General characteristics. Discovery history

Eternal, mysterious, cosmic - all these and many other epithets are assigned in various sources titan. The history of the discovery of this metal was not trivial: at the same time, several scientists worked on isolating the element in its pure form. The process of studying the physical, chemical properties and determining the areas of its application today. Titanium is the metal of the future, its place in human life has not yet been finally determined, which gives modern researchers a huge scope for creativity and scientific research.

Characteristic

The chemical element is designated in periodic table D. I. Mendeleev symbol Ti. It is located in the secondary subgroup of group IV of the fourth period and has serial number 22. titanium - white-silver metal, light and durable. Electronic configuration atom has the following structure: +22)2)8)10)2, 1S 2 2S 2 2P 6 3S 2 3P 6 3d 2 4S 2 . Accordingly, titanium has several possible oxidation states: 2, 3, 4; in the most stable compounds, it is tetravalent.

Titanium - alloy or metal?

This question interests many. In 1910, the American chemist Hunter obtained the first pure titanium. The metal contained only 1% of impurities, but at the same time, its amount turned out to be negligible and did not make it possible to further study its properties. The plasticity of the obtained substance was achieved only under the influence of high temperatures; under normal conditions (room temperature), the sample was too fragile. In fact, this element did not interest scientists, since the prospects for its use seemed too uncertain. The difficulty of obtaining and research further reduced the potential for its application. Only in 1925, chemists from the Netherlands I. de Boer and A. Van Arkel received titanium metal, the properties of which attracted the attention of engineers and designers around the world. The history of the study of this element begins in 1790, exactly at this time, in parallel, independently of each other, two scientists discover titanium as a chemical element. Each of them receives a compound (oxide) of a substance, failing to isolate the metal in its pure form. The discoverer of titanium is the English mineralogist monk William Gregor. On the territory of his parish, located in the southwestern part of England, the young scientist began to study the black sand of the Menaken Valley. The result was the release of shiny grains, which were a titanium compound. At the same time, in Germany, the chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth isolated a new substance from the mineral rutile. In 1797, he also proved that elements opened in parallel are similar. Titanium dioxide has been a mystery to many chemists for more than a century, and even Berzelius was unable to obtain pure metal. The latest technologies of the 20th century significantly accelerated the process of studying the mentioned element and determined the initial directions for its use. At the same time, the scope of application is constantly expanding. Only the complexity of the process of obtaining such a substance as pure titanium can limit its scope. The price of alloys and metal is quite high, so today it cannot displace traditional iron and aluminum.

origin of name

Menakin is the first name for titanium, which was used until 1795. That is how, by territorial affiliation, he called new element W. Gregor. Martin Klaproth gives the element the name "titanium" in 1797. At this time, his French colleagues, led by a fairly reputable chemist A. L. Lavoisier, proposed to name the newly discovered substances in accordance with their basic properties. The German scientist did not agree with this approach, he quite reasonably believed that at the discovery stage it is rather difficult to determine all the characteristics inherent in a substance and reflect them in the name. However, it should be recognized that the term intuitively chosen by Klaproth fully corresponds to the metal - this has been repeatedly emphasized by modern scientists. There are two main theories for the origin of the name titanium. The metal could have been designated in honor of the Elven queen Titania (a character in Germanic mythology). This name symbolizes both the lightness and strength of the substance. Most scientists are inclined to use the version of the use of ancient Greek mythology, in which the powerful sons of the goddess of the earth Gaia were called titans. The name of the previously discovered element, uranium, also speaks in favor of this version.

Being in nature

Of the metals that are technically valuable to humans, titanium is the fourth most abundant in the earth's crust. Only iron, magnesium and aluminum are characterized by a large percentage in nature. The highest content of titanium is noted in the basalt shell, slightly less in the granite layer. In sea water, the content of this substance is low - approximately 0.001 mg / l. The chemical element titanium is quite active, so it cannot be found in its pure form. Most often, it is present in compounds with oxygen, while it has a valency of four. The amount of titanium-containing minerals varies from 63 to 75 (in various sources), while present stage Research scientists continue to discover new forms of its compounds. For practical use highest value have the following minerals:

1. Ilmenite (FeTiO 3).
2. Rutile (TiO 2).
3. Titanite (CaTiSiO 5).
4. Perovskite (CaTiO 3).
5. Titanomagnetite (FeTiO 3 + Fe 3 O 4), etc.

All existing titanium-containing ores are divided into placer and basic. This element is a weak migrant, it can travel only in the form of rock fragments or moving silty bottom rocks. In the biosphere, the largest amount of titanium is found in algae. In representatives of the terrestrial fauna, the element accumulates in the horny tissues, hair. The human body is characterized by the presence of titanium in the spleen, adrenal glands, placenta, thyroid gland.

Physical properties

Titanium is a non-ferrous metal with a silvery-white color that looks like steel. At a temperature of 0 0 C, its density is 4.517 g / cm 3. The substance has a low specific gravity, which is typical for alkali metals (cadmium, sodium, lithium, cesium). In terms of density, titanium occupies an intermediate position between iron and aluminum, while its performance characteristics higher than both elements. The main properties of metals, which are taken into account when determining the scope of their application, are hardness. Titanium is 12 times stronger than aluminum, 4 times stronger than iron and copper, while being much lighter. Plasticity and its yield strength allow processing at low and high temperatures, as in the case of other metals, i.e., riveting, forging, welding, rolling. A distinctive characteristic of titanium is its low thermal and electrical conductivity, while these properties are preserved at elevated temperatures, up to 500 0 C. In a magnetic field, titanium is a paramagnetic element, it is not attracted like iron, and is not pushed out like copper. Very high anti-corrosion performance in aggressive environments and under mechanical stress is unique. More than 10 years of being in sea water did not change the appearance and composition of the titanium plate. Iron in this case would be completely destroyed by corrosion.

Thermodynamic properties of titanium

1. The density (under normal conditions) is 4.54 g/cm 3 .
2. The atomic number is 22.
3. Group of metals - refractory, light.
4. The atomic mass of titanium is 47.0.
5. Boiling point (0 C) - 3260.
6. Molar volume cm 3 / mol - 10.6.
7. The melting point of titanium (0 C) is 1668.
8. Specific heat of evaporation (kJ / mol) - 422.6.
9. Electrical resistance (at 20 0 C) Ohm * cm * 10 -6 - 45.

Chemical properties

The increased corrosion resistance of the element is explained by the formation of a small oxide film on the surface. It prevents (under normal conditions) from gases (oxygen, hydrogen) in the surrounding atmosphere of an element such as titanium metal. Its properties change under the influence of temperature. When it rises to 600 0 C, an interaction reaction with oxygen occurs, resulting in the formation of titanium oxide (TiO 2). In the case of absorption of atmospheric gases, brittle compounds are formed that have no practical application, which is why titanium is welded and melted under vacuum. The reversible reaction is the process of dissolution of hydrogen in the metal, it occurs more actively with an increase in temperature (from 400 0 C and above). Titan, especially small particles(thin plate or wire), burns in a nitrogen atmosphere. A chemical reaction of interaction is possible only at a temperature of 700 0 C, resulting in the formation of TiN nitride. Forms highly hard alloys with many metals, often as an alloying element. It reacts with halogens (chromium, bromine, iodine) only in the presence of a catalyst (high temperature) and subject to interaction with a dry substance. In this case, very hard refractory alloys are formed. With solutions of most alkalis and acids, titanium is not chemically active, with the exception of concentrated sulfuric (with prolonged boiling), hydrofluoric, hot organic (formic, oxalic).

