Quick Facts
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Ti |
| Atomic Number | 22 |
| Atomic Mass | 47.867 u |
| Category | Transition Metal |
| Period | 4 |
| Group | 4 |
| Block | d |
| Electron Configuration | [Ar] 3d² 4s² |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| State at 20°C | Solid |
| Density | 4.506 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1668°C (1941 K) |
| Boiling Point | 3287°C (3560 K) |
| Appearance | Silver-gray metallic |
Atomic Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Electron Configuration | [Ar] 3d² 4s² |
| Electronegativity | 1.54 (Pauling scale) |
| First Ionization Energy | 658.8 kJ/mol |
| Atomic Radius | 147 pm |
| Covalent Radius | 160 pm |
| Van der Waals Radius | 187 pm |
History and Discovery
Discovered by: William Gregor Year of Discovery: 1791 Location: Cornwall, England
Etymology
Named after the Titans of Greek mythology by Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1795. The Titans were immortal giants of incredible strength.
Discovery Story
William Gregor discovered titanium in 1791 in ilmenite sand. He called it "menachanite" after the Menaccan parish where he found it. Independently, Martin Heinrich Klaproth discovered it in 1795 in rutile and named it titanium. Pure metallic titanium was not isolated until 1910 by Matthew Hunter using the sodium reduction process.
Isotopes
| Isotope | Natural Abundance | Half-life | Decay Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⁴⁶Ti | 8.25% | Stable | - |
| ⁴⁷Ti | 7.44% | Stable | - |
| ⁴⁸Ti | 73.72% | Stable | - |
| ⁴⁹Ti | 5.41% | Stable | - |
| ⁵⁰Ti | 5.18% | Stable | - |
Occurrence
Natural Abundance
Titanium is the ninth most abundant element in Earth's crust (0.63%). It is never found free in nature. Major sources are ilmenite (FeTiO₃) and rutile (TiO₂). Major producing countries include Australia, South Africa, China, and Canada.
Extraction and Production
- Kroll Process: Reduction of titanium tetrachloride with magnesium (primary method)
- Hunter Process: Reduction with sodium (historical)
- Sources: Ilmenite and rutile mining
- Global production: about 200,000 tons annually
Applications and Uses
Aerospace Industry
- Aircraft structures (fuselage, wings)
- Jet engine components
- Spacecraft structures
- Missiles and rockets
Medical Applications
- Surgical implants (hip and knee replacements)
- Dental implants
- Pacemaker cases
- Surgical instruments
Industrial Applications
- Chemical processing equipment
- Desalination plants
- Power plant condensers
- Marine applications
Consumer Products
- Eyeglass frames
- Watches
- Sports equipment (golf clubs, tennis rackets)
- Jewelry
Biological Role
Titanium has no known biological role but is highly biocompatible, making it ideal for medical implants.
In the Human Body
Titanium is not normally present in significant amounts. When used as implants, it integrates well with bone (osseointegration).
Biocompatibility
Titanium forms a stable oxide layer that prevents corrosion and rejection by the body.
Safety and Hazards
Toxicity
Titanium metal is considered non-toxic. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have raised some health concerns in recent research.
Handling Precautions
- Fine powder is flammable
- Titanium fires are difficult to extinguish (use class D extinguisher)
- Welding requires inert atmosphere
- Hot titanium reacts with nitrogen and oxygen
Environmental Impact
Titanium mining can impact local environments. Titanium dioxide is widely used in sunscreens and paints with ongoing research on nanoparticle effects.
Interesting Facts
- Titanium has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal
- It is as strong as steel but 45% lighter
- The SR-71 Blackbird spy plane was made primarily of titanium
- Titanium dioxide is what makes white paint white
- Despite being abundant, titanium is expensive to produce due to the complex extraction process