, iron, molybdenum and other metals to increase strength, to withstand high temperatures, and to lighten the resultant alloy. Titanium’s high corrosion resistance is also a valuable characteristic, as when exposed to the atmosphere, titanium forms a tight, tenacious oxide film that resists many corrosive materials, particularly salt water. In the 1950s, the titanium metal industry was established primarily in response to the emerging aerospace industry which used it in the manufacture of airframe structural components and skin, aircraft hydraulic systems, air engine components, rockets, missiles, and space craft, where these properties are invaluable. The military also uses titanium in its guided missiles and in artillery. As the 1970s approached, the cost of titanium products dropped, making it more available for other practical applications such as shipbuilding: primarily in submarines, in ship’s propellers, shafts, rigging, and other highly corrosive parts. Titanium is being increasingly utilized for medical applications due to its light weight, its strength, and its hypoallergenic properties as titanium is also nickel free. Titanium products are becoming increasingly utilized in other industries as well, from petrochemical applications to sporting goods

History

(Latin. titans, the first sons of the Earth, mythology)

Discovered by Gregor in 1791; named by Klaproth in 1795. Impure titanium was prepared by Nilson and Pettersson in 1887; however, the pure metal (99.9%) was not made until 1910 when Hunter heated TiCl4 with sodium in a steel bomb.

Sources

Titanium is present in meteorites and the sun. Rocks obtained during the Apollo 17 lunar mission showed presence of 12.1% TiO₂;  rocks obtained during earlier Apollo missions show lower percentages.

Titanium oxide bands are prominent in the spectra of M-type stars. The element is the ninth most abundant in the crust of the earth. Titanium is almost always present in igneous rocks and in the sediments derived from them.

It occurs in the minerals rutile, ilmenite, and sphene, and is present in titanates and in many iron ores. Titanium is present in ash of coal, in plants, and in human body.

The metal was a laboratory curiosity until Kroll, in 1946, showed that titanium could be produced commercially by reducing titanium tetrachloride with magnesium. This method is still largely used for producing the metal. The metal can be purified by decomposing the iodide.

Properties

Titanium, when pure, is a lustrous, white metal. It has a low density, good strength, is easily fabricated, and has excellent corrosion resistance. It is ductile only when it is free of oxygen. The metal, which burns in air, is the only element that burns in nitrogen.

Titanium is resistant to dilute sulfuric and hydrochloric acid, most organic acids, most chlorine gas, and chloride solutions.

Natural titanium is reported to become very radioactive after bombardment with deuterons. The emitted radiations are mostly positrons and hard gamma rays. The metal is dimorphic. The hexagonal alpha form changes to the cubic beta form very slowly at about 880oC. The metal combines with oxygen at red heat, and with chlorine at 550oC.

Titanium metal is considered to be physiologically inert. When pure, titanium dioxide is relatively clear and has an extremely high index of refraction with an optical dispersion higher than diamond.

Isotopes

Natural titanium consists of five isotopes with atomic masses from 46 to 50. All are stable. Eight other unstable isotopes are known.

Uses

Titanium is important as an alloying agent with aluminum, molybdenum, manganese, iron, and other metals. Alloys of titanium are principally used for aircraft and missiles where lightweight strength and ability to withstand extremes of temperature are important.

Titanium is as strong as steel, but 45% lighter. It is 60% heavier than aluminum, but twice as strong.

Titanium has potential use in desalination plants for converting sea water into fresh water. The metal has excellent resistance to sea water and is used for propeller shafts, rigging, and other parts of ships exposed to salt water. A titanium anode coated with platinum has been used to provide cathodic protection from corrosion by salt water.

It is produced artificially for use as a gemstone, but it is relatively soft. Star sapphires and rubies exhibit their asterism as a result of the presence of TiO₂.

Titanium dioxide is extensively used for both house paint and artist's paint, because it is permanent and has good covering power. Titanium oxide pigment accounts for the largest use of the element. Titanium paint is an excellent reflector of infrared, and is extensively used in solar observatories where heat causes poor viewing conditions.

Titanium tetrachloride is used to iridize glass. This compound fumes strongly in air and has been used to produce smoke screens.

Links:

University of California Department of Energy at http://pearl1.lanl.gov/periodic/elements/22.html

We can make highest quality grade Titanium electrodes with the following analysis:

Each component by Wt. % 

Carbon Max 0.1 
Fe Max 0.2 
H Max 0.015 
N Max 0.03 
O Max 0.18 
Ti 99.5

Links:

http://www.fourwinds10.com/news/05-government/E-new-world-order/2004/05E-03-04-04-star-wars-weather-control-shielding-and-coverup.html

We have a fresh shipment of Titanium already arrived.

Site Map for colloidal water science

Disclaimer: The information conveyed here is based on records and research for your information which is for horticultural, educational, sacramental and research purposes only.  No statement should be taken as medical advice.  It is not claimed or implied here that Mono-atomic SILVER-MAX or Colloidal mineral waters will cure any disease.

Contact:   Biophysica Inc., Toronto, Ont, Canada  Phone: (905) 827-9448 (10am to 10pm EST)

e-mail: info@biophysica.com

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This page last updated on May 26, 2004

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