Place of Birth

Ilmenite ores are the most common in nature - their reserves are estimated at 800 million tons. The deposits of rutile deposits are much more modest, but the total volume - while maintaining the growth of production - should provide mankind for the next 120 years with such a metal as titanium. The price of the finished product will depend on demand and an increase in the level of manufacturability, but on average it varies in the range from 1200 to 1800 rubles/kg. In conditions of constant technical improvement, the cost of all production processes is significantly reduced with their timely modernization. China and Russia have the largest reserves, Japan, South Africa, Australia, Kazakhstan, India, South Korea, Ukraine, Ceylon also have a mineral resource base. The deposits differ in the volume of production and the percentage of titanium in the ore, geological surveys are ongoing, which makes it possible to assume a decrease in the market value of the metal and its wider use. Russia is by far the largest producer of titanium.

Receipt

For the production of titanium, titanium dioxide, which contains a minimum amount of impurities, is most often used. It is obtained by enrichment of ilmenite concentrates or rutile ores. In the electric arc furnace, the heat treatment of the ore takes place, which is accompanied by the separation of iron and the formation of slag containing titanium oxide. The sulfate or chloride method is used to process the iron-free fraction. Titanium oxide is a gray powder (see photo). Titanium metal is obtained by its phased processing.

The first phase is the process of sintering the slag with coke and exposure to chlorine vapor. The resulting TiCl 4 is reduced with magnesium or sodium when exposed to a temperature of 850 0 C. The titanium sponge (porous fused mass) obtained as a result of a chemical reaction is purified or melted into ingots. Depending on the further direction of use, an alloy or pure metal is formed (impurities are removed by heating to 1000 0 C). For the production of a substance with an impurity content of 0.01%, the iodide method is used. It is based on the process of evaporation of its vapors from a titanium sponge pre-treated with halogen.

Applications

The melting temperature of titanium is quite high, which, given the lightness of the metal, is an invaluable advantage of using it as a structural material. Therefore, it finds the greatest application in shipbuilding, the aviation industry, the manufacture of rockets, and chemical industries. Titanium is quite often used as an alloying additive in various alloys, which have increased hardness and heat resistance characteristics. High anti-corrosion properties and the ability to withstand most aggressive environments make this metal indispensable for the chemical industry. Titanium (its alloys) is used to make pipelines, tanks, valves, filters used in the distillation and transportation of acids and other chemically active substances. It is in demand when creating devices operating in conditions of elevated temperature indicators. Titanium compounds are used to make durable cutting tools, paints, plastics and paper, surgical instruments, implants, jewelry, finishing materials used in the food industry. All directions are difficult to describe. Modern medicine, due to complete biological safety, often uses titanium metal. Price is the only factor that so far affects the breadth of application of this element. It is fair to say that titanium is the material of the future, by studying which humanity will switch to new stage development.

The main part of titanium is spent on the needs of aviation and rocket technology and marine shipbuilding. It, as well as ferrotitanium, is used as an alloying additive to high-quality steels and as a deoxidizer. Technical titanium is used for the manufacture of tanks, chemical reactors, pipelines, fittings, pumps, valves and other products operating in aggressive environments. Grids and other parts of electrovacuum devices operating at high temperatures are made from compact titanium.

In terms of use as a structural material, Ti is in 4th place, second only to Al, Fe, and Mg. Titanium aluminides are very resistant to oxidation and heat-resistant, which in turn determined their use in aviation and automotive industry as structural materials. The biological safety of this metal makes it an excellent material for the food industry and reconstructive surgery.

Titanium and its alloys are widely used in engineering due to their high mechanical strength, which is maintained at high temperatures, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, specific strength, low density and other useful properties. The high cost of this metal and materials based on it is in many cases compensated by their greater efficiency, and in some cases they are the only raw material from which it is possible to manufacture equipment or structures capable of operating under given specific conditions.

Titanium alloys play an important role in aviation technology, where they strive to obtain the most lightweight construction combined with the required strength. Ti is light compared to other metals, but at the same time it can work at high temperatures. Ti-based materials are used to make skin, fastening parts, power pack, chassis parts, and various units. Also, these materials are used in the construction of aircraft jet engines. This allows you to reduce their weight by 10-25%. Titanium alloys are used to produce disks and blades of compressors, parts of air intakes and guides in engines, and various fasteners.

Another area of ​​application is rocket science. In view of the short-term operation of the engines and the rapid passage of dense layers of the atmosphere, the problems of fatigue strength, static endurance, and, to some extent, creep are removed in rocket science.

Due to insufficiently high thermal strength, technical titanium is not suitable for use in aviation, but due to its exceptionally high corrosion resistance, in some cases it is indispensable in the chemical industry and shipbuilding. So it is used in the manufacture of compressors and pumps for pumping such aggressive media as sulfuric and hydrochloric acid and their salts, pipelines, valves, autoclaves, various containers, filters, etc. Only Ti has corrosion resistance in media such as wet chlorine, aqueous and acidic solutions of chlorine, therefore equipment for the chlorine industry is made from this metal. It is also used to make heat exchangers operating in corrosive environments, for example, in nitric acid (not fuming). In shipbuilding, titanium is used to make propellers, plating of sea vessels, submarines, torpedoes, etc. Shells do not stick to this material, which sharply increase the resistance of the vessel during its movement.

Titanium alloys are promising for use in many other applications, but their use in technology is constrained by the high cost and insufficient prevalence of this metal.

Titanium compounds are also widely used in various industries industry. Carbide (TiC) has a high hardness and is used in the manufacture of cutting tools and abrasive materials. White dioxide (TiO 2 ) is used in paints (eg titanium white) as well as in the production of paper and plastics. Organotitanium compounds (for example, tetrabutoxytitanium) are used as a catalyst and hardener in the chemical and paint industries. Ti inorganic compounds are used in the chemical, electronic, glass fiber industry as an additive. Diboride (TiB 2)- important component superhard materials for metal processing. Nitride (TiN) is used to coat tools.

Titanium - metal fairies. At least the element is named after the queen of these mythical creatures. Titania, like all her relatives, distinguished herself by airiness.

Fairies can fly not only with wings, but also with low weight. Titanium is also light. The density of the element is the smallest among metals. This is where the resemblance to fairies ends and pure science begins.

Chemical and physical properties of titanium

Titanium is an element silvery-white color, with a pronounced luster. In the highlights of the metal, you can see pink, blue, and red. Shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow is a characteristic feature of the 22nd element.

His radiance is always bright, because titanium resistant to corrosion. The material is protected from it by an oxide film. It is formed on the surface at standard temperature.

As a result, metal corrosion is not terrible either in air or in water, or in most aggressive environments, for example,. So chemists called the mixture of concentrated and acids.

The 22nd element melts at 1,660 degrees Celsius. It turns out, titanium - non-ferrous metal refractory group. The material begins to burn before it softens.

A white flame appears at 1,200 degrees. The substance boils at 3260 Celsius. Melting an element makes it viscous. You have to use special reagents that prevent sticking.

If the liquid mass of the metal is viscous and sticky, then titanium in the state of powder is explosive. For the "bomb" to work, heating up to 400 degrees Celsius is enough. Accepting thermal energy, the element does not transfer it well.

Titanium is also not used as an electrical conductor. But, the material is valued for its strength. Combined with its low density and weight, it is useful in many industries.

Chemically, titanium is quite active. One way or another, metal interacts with most elements. Exceptions: - inert gases, , sodium, potassium, , calcium and .

