Titanium Knowledge Sharing

I. Basic Identity of Titanium:

Element Symbol: Ti

Atomic Number: 22

Position in the Periodic Table: Period 4, Group 4 (Titanium Group)

II. Core Physical Properties:

① High strength and low density
② High melting point
③ Good ductility

III. Core Chemical Properties:

① Excellent corrosion resistance

② Excellent biocompatibility

IV. Main Applications:

① Aerospace

② Chemical and marine engineering

③ Medical

IV. Titanium and Titanium Alloys:

① Pure Titanium (Gr1-Gr4)

Titanium content ≥99%

Extreme corrosion resistance and formability

Applications in chemical pipelines and biological substrates

② Titanium Alloys (TC4/TA15, etc.)

Additions of Al, V, Mo, etc. (4%-15%)

High strength, heat resistance, and heat-treatable properties

Applications in aviation structural components and orthopedic implants

V. Universal Advantages of Titanium

Advantages That Overturn Traditional Metals

King of Specific Strength

TC4 has a strength of approximately 900 MPa and a density of only 4.43 g/cm³ → 40% lighter than steel for equivalent load-bearing structures

Corrosion Immunity

Seawater Corrosion Rate <0.001 mm/year (Stainless Steel >0.1 mm/year) → Deep-sea Equipment Lifespan >30 Years

Biocompatibility

Osseointegration Rate >95% → 20-Year Survival Rate for Artificial Joints 99%

Adaptability to Extreme Environments

Low-Temperature Resistance: Maintains Toughness at -196°C (Liquid Nitrogen Environment)

High-Temperature Resistance: TA15 Alloy Remains Strong at 400 MPa at 600°C

VI. Refining and Processing:

Titanium Refining: The process from ore to titanium sponge is complex and energy-intensive, primarily using the Klauer process or the modified Hunter process. This results in a relatively high cost for titanium and its alloys, a major limitation to their wider application.

Titanium processing: Melting titanium sponge into ingots and then processing it into materials is also challenging due to factors such as titanium's high activity (it easily reacts with oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, etc. at high temperatures) and poor thermal conductivity, further pushing up costs.