Titanium is a chemical element which was first discovered in 1791. In 1795 it was named by a German chemist after the 'Titans' from Greek mythology to represent its natural strength. The Titans were gigantic, powerful and primeval beings that loomed in the background of many Greek myths and tales. They ruled the world before they were overthrown by the God Zeus.
Known as the 'space age metal', it has a low density and is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant (including sea water and chlorine) transition metal with a silver colour. It is present in both meteorites and the sun.
Titanium is the ninth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and it's almost always present in igneous rocks and in the sediments which are derived from them.
It is important as an alloying agent with aluminum, manganese, iron and other metals. Alloys of titanium are predominantly used for aircraft and missiles where lightweight strength and ability to withstand extremes of temperature are important. It's as strong as steel but 45% lighter, 60% heavier than Aluminum but twice as strong.
| ← Timur Ruby | Titanium Dioxide → |
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