Fascinating Uses of Titanium

When you are in the titanium industry you work with many engineers, designers and manufacturers who are using titanium for a wide variety of products and projects. This structural metal can easily brag about being extremely tough, but lightweight. The strength to weight ratio is a force to be reckoned with. For example, individual plates made out of copper, of the same weight as titanium, would be double the size.

The question is: what are the incredible uses of this metal that make it so special? Let’s start with:

The Aerospace Market

An astounding two thirds of all titanium produced in today’s world is used for the production of aircraft engines and frames.

The high and intense speed of the aircraft: SR-71, or better known as “Blackbird,” would cause it to simply melt out of the sky without its aerodynamic structure made from titanium. In fact, the military’s standard evasive procedure for this aircraft, when a missile is launched at it, it to simply outrun it. Without the protection from titanium, this aircraft’s speed of 3,500km an hour (three times the speed of sound) would not exist. For over 30 years it has been the fastest aircraft in the world.

Medical Devices

As far as biocompatible metals go, titanium is one of the best. The human body can handle having this metal in there body in large doses with no impact. The density of titanium is similar to human bone. Titanium skeleton? No problem. Breaking bones would be a thing of the past. But for now titanium is used for surgical implants, such as dental work, hip socket and joint replacement, and heart stents.

Titanium is also the clear choice for surgical instruments due to their strength to weight ratio. Another use in the medical field of this incredible metal is in the structure of wheelchairs. It’s lightweight structure works perfectly for those who require a little help getting from place to place.

Everyday Products

Surprisingly, only 5% of titanium metals are used to produce metal. The remaining percent is used to produce titanium dioxides. This is the pigment used in paint, plastic, paper, inks, cosmetics, and even food, which gives them a vibrant white color.

And of course, where would the world be without the many products produced by Apple? In order to achieve its lightweight frame, Apple’s PowerBook line is made out of titanium. No longer are the days of bulky and heavy laptops.

Art and Architecture

Its trademark shine comes from its contact with oxygen, which forms a hard protective oxide film. Variations of the thickness effect the color of metal projects. It is perfect for architectural structures due to its remarkable elasticity. For example, titanium was used on the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the 2008 structural repair and stabilization.

Sporting Products

All you sports nuts out there know that titanium products are the way to go. The lightest bicycle in the world is made from titanium and weighs only 6 pounds. This is a big difference from the average 30 pounds of an adult bike.

If you love the thrill of spending a day on the golf course, you know that the best of the best golf club heads are made out of titanium. Big name companies, such as Ping and Integra offer a titanium line.

From the everyday products, such as makeup and sports equipment to the unmatched speed of the SR-71, titanium finds a place in our everyday lives (Well… I suppose not everyone gets to sit in the cockpit of a “Blackbird,” but you get the picture). Titanium is enhancing our world for the better each and every day.