An extremely versatile material, titanium metal – both commercially pure titanium grades and titanium alloys – is popular in numerous industries thanks to its advantageous qualities and physical properties.
Qualities of titanium include:
- Outstanding corrosion resistance
- Superior strength-to-weight ratios
- Low density
- High heat-resistance
- High heat transfer capability
- Good oxidation capabilities
- High melting point
- Low elasticity module
- Excellent erosion resistance
- Low thermal expansion coefficient
- Can be mixed with other metals to make a titanium alloy
Titanium properties that are beneficial to you and your business
High corrosion resistance
Titanium is a fantastic option if you need a corrosion-resistant material.
This resistance occurs because a layer of titanium dioxide forms on the surface of pure titanium metal, making it almost impossible for materials to cause cracking, pitting and other unwanted changes.
Corrosion resistance prolongs titanium’s lifespan, making it last for years to come whether you use it outside or indoors.
Impressive low density
Around 60% lighter than iron and 40% lighter than copper, titanium is an impressively lightweight material.
Because it’s not very heavy, it’s easy to use and works great in places where lightweight materials are preferred, like in planes or building structures.
Superior strength-to-weight ratio
When it comes to manufacturing, the weight of your materials needs to be carefully considered. Although heavy materials don’t necessarily always cause issues, a lighter material is often preferred.
Titanium’s strength-to-weight ratio and robust tensile strength make it an impressive material. Although it weighs around 40% less than steel, it is just as strong. It is also almost double as strong as aluminium, another popular material thanks to its strength. In fact, titanium and titanium alloys are amongst the strongest materials around. This makes it an unquestionably ideal material for many manufacturing applications.
High heat resistance and melting point
With a melting point of around 1668°C, much higher than both steel and aluminium, titanium retains its fantastic qualities in even the most trying environments.
Thanks to its high levels of heat resistance, titanium remains strong even in extreme heat. So, it’s no wonder titanium is the material of choice when it comes to aircraft and high-performance sports car engines.
Low thermal expansion coefficient
The coefficient of thermal expansion is the rate at which a material expands as the temperature increases.
The lower this rate, the less a material changes when exposed to heat.
Titanium’s thermal expansion measurement is low, especially when compared to other metals such as aluminium and steel. This means any products manufactured from titanium are unlikely to distort due to temperature changes, making it a great, rigid material choice.
| CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES | ||||||
| CHEMICAL COMPOSITION | ||||||
| ASTM grade | ||||||
| (Max. Values) | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 |
| N, Nitrogen | 0,03 | 0,03 | 0,05 | 0,03 | 0,02 | 0,03 |
| C, Carbon | 0,1 | 0,1 | 0,1 | 0,1 | 0,05 | 0,08 |
| H, Hydrogen | 0,015 | 0,015 | 0,0125 | 0,015 | 0,013 | 0,015 |
| Fe, Iron | 0,2 | 0,3 | 0,4 | 0,3 | 0,25 | 0,3 |
| O, Oxygen | 0,18 | 0,25 | 0,20 | 0,25 | 0,12 | 0,25 |
| Pd, Palladium | 0,12-0,25 | |||||
| Al, Aliminium | 5,5-6,75 | 2,5-3,5 | ||||
| Mo, Molybdenum | 0,2-0,4 | |||||
| V, Vanadium | 3,5-4,5 | 2,0-3,0 | ||||
| Ni, Nickel | 0,6-0,9 | |||||
| Ti, Titanium | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. |
| PHYSICAL PROPERTIES | ||||||
| Density (g/cm3) | 4,51 | 4,51 | 4,43 | 4,51 | 4,48 | 4,51 |
| Coeff. of thermal expansion | ||||||
| 20-200 0C (10 -6/C) | 9,1 | 9,1 | 9,9 | 9,1 | 9,8 | 9,9 |
| Melting point (0C) | 1671 | 1660 | 1760 | 1660 | 1704 | 1660 |
| Modulus of Elasticity | ||||||
| (Gpa=10 9 N/mm2) | 102,7 | 102,7 | 113,7 | 102,7 | 103,4 | 103,40 |
| Thermal Conductivity, | ||||||
| at room temp. (W/m0C) | 17,11 | 18,06 | 7,41 | 18,06 | 8,35 | 20,91 |
| Specific heat (J/kg 0C) | 5,9 | 5,9 | 5,65 | 5,9 | 5,44 | 5,44 |
| Electrical resistivity | ||||||
| ( omegamm2/m) at 20 0C | 0,47 | 0,48 | 1,71 | 0,48 | 1,25 | 0,45 |
| MECHANICAL PROPERTIES | ||||||
| Tensile strength, min (Mpa) | 240,00 | 345,00 | 895,00 | 345,00 | 620,00 | 483,00 |
| Yield strength, 0,2% | ||||||
| Offset, min (Mpa) | 170,00 | 275,00 | 825,00 | 275,00 | 483,00 | 345,00 |
| Elongation (in 4D, min, %) | 24,00 | 20,00 | 10,00 | 20,00 | 15,00 | 18,00 |
| Reduction of Area, min, % | 30,00 | 30,00 | 25,00 | 30,00 | 25,00 | 25,00 |
| Hardness | Rb70 | Rb80 | Rc36 | Rb80 | Rc28 | Rc17* |
| * Interpolated | ||||||
Titanium Qualities FAQs
Pure titanium can rust, but it’s far more resistant to rust than other metals. Oxidation occurs when titanium comes into contact with air, heat or water – but this does not result in rust. Instead, the reaction produces titanium oxide, which layers itself on top of the titanium, creating an invisible protective sheet.
However, if titanium is placed in a vacuum with no oxygen at all, it would begin to rust similarly to other metals.
Titanium is considered the most biocompatible metal, which means it’s not harmful to living tissue. For this reason, it is widely used in the medical industry for surgeries. Titanium can bind to living tissue and bone without causing medical problems, making it the ideal choice for knee replacements, hip replacements and more. Titanium is also widely used for dental implants.
Yes, titanium is recyclable. Thanks to its resistance to corrosion and rust, titanium stays in excellent condition, making the recycling process much simpler. Titanium is also much lighter than other metals, so transporting old titanium to recycling centres can be relatively easy. This also reduces the carbon emissions produced by vehicles transporting titanium, making it even more environmentally friendly.
Titanium is known as a ‘strategic metal’ because of its multiple uses in industries deemed critical to the world economy. These include aerospace, aviation, marine equipment and war equipment manufacture. It is also used in the chemical industry within chemical reactors.
No, it’s not an actual sponge. Titanium sponge refers to a specific stage of the process to produce pure titanium. Reducing titanium tetrachloride with magnesium chloride through something called the Kroll process is how the titanium sponge is made. It is a substance which is chemically stable enough to be transported, making it an ideal choice for many involved in titanium production.
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