Such a small amount of substances indifferent to titanium complicates the process of obtaining a pure element. Not easy to produce and titanium metal alloys. However, industrialists have learned to do this. The practical use of mixtures based on the 22nd substance is too high.

Application of titanium

Assembly of planes and rockets - that's where it comes in handy in the first place titanium. Buy metal necessary to increase the heat resistance and heat resistance of the hull. Heat resistance - resistance to high temperatures.

They, for example, are inevitable when accelerating a rocket in the atmosphere. Heat resistance is the preservation of most of the mechanical properties of the alloy in "fiery" circumstances. That is, with titanium, the performance characteristics of parts do not change depending on environmental conditions.

The resistance of the 22nd metal to corrosion also comes in handy. This property is important not only in the production of machines. The element goes to flasks and other utensils for chemical laboratories, becomes a raw material for jewelry.

Raw materials are not cheap. But, in all industries, the costs are paid off by the service life of titanium products, their ability to maintain their original appearance.

So, a series of dishes from the St. Petersburg company "Neva" "Metal Titan PK" allows you to use metal spoons when frying. They would destroy Teflon, scratch it. Titanium coating is unaffected by the attacks of steel and aluminum.

By the way, this also applies to jewelry. A ring made of or gold is easy to scratch. Titanium models remain smooth for decades. Therefore, the 22nd element began to be considered as a raw material for wedding rings.

Pan "Titan Metal" light, like dishes with Teflon. The 22nd element is only slightly heavier than aluminum. This inspired not only representatives light industry but also automotive specialists. It's no secret that cars have a lot of aluminum parts.

They are needed to reduce the mass of transport. But titanium is stronger. With regards to representative cars, the automotive industry has almost completely switched to the use of the 22nd metal.

Parts made of titanium and its alloys reduce the mass of an internal combustion engine by 30%. The case is also lightened, however, the price is growing. Aluminum is still cheaper.

Firm "Neva Metal Titan", reviews about which is left, as a rule, with a plus sign, produces utensils. Automotive brands use titanium for cars. give the element the shape of rings, earrings and bracelets. In this series of transfers, there are not enough medical companies.

The 22nd metal is the raw material for prostheses and surgical instruments. Products have almost no pores, so they are easily sterilized. In addition, titanium, being light, can withstand enormous loads. What else is needed, if, for example, an alien part is placed instead of the knee ligaments?

The absence of pores in the material is valued by successful restaurateurs. The cleanliness of the surgeon's scalpels is important. But, the cleanliness of the working surfaces of cooks is also important. To keep the food safe, it is cut and steamed on titanium tables.

They don't scratch and are easy to clean. Middle-level establishments, as a rule, use steel utensils, but they are inferior in quality. Therefore, in restaurants with Michelin stars, the equipment is titanium.

Titanium mining

The element is among the 20 most common on Earth, being exactly in the middle of the ranking. According to the mass of the planet's crust, the content of titanium is 0.57%. There are 0.001 milligrams of the 24th metal per liter of sea water. Shales and clays of the element contain 4.5 kilograms per ton.

In acidic rocks, that is, rich in silica, titanium accounts for 2.3 kilograms per thousand. In the main deposits formed from magma, the 22nd metal is about 9 kilos per ton. The least titanium is hidden in ultrabasic rocks with a 30% silica content - 300 grams per 1,000 kilograms of raw materials.

Despite the prevalence in nature, pure titanium is not found in it. The material for obtaining 100% metal was its iodite. The thermal decomposition of the substance was carried out by Arkel and De Boer. These are Dutch chemists. The experiment was a success in 1925. By the 1950s, mass production had begun.

Contemporaries, as a rule, extract titanium from its dioxide. This is a mineral called rutile. It has the least amount of foreign impurities. They look like titanite and.

When processing ilmenite ores, slag remains. It is he who serves as the material for obtaining the 22nd element. At the exit it is porous. We have to conduct secondary remelting in vacuum furnaces with the addition of.

When working with titanium dioxide, magnesium and chlorine are added to it. The mixture is heated in vacuum ovens. The temperature is raised until all excess elements have evaporated. Remains at the bottom of the containers pure titanium. The method is called magnesium thermal.

The hydride-calcium method has also been worked out. It is based on electrolysis. The high current allows the metal hydride to be separated into titanium and hydrogen. The iodite method of extracting the element, developed in 1925, continues to be used. However, in the 21st century it is the most time-consuming and expensive, so it begins to be forgotten.

Titanium price

On the metal titanium price set per kilogram. At the beginning of 2016, this is about 18 US dollars. The world market for the 22nd element reached 7,000,000 tons over the past year. The largest suppliers are Russia and China.

This is due to the reserves explored in them and suitable for development. In the second half of 2015, the demand for titanium and sheets began to decline.

Metal is also sold in the form of wire, various parts, for example, pipes. They are much cheaper than stock prices. But, you need to consider what is in bullion pure titanium, and alloys based on it are used in products.

The most significant for National economy there were and still are alloys and metals that combine lightness and strength. Titanium belongs to this category of materials and, in addition, has excellent corrosion resistance.

Titanium is a transition metal of the 4th group of the 4th period. Its molecular weight is only 22, which indicates the lightness of the material. At the same time, the substance is distinguished by exceptional strength: among all structural materials, it is titanium that has the highest specific strength. Color is silvery white.

What is titanium, the video below will tell:

Concept and features

Titanium is quite common - it takes 10th place in terms of content in the earth's crust. However, it was only in 1875 that a truly pure metal was isolated. Prior to this, the substance was either obtained with impurities, or its compounds were called metallic titanium. This confusion led to the fact that the metal compounds were used much earlier than the metal itself.

This is due to the peculiarity of the material: the most insignificant impurities significantly affect the properties of a substance, sometimes completely depriving it of its inherent qualities.

Thus, the smallest fraction of other metals deprives titanium of heat resistance, which is one of its valuable qualities. And a small addition of a non-metal turns a durable material into a brittle and unsuitable for use.

This feature immediately divided the resulting metal into 2 groups: technical and pure.

• The first are used in cases where strength, lightness and corrosion resistance are most needed, since titanium never loses the last quality.
• High purity material used where a material is needed that works under very high loads and high temperatures, but at the same time is lightweight. This, of course, is aircraft and rocket science.

The second special feature of matter is anisotropy. Some of it physical qualities change depending on the application of forces, which must be taken into account when applying.

Under normal conditions, the metal is inert, does not corrode either in sea water or in sea or city air. Moreover, it is the most biologically inert substance known, due to which titanium prostheses and implants are widely used in medicine.

At the same time, when the temperature rises, it begins to react with oxygen, nitrogen, and even hydrogen, and absorbs gases in liquid form. This unpleasant feature makes it extremely difficult both to obtain the metal itself and to manufacture alloys based on it.

The latter is possible only when using vacuum equipment. The most complex production process has turned a fairly common element into a very expensive one.

Bonding with other metals

Titanium occupies an intermediate position between the other two well-known structural materials - aluminum and iron, or rather, iron alloys. In many respects, the metal is superior to its "competitors":

• the mechanical strength of titanium is 2 times higher than that of iron, and 6 times higher than that of aluminum. In this case, the strength increases with decreasing temperature;
• corrosion resistance is much higher than that of iron and even aluminum;
• At normal temperatures, titanium is inert. However, when it rises to 250 C, it begins to absorb hydrogen, which affects the properties. In terms of chemical activity, it is inferior to magnesium, but, alas, it surpasses iron and aluminum;
• the metal conducts electricity much weaker: its electrical resistivity is 5 times higher than that of iron, 20 times higher than that of aluminum, and 10 times higher than that of magnesium;
• thermal conductivity is also much lower: 3 times less than iron 1, and 12 times less than aluminum. However, this property results in a very low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Pros and cons

In fact, titanium has many disadvantages. But the combination of strength and lightness is so in demand that no hard way manufacturing, nor the need for exceptional purity do not stop metal consumers.

The undoubted advantages of the substance include:

• low density, which means very little weight;
• exceptional mechanical strength of both the titanium metal itself and its alloys. With increasing temperature, titanium alloys outperform all aluminum and magnesium alloys;
• the ratio of strength and density - specific strength, reaches 30–35, which is almost 2 times higher than that of the best structural steels;
• in air, titanium is coated with a thin layer of oxide, which provides excellent corrosion resistance.

Metal also has its drawbacks:

• Corrosion resistance and inertness only applies to non-active surface products. Titanium dust or shavings, for example, spontaneously ignite and burn at a temperature of 400 C;
• a very complex method of obtaining titanium metal provides a very high cost. The material is much more expensive than iron, or;
• the ability to absorb atmospheric gases with increasing temperature requires the use of vacuum equipment for melting and obtaining alloys, which also significantly increases the cost;
• titanium has poor antifriction properties - it does not work for friction;
• metal and its alloys are prone to hydrogen corrosion, which is difficult to prevent;
• titanium is difficult to machine. Welding it is also difficult due to the phase transition during heating.

Titanium sheet (photo)

Properties and characteristics

Strongly dependent on cleanliness. Reference data describe, of course, pure metal, but the characteristics of technical titanium can vary markedly.

• The density of the metal decreases when heated from 4.41 to 4.25 g/cm3. The phase transition changes the density by only 0.15%.
• The melting point of the metal is 1668 C. The boiling point is 3227 C. Titanium is a refractory substance.
• On average, the tensile strength is 300–450 MPa, however, this figure can be increased to 2000 MPa by resorting to hardening and aging, as well as the introduction of additional elements.
• On the HB scale, the hardness is 103 and this is not the limit.
• The heat capacity of titanium is low - 0.523 kJ/(kg K).
• Specific electrical resistance - 42.1 10 -6 ohm cm.
• Titanium is a paramagnet. As the temperature decreases, its magnetic susceptibility decreases.
• Metal as a whole is characterized by ductility and malleability. However, these properties are strongly influenced by oxygen and nitrogen in the alloy. Both elements make the material brittle.

The substance is resistant to many acids, including nitric, sulfuric in low concentrations and almost all organic acids except formic. This quality ensures that titanium is in demand in the chemical, petrochemical, paper industries, and so on.

Structure and composition

Titanium - although it is a transition metal, and its electrical resistivity is low, nevertheless, it is a metal and conducts electric current, which means an ordered structure. When heated to a certain temperature, the structure changes:

• up to 883 C, the α-phase is stable with a density of 4.55 g / cu. see It is distinguished by a dense hexagonal lattice. Oxygen dissolves in this phase with the formation of interstitial solutions and stabilizes the α-modification - pushes the temperature limit;
• above 883 C, the β-phase with a body-centered cubic lattice is stable. Its density is somewhat less - 4.22 g / cu. see. Hydrogen stabilizes this structure - when it is dissolved in titanium, interstitial solutions and hydrides are also formed.

This feature makes the work of the metallurgist very difficult. The solubility of hydrogen decreases sharply when titanium is cooled, and hydrogen hydride, the γ-phase, precipitates in the alloy.

It causes cold cracks during welding, so manufacturers have to work extra hard after melting the metal to clean it of hydrogen.

About where you can find and how to make titanium, we will tell below.

This video is dedicated to the description of titanium as a metal:

Production and mining

Titanium is very common, so that with ores containing metal, and in fairly large quantities, there are no difficulties. The raw materials are rutile, anatase and brookite - titanium dioxide in various modifications, ilmenite, pyrophanite - compounds with iron, and so on.

But it is complex and requires expensive equipment. The methods of obtaining are somewhat different, since the composition of the ore is different. For example, the scheme for obtaining metal from ilmenite ores looks like this:

• obtaining titanium slag - the rock is loaded into an electric arc furnace together with a reducing agent - anthracite, charcoal and heated to 1650 C. At the same time, iron is separated, which is used to obtain cast iron and titanium dioxide in the slag;
• slag is chlorinated in mine or salt chlorinators. The essence of the process is to convert solid dioxide into gaseous titanium tetrachloride;
• in resistance furnaces in special flasks, the metal is reduced with sodium or magnesium from chloride. As a result, a simple mass is obtained - a titanium sponge. This is technical titanium quite suitable for the manufacture of chemical equipment, for example;
• if a purer metal is required, they resort to refining - in this case, the metal reacts with iodine in order to obtain gaseous iodide, and the latter, under the influence of temperature - 1300-1400 C, and electric current, decomposes, releasing pure titanium. An electric current is supplied through a titanium wire stretched in a retort, onto which a pure substance is deposited.

To obtain titanium ingots, the titanium sponge is melted down in a vacuum furnace to prevent hydrogen and nitrogen from dissolving.

The price of titanium per 1 kg is very high: depending on the degree of purity, the metal costs from $25 to $40 per 1 kg. On the other hand, the case of an acid-resistant stainless steel apparatus will cost 150 rubles. and will last no more than 6 months. Titanium will cost about 600 r, but is operated for 10 years. There are many titanium production facilities in Russia.

Areas of use

The influence of the degree of purification on the physical and mechanical properties forces us to consider it from this point of view. So, technical, that is, not the purest metal, has excellent corrosion resistance, lightness and strength, which determines its use:

• chemical industry– heat exchangers, pipes, casings, pump parts, fittings and so on. The material is indispensable in areas where acid resistance and strength are required;
• transport industry- the substance is used to make vehicles from trains to bicycles. In the first case, the metal provides a smaller mass of compounds, which makes traction more efficient, in the latter it gives lightness and strength, it is not for nothing that a titanium bicycle frame is considered the best;
• naval affairs- titanium is used to make heat exchangers, exhaust silencers for submarines, valves, propellers, and so on;
• in construction widely used - titanium - an excellent material for finishing facades and roofs. Along with strength, the alloy provides another advantage important for architecture - the ability to give products the most bizarre configuration, the ability to shape the alloy is unlimited.

The pure metal is also very resistant to high temperatures and retains its strength. The application is obvious:

• rocket and aircraft industry - sheathing is made from it. Engine parts, fasteners, chassis parts and so on;
• medicine - biological inertness and lightness makes titanium a much more promising material for prosthetics, up to heart valves;
• cryogenic technology - titanium is one of the few substances that, when the temperature drops, only become stronger and does not lose plasticity.

Titanium is a structural material of the highest strength with such lightness and ductility. These unique qualities provide him with an increasingly important role in the national economy.

The video below will tell you where to get titanium for a knife:

Physical and chemical properties of titanium, obtaining titanium

The use of titanium in pure form and in the form of alloys, the use of titanium in the form of compounds, the physiological effect of titanium

Section 1. History and occurrence of titanium in nature.

Titan -this is element of a secondary subgroup of the fourth group, the fourth period of the periodic system chemical elements D. I. Mendeleev, with atomic number 22. The simple substance titanium (CAS number: 7440-32-6) is a light silver-white metal. It exists in two crystalline modifications: α-Ti with a hexagonal close-packed lattice, β-Ti with a cubic body-centered packing, the temperature of the polymorphic transformation α↔β is 883 °C. Melting point 1660±20 °C.

History and presence in nature of titanium

Titan was named after the ancient Greek characters Titans. The German chemist Martin Klaproth named it this way for his personal reasons, unlike the French, who tried to give names in accordance with the chemical characteristics of the element, but since the properties of the element were unknown at that time, such a name was chosen.

Titanium is the 10th element in terms of number of it on our planet. The amount of titanium in the earth's crust is 0.57% by weight and 0.001 milligrams per 1 liter of sea water. Titanium deposits are located on the territory of: South African Republic, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Japan, Australia, India, Ceylon, Brazil and South Korea.

By physical properties titanium is a light silvery metal, in addition, it is characterized by high viscosity during machining and is prone to sticking to the cutting tool, so special lubricants or spraying are used to eliminate this effect. At room temperature, it is covered with a translucent TiO2 oxide film, due to which it is resistant to corrosion in most aggressive environments, except for alkalis. Titanium dust has the ability to explode, with a flash point of 400 °C. Titanium shavings are flammable.

To produce pure titanium or its alloys, in most cases, titanium dioxide is used with a small number of compounds included in it. For example, a rutile concentrate obtained by beneficiation of titanium ores. But the reserves of rutile are extremely small, and in connection with this, the so-called synthetic rutile or titanium slag, obtained during the processing of ilmenite concentrates, is used.

The discoverer of titanium is considered to be 28-year-old English monk William Gregor. In 1790, while conducting mineralogical surveys in his parish, he drew attention to the prevalence and unusual properties of black sand in the valley of Menaken in the south-west of England and began to explore it. In the sand, the priest found grains of a black shiny mineral, attracted by an ordinary magnet. Obtained in 1925 by Van Arkel and de Boer by the iodide method, the purest titanium turned out to be a ductile and technological metal with many valuable properties that attracted the attention of a wide range of designers and engineers. In 1940, Croll proposed a magnesium-thermal method for extracting titanium from ores, which is still the main one at the present time. In 1947, the first 45 kg of commercially pure titanium were produced.

In Mendeleev's periodic system of elements, titanium has serial number 22. The atomic mass of natural titanium, calculated from the results of studies of its isotopes, is 47.926. So, the nucleus of a neutral titanium atom contains 22 protons. The number of neutrons, that is, neutral uncharged particles, is different: more often 26, but can vary from 24 to 28. Therefore, the number of titanium isotopes is different. In total, 13 isotopes of element No. 22 are now known. Natural titanium consists of a mixture of five stable isotopes, titanium-48 is the most widely represented, its share in natural ores is 73.99%. Titanium and other elements of the IVB subgroup are very similar in properties to the elements of the IIIB subgroup (scandium group), although they differ from the latter in their ability to exhibit a large valency. The similarity of titanium with scandium, yttrium, as well as with elements of the VB subgroup - vanadium and niobium, is also expressed in the fact that titanium is often found in natural minerals together with these elements. With monovalent halogens (fluorine, bromine, chlorine and iodine), it can form di-tri- and tetra compounds, with sulfur and elements of its group (selenium, tellurium) - mono- and disulfides, with oxygen - oxides, dioxides and trioxides.

Titanium also forms compounds with hydrogen (hydrides), nitrogen (nitrides), carbon (carbides), phosphorus (phosphides), arsenic (arsides), as well as compounds with many metals - intermetallic compounds. Titanium forms not only simple, but also numerous complex compounds, many of its compounds with organic matter. As can be seen from the list of compounds in which titanium can participate, it is chemically very active. And at the same time, titanium is one of the few metals with exceptionally high corrosion resistance: it is practically eternal in the air, in cold and boiling water, it is very resistant in sea water, in solutions of many salts, inorganic and organic acids. In terms of its corrosion resistance in sea water, it surpasses all metals, with the exception of noble ones - gold, platinum, etc., most types of stainless steel, nickel, copper and other alloys. In water, in many aggressive environments, pure titanium is not subject to corrosion. Resists titanium and erosion corrosion resulting from a combination of chemical and mechanical effects on the metal. In this regard, it is not inferior to the best grades of stainless steels, copper-based alloys and other structural materials. Titanium also resists fatigue corrosion well, which often manifests itself in the form of violations of the integrity and strength of the metal (cracking, local corrosion centers, etc.). The behavior of titanium in many aggressive environments, such as nitrogen, hydrochloric, sulfuric, "aqua regia" and other acids and alkalis, is surprising and admirable for this metal.

Titanium is a very refractory metal. For a long time it was believed that it melts at 1800 ° C, but in the mid-50s. English scientists Diardorf and Hayes established the melting point for pure elemental titanium. It amounted to 1668 ± 3 ° C. In terms of its refractoriness, titanium is second only to such metals as tungsten, tantalum, niobium, rhenium, molybdenum, platinoids, zirconium, and among the main structural metals it is in first place. The most important feature of titanium as a metal is its unique physical and chemical properties: low density, high strength, hardness, etc. The main thing is that these properties do not change significantly at high temperatures.

Titan - light metal, its density at 0°C is only 4.517 g/cm8, and at 100°C it is 4.506 g/cm3. Titanium belongs to the group of metals with a specific gravity of less than 5 g/cm3. This includes all alkali metals (sodium, cadium, lithium, rubidium, cesium) with a specific gravity of 0.9–1.5 g/cm3, magnesium (1.7 g/cm3), aluminum (2.7 g/cm3) and etc. Titanium is more than 1.5 times heavier than aluminum, and in this, of course, it loses to it, but it is 1.5 times lighter than iron (7.8 g/cm3). However, taking specific gravity an intermediate position between aluminum and iron, titanium surpasses them many times in its mechanical properties.). Titanium has a significant hardness: it is 12 times harder than aluminum, 4 times harder than iron and copper. Another important characteristic of a metal is its yield strength. The higher it is, the better the parts made of this metal resist operational loads. The yield strength of titanium is almost 18 times higher than that of aluminum. The specific strength of titanium alloys can be increased by a factor of 1.5–2. His high mechanical properties well preserved at temperatures up to several hundred degrees. Pure titanium is suitable for all types of processing in hot and cold states: it can be forged like iron, drawn and even made into wire, rolled into sheets, tapes, and foils up to 0.01 mm thick.

Unlike most metals, titanium has significant electrical resistance: if the electrical conductivity of silver is taken as 100, then the electrical conductivity of copper is 94, aluminum is 60, iron and platinum is -15, and titanium is only 3.8. Titanium is a paramagnetic metal, it is not magnetized like iron in a magnetic field, but it is not pushed out of it like copper. Its magnetic susceptibility is very weak, this property can be used in construction. Titanium has a relatively low thermal conductivity, only 22.07 W / (mK), which is approximately 3 times lower than the thermal conductivity of iron, 7 times lower than magnesium, 17–20 times lower than aluminum and copper. Accordingly, the coefficient of linear thermal expansion of titanium is lower than that of other structural materials: at 20 C, it is 1.5 times lower than that of iron, 2 - for copper, and almost 3 - for aluminum. Thus, titanium is a poor conductor of electricity and heat.

Today, titanium alloys are widely used in aviation technology. Titanium alloys were first used on an industrial scale in the construction of aircraft jet engines. The use of titanium in the design of jet engines makes it possible to reduce their weight by 10...25%. In particular, compressor discs and blades, air intake parts, guide vanes and fasteners are made from titanium alloys. Titanium alloys are indispensable for supersonic aircraft. The increase in aircraft flight speeds led to an increase in the temperature of the skin, as a result of which aluminum alloys no longer meet the requirements imposed by aviation technology at supersonic speeds. The skin temperature in this case reaches 246...316 °C. Under these conditions, titanium alloys turned out to be the most acceptable material. In the 70s, the use of titanium alloys for the airframe of civil aircraft increased significantly. In the medium-haul aircraft TU-204, the total mass of parts made of titanium alloys is 2570 kg. The use of titanium in helicopters is gradually expanding, mainly for parts of the main rotor system, drive, and control system. An important place is occupied by titanium alloys in rocket science.

Due to the high corrosion resistance in sea water, titanium and its alloys are used in shipbuilding for the manufacture of propellers, ship plating, submarines, torpedoes, etc. Shells do not stick to titanium and its alloys, which sharply increase the resistance of the vessel when it moves. Gradually, the areas of application of titanium are expanding. Titanium and its alloys are used in the chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper and food industries, non-ferrous metallurgy, power engineering, electronics, nuclear technology, electroplating, in the manufacture of weapons, for the manufacture of armor plates, surgical instrument, surgical implants, desalination plants, racing car parts, sports equipment (golf clubs, climbing equipment), watch parts and even jewelry. Nitriding of titanium leads to the formation of a golden film on its surface, which is not inferior in beauty to real gold.

The discovery of TiO2 was made almost simultaneously and independently by the Englishman W. Gregor and the German chemist M. G. Klaproth. W. Gregor, studying the composition of magnetic ferruginous sand (Creed, Cornwall, England, 1791), isolated a new "earth" (oxide) of an unknown metal, which he called menaken. In 1795, the German chemist Klaproth discovered a new element in the mineral rutile and named it titanium. Two years later, Klaproth established that rutile and menaken earth are oxides of the same element, behind which the name "titanium" proposed by Klaproth remained. After 10 years, the discovery of titanium took place for the third time. The French scientist L. Vauquelin discovered titanium in anatase and proved that rutile and anatase are identical titanium oxides.

The first sample of metallic titanium was obtained in 1825 by J. Ya. Berzelius. Due to the high chemical activity of titanium and the complexity of its purification, the Dutch A. van Arkel and I. de Boer obtained a pure Ti sample in 1925 by thermal decomposition of titanium iodide TiI4 vapor.

Titanium is the 10th most abundant in nature. The content in the earth's crust is 0.57% by mass, in sea water 0.001 mg / l. 300 g/t in ultrabasic rocks, 9 kg/t in basic rocks, 2.3 kg/t in acid rocks, 4.5 kg/t in clays and shales. In the earth's crust, titanium is almost always tetravalent and is present only in oxygen compounds. It does not occur in free form. Titanium under conditions of weathering and precipitation has a geochemical affinity for Al2O3. It is concentrated in bauxites of the weathering crust and in marine clayey sediments. The transfer of titanium is carried out in the form of mechanical fragments of minerals and in the form of colloids. Up to 30% TiO2 by weight accumulates in some clays. Titanium minerals are resistant to weathering and form large concentrations in placers. More than 100 minerals containing titanium are known. The most important of them are: rutile TiO2, ilmenite FeTiO3, titanomagnetite FeTiO3 + Fe3O4, perovskite CaTiO3, titanite CaTiSiO5. There are primary titanium ores - ilmenite-titanomagnetite and placer - rutile-ilmenite-zircon.

Main ores: ilmenite (FeTiO3), rutile (TiO2), titanite (CaTiSiO5).

In 2002, 90% of the mined titanium was used for the production of titanium dioxide TiO2. World production of titanium dioxide was 4.5 million tons per year. The confirmed reserves of titanium dioxide (without Russia) are about 800 million tons. For 2006, according to the US Geological Survey, in terms of titanium dioxide and excluding Russia, the reserves of ilmenite ores amount to 603-673 million tons, and rutile - 49.7- 52.7 million tons. Thus, at the current rate of production, the world's proven reserves of titanium (excluding Russia) will be enough for more than 150 years.

Russia has the world's second largest reserves of titanium after China. The mineral resource base of titanium in Russia consists of 20 deposits (of which 11 are primary and 9 are alluvial), fairly evenly dispersed throughout the country. The largest of the explored deposits (Yaregskoye) is located 25 km from the city of Ukhta (Komi Republic). The reserves of the deposit are estimated at 2 billion tons of ore with an average titanium dioxide content of about 10%.

The world's largest titanium producer is the Russian company VSMPO-AVISMA.

As a rule, the starting material for the production of titanium and its compounds is titanium dioxide with a relatively small amount of impurities. In particular, it can be a rutile concentrate obtained during the beneficiation of titanium ores. However, the reserves of rutile in the world are very limited, and the so-called synthetic rutile or titanium slag, obtained during the processing of ilmenite concentrates, is more often used. To obtain titanium slag, ilmenite concentrate is reduced in an electric arc furnace, while iron is separated into a metal phase (cast iron), and not reduced titanium oxides and impurities form a slag phase. Rich slag is processed by the chloride or sulfuric acid method.

In pure form and in the form of alloys

Titanium monument to Gagarin on Leninsky Prospekt in Moscow

The metal is used in: chemical industry (reactors, pipelines, pumps, pipeline fittings), military industry (body armor, armor and fire barriers in aviation, submarine hulls), industrial processes (desalination plants, pulp and paper processes), automotive industry, agricultural industry, food industry, piercing jewelry, medical industry (prostheses, osteoprostheses), dental and endodontic instruments, dental implants, sporting goods, jewelry (Alexander Khomov), mobile phones, light alloys, etc. It is the most important structural material in aircraft, rocket, shipbuilding.

Titanium casting is carried out in vacuum furnaces in graphite molds. Vacuum investment casting is also used. Due to technological difficulties, it is used in artistic casting to a limited extent. The first monumental cast titanium sculpture in the world is the monument to Yuri Gagarin on the square named after him in Moscow.

Titanium is an alloying addition in many alloy steels and most special alloys.

Nitinol (nickel-titanium) is a shape memory alloy used in medicine and technology.

Titanium aluminides are very resistant to oxidation and heat-resistant, which in turn determined their use in aviation and automotive industry as structural materials.

Titanium is one of the most common getter materials used in high vacuum pumps.

White titanium dioxide (TiO2) is used in paints (such as titanium white) as well as in the manufacture of paper and plastics. Food supplement E171.

Organotitanium compounds (eg tetrabutoxytitanium) are used as a catalyst and hardener in the chemical and paint industries.

Inorganic titanium compounds are used in the chemical, electronic, glass fiber industries as additives or coatings.

Titanium carbide, titanium diboride, titanium carbonitride are important components of superhard materials for metal processing.

Titanium nitride is used to coat tools, church domes and in the manufacture of costume jewelry, because. has a color similar to gold.

Barium titanate BaTiO3, lead titanate PbTiO3 and a number of other titanates are ferroelectrics.

There are many titanium alloys with various metals. Alloying elements are divided into three groups, depending on their effect on the temperature of polymorphic transformation: beta stabilizers, alpha stabilizers and neutral hardeners. The former lower the transformation temperature, the latter increase it, and the latter do not affect it, but lead to solution hardening of the matrix. Examples of alpha stabilizers: aluminum, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen. Beta stabilizers: molybdenum, vanadium, iron, chromium, nickel. Neutral hardeners: zirconium, tin, silicon. Beta stabilizers, in turn, are divided into beta-isomorphic and beta-eutectoid-forming. The most common titanium alloy is the Ti-6Al-4V alloy (in the Russian classification - VT6).

60% - paint;

20% - plastic;

13% - paper;

7% - mechanical engineering.

$15-25 per kilo, depending on purity.

The purity and grade of rough titanium (titanium sponge) is usually determined by its hardness, which depends on the content of impurities. The most common brands are TG100 and TG110.

The price of ferrotitanium (minimum 70% titanium) as of 12/22/2010 is $6.82 per kilogram. On 01.01.2010 the price was at the level of $5.00 per kilogram.

In Russia, titanium prices at the beginning of 2012 were 1200-1500 rubles/kg.

Advantages:

low density (4500 kg / m3) helps to reduce the mass of the material used;

high mechanical strength. It should be noted that at elevated temperatures (250-500 °C) titanium alloys are superior in strength to high-strength aluminum and magnesium alloys;

unusually high corrosion resistance, due to the ability of titanium to form thin (5-15 microns) continuous films of TiO2 oxide on the surface, firmly bonded to the metal mass;

the specific strength (ratio of strength and density) of the best titanium alloys reaches 30-35 or more, which is almost twice the specific strength of alloyed steels.

Flaws:

high production cost, titanium is much more expensive than iron, aluminum, copper, magnesium;

active interaction at high temperatures, especially in the liquid state, with all the gases that make up the atmosphere, as a result of which titanium and its alloys can only be melted in a vacuum or in an inert gas environment;

difficulties involved in the production of titanium waste;

poor antifriction properties due to titanium sticking to many materials, titanium paired with titanium cannot work for friction;

high propensity of titanium and many of its alloys to hydrogen embrittlement and salt corrosion;

poor machinability similar to that of austenitic stainless steels;

high reactivity, a tendency to grain growth at high temperature and phase transformations during the welding cycle cause difficulties in welding titanium.

The main part of titanium is spent on the needs of aviation and rocket technology and marine shipbuilding. Titanium (ferrotitanium) is used as an alloying additive to high-quality steels and as a deoxidizer. Technical titanium is used for the manufacture of tanks, chemical reactors, pipelines, fittings, pumps, valves and other products operating in aggressive environments. Grids and other parts of electrovacuum devices operating at high temperatures are made from compact titanium.

In terms of use as a structural material, titanium is in 4th place, second only to Al, Fe and Mg. Titanium aluminides are very resistant to oxidation and heat-resistant, which in turn determined their use in aviation and automotive industry as structural materials. The biological safety of titanium makes it an excellent material for the food industry and reconstructive surgery.

Titanium and its alloys are widely used in engineering due to their high mechanical strength, which is maintained at high temperatures, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, specific strength, low density and other useful properties. The high cost of titanium and its alloys is in many cases offset by their greater performance, and in some cases they are the only material from which it is possible to manufacture equipment or structures capable of operating under given specific conditions.

Titanium alloys play an important role in aviation technology, where the aim is to obtain the lightest design combined with the required strength. Titanium is light compared to other metals, but at the same time it can work at high temperatures. Titanium alloys are used to make skin, fastening parts, a power set, chassis parts, and various units. Also, these materials are used in the construction of aircraft jet engines. This allows you to reduce their weight by 10-25%. Titanium alloys are used to produce compressor disks and blades, air intake and guide vane parts, and fasteners.

Titanium and its alloys are also used in rocket science. In view of the short-term operation of the engines and the rapid passage of dense layers of the atmosphere, the problems of fatigue strength, static endurance, and, to some extent, creep are removed in rocket science.

Technical titanium is not suitable for aviation applications due to its insufficiently high heat resistance, but due to its exceptionally high corrosion resistance, in some cases it is indispensable in the chemical industry and shipbuilding. So it is used in the manufacture of compressors and pumps for pumping such aggressive media as sulfuric and hydrochloric acid and their salts, pipelines, valves, autoclaves, various containers, filters, etc. Only titanium has corrosion resistance in media such as wet chlorine, aqueous and acidic solutions of chlorine, therefore equipment for the chlorine industry is made from this metal. Titanium is used to make heat exchangers that operate in corrosive environments, for example, in nitric acid (not fuming). In shipbuilding, titanium is used for the manufacture of propellers, plating of ships, submarines, torpedoes, etc. Shells do not stick to titanium and its alloys, which sharply increase the resistance of the vessel when it moves.

Titanium alloys are promising for use in many other applications, but their use in technology is constrained by the high cost and scarcity of titanium.

Titanium compounds are also widely used in various industries. Titanium carbide has a high hardness and is used in the manufacture of cutting tools and abrasive materials. White titanium dioxide (TiO2) is used in paints (such as titanium white) as well as in the manufacture of paper and plastics. Organotitanium compounds (eg tetrabutoxytitanium) are used as a catalyst and hardener in the chemical and paint industries. Inorganic titanium compounds are used in the chemical, electronic, fiberglass industry as an additive. Titanium diboride is an important component of superhard metalworking materials. Titanium nitride is used to coat tools.

With the current high prices for titanium, it is mainly used for the production of military equipment, where the main role belongs not to cost, but to technical characteristics. Nevertheless, cases of using the unique properties of titanium for civil needs are known. As the price of titanium declines and its production grows, the use of this metal in military and civilian purposes will expand more and more.

Aviation. The low specific gravity and high strength (especially at elevated temperatures) of titanium and its alloys make them highly valuable aviation materials. In the field of aircraft construction and the production of aircraft engines, titanium is increasingly replacing aluminum and stainless steel. As the temperature rises, aluminum quickly loses its strength. On the other hand, titanium has a clear strength advantage at temperatures up to 430°C, and elevated temperatures of this order occur at high speeds due to aerodynamic heating. The advantage of replacing steel with titanium in aviation is to reduce weight without sacrificing strength. The overall reduction in weight with increased performance at elevated temperatures allows for increased payload, range and maneuverability of aircraft. This explains the efforts aimed at expanding the use of titanium in aircraft construction in the manufacture of engines, the construction of fuselages, the manufacture of skins and even fasteners.

In the construction of jet engines, titanium is mainly used for the manufacture of compressor blades, turbine disks and many other stamped parts. Here, titanium is replacing stainless and heat-treated alloy steels. Saving in engine weight of one kilogram saves up to 10 kg in total weight aircraft due to the lightening of the fuselage. In the future, it is planned to use sheet titanium for the manufacture of casings for engine combustion chambers.

In aircraft construction, titanium is widely used for fuselage parts operating at elevated temperatures. Sheet titanium is used for the manufacture of all kinds of casings, protective sheaths of cables and guides for projectiles. Various stiffening elements, fuselage frames, ribs, etc. are made from alloyed titanium sheets.

Shrouds, flaps, cable sheaths and projectile guides are made from unalloyed titanium. Alloyed titanium is used for the manufacture of the fuselage frame, frames, pipelines and fireproof partitions.

Titanium is increasingly used in the construction of the F-86 and F-100 aircraft. In the future, titanium will be used to make landing gear doors, hydraulic piping, exhaust pipes and nozzles, spars, flaps, folding struts, etc.

Titanium can be used to make armor plates, propeller blades, and shell boxes.

At present, titanium is used in the construction of military aircraft Douglas X-3 for skin, Republic F-84F, Curtiss-Wright J-65 and Boeing B-52.

Titanium is also used in the construction of civil aircraft DC-7. The Douglas company, by replacing aluminum alloys and stainless steel with titanium in the manufacture of the engine nacelle and fire barriers, has already achieved savings in the weight of the aircraft structure of about 90 kg. Currently, the weight of titanium parts in this aircraft is 2%, and this figure is expected to be increased to 20% of the total weight of the aircraft.

The use of titanium makes it possible to reduce the weight of helicopters. Sheet titanium is used for floors and doors. A significant reduction in the weight of the helicopter (about 30 kg) was achieved by replacing alloyed steel with titanium for sheathing the blades of its rotors.

Navy. The corrosion resistance of titanium and its alloys makes them a highly valuable material at sea. The US Department of the Navy is extensively investigating the corrosion resistance of titanium against exposure to flue gases, steam, oil, and sea water. Almost the same importance in naval affairs has high value specific strength of titanium.

The low specific gravity of the metal, combined with corrosion resistance, increases the maneuverability and range of the ships, and also reduces the cost of maintaining the material part and its repair.

Applications of titanium in the navy include the manufacture of exhaust mufflers for submarine diesel engines, measuring instruments, thin-walled pipes for condensers and heat exchangers. According to experts, titanium, like no other metal, is able to increase the life of exhaust mufflers on submarines. For gauge discs exposed to salt water, gasoline or oil, titanium will provide better durability. The possibility of using titanium for the manufacture of heat exchanger tubes is being investigated, which should be corrosion resistant in sea water washing the tubes from the outside, and at the same time resist the effects of exhaust condensate flowing inside them. The possibility of manufacturing antennas and components of radar installations from titanium, which are required to be resistant to the effects of flue gases and sea water, is being considered. Titanium can also be used for the production of parts such as valves, propellers, turbine parts, etc.

Artillery. Apparently, the largest potential consumer of titanium may be artillery, where intensive research is currently underway on various prototypes. However, in this area, the production of only individual parts and parts made of titanium is standardized. The rather limited use of titanium in artillery with a large scope of research is explained by its high cost.

Various parts of artillery equipment were investigated from the point of view of the possibility of replacing conventional materials with titanium, subject to a reduction in titanium prices. The main attention was paid to parts for which weight reduction is essential (parts carried by hand and transported by air).

Mortar baseplate made from titanium instead of steel. By such a replacement and after some alteration, instead of a steel plate from two halves with a total weight of 22 kg, it was possible to create one part weighing 11 kg. Thanks to this replacement, it is possible to reduce the number of service personnel from three to two. The possibility of using titanium for the manufacture of gun flame arresters is being considered.

Titanium-made gun mounts, carriage crosses and recoil cylinders are being tested. Titanium can be widely used in the production of guided projectiles and missiles.

The first studies of titanium and its alloys showed the possibility of manufacturing armor plates from them. Replacing steel armor (12.7 mm thick) with titanium armor of the same projectile resistance (16 mm thick) makes it possible, according to these studies, to save up to 25% in weight.

High-quality titanium alloys give hope for the possibility of replacing steel plates with titanium plates of equal thickness, which saves up to 44% in weight. The industrial use of titanium will provide greater maneuverability, increase the range of transportation and the durability of the gun. The current level of development of air transport makes obvious the advantages of light armored cars and other vehicles made of titanium. The artillery department intends to equip infantry with helmets, bayonets, grenade launchers and hand-held flamethrowers made of titanium in the future. Titanium alloy was first used in artillery for the manufacture of the piston of some automatic guns.

Transport. Many of the benefits of using titanium in the production of armored materiel apply to vehicles as well.

The replacement of structural materials currently consumed by transport engineering enterprises with titanium should lead to a reduction in fuel consumption, an increase in payload capacity, an increase in the fatigue limit of parts of crank mechanisms, etc. railways it is essential to reduce dead weight. A significant reduction in the total weight of the rolling stock due to the use of titanium will save in traction, reduce the dimensions of the necks and axle boxes.

Weight is also important for trailers. Here, the replacement of steel with titanium in the production of axles and wheels would also increase the payload capacity.

All these opportunities could be realized by reducing the price of titanium from 15 to 2-3 dollars per pound of titanium semi-finished products.

Chemical industry. In the production of equipment for the chemical industry, the corrosion resistance of the metal is of the utmost importance. It is also essential to reduce the weight and increase the strength of the equipment. Logically, it should be assumed that titanium could provide a number of benefits in the production of equipment for transporting acids, alkalis and inorganic salts from it. Additional features applications of titanium are being discovered in the production of equipment such as tanks, columns, filters and all kinds of high pressure cylinders.

The use of titanium piping can improve the efficiency of heating coils in laboratory autoclaves and heat exchangers. The applicability of titanium for the production of cylinders in which gases and liquids are stored under pressure for a long time is evidenced by the use in microanalysis of combustion products instead of a heavier glass tube (shown in the upper part of the image). Due to the small wall thickness and low specific gravity this tube can be weighed on smaller, more sensitive analytical balances. Here, the combination of lightness and corrosion resistance improves the accuracy of chemical analysis.

Other applications. The use of titanium is expedient in the food, oil and electrical industries, as well as for the manufacture of surgical instruments and in surgery itself.

Tables for food preparation, steaming tables made of titanium are superior in quality to steel products.

In the oil and gas drilling industry, the fight against corrosion is of great importance, so the use of titanium will make it possible to replace corroding equipment rods less often. In catalytic production and for the manufacture of oil pipelines, it is desirable to use titanium, which retains mechanical properties at high temperatures and has good corrosion resistance.

In the electrical industry, titanium can be used to armor cables due to its good specific strength, high electrical resistance and non-magnetic properties.

In various industries, fasteners of one form or another made of titanium are beginning to be used. Further expansion of the use of titanium is possible for the manufacture of surgical instruments, mainly due to its corrosion resistance. Titanium instruments are superior in this respect to conventional surgical instruments when repeatedly boiled or autoclaved.

In the field of surgery, titanium proved to be better than vitallium and stainless steels. The presence of titanium in the body is quite acceptable. The plate and screws made of titanium for fastening the bones were in the body of the animal for several months, and the bone grew into the threads of the screws and into the hole in the plate.

The advantage of titanium also lies in the fact that muscle tissue is formed on the plate.

Approximately half of the titanium products produced in the world are usually sent to the civil aircraft industry, but its decline after the well-known tragic events is forcing many industry participants to look for new applications for titanium. This material presents the first part of a selection of publications in the foreign metallurgical press devoted to the prospects of titanium in modern conditions. According to one of the leading American manufacturers of titanium RT1, out of the total volume of titanium production on a global scale at the level of 50-60 thousand tons per year, the aerospace segment accounts for up to 40 consumption, industrial applications and applications account for 34, and the military area 16 , and about 10 accounted for the use of titanium in consumer products. Industrial applications of titanium include chemical processes, energy, oil and gas industry, desalination plants. Military non-aeronautical applications include primarily use in artillery and combat vehicles. Sectors with significant use of titanium are the automotive industry, architecture and construction, sporting goods, and jewelry. Almost all titanium in ingots is produced in the USA, Japan and the CIS - Europe accounts for only 3.6 of the global volume. Regional markets for the end use of titanium vary greatly - the most striking example of originality is Japan, where the civil aerospace sector accounts for only 2-3 using 30 of the total consumption of titanium in equipment and structural elements of chemical plants. Approximately 20% of Japan's total demand is for nuclear power and solid fuel power plants, the rest is for architecture, medicine and sports. The opposite picture is observed in the US and Europe, where consumption in the aerospace sector is of exceptional importance - 60-75 and 50-60 for each region, respectively. In the US, traditionally strong end markets are chemicals, medical equipment, industrial equipment, while in Europe the largest share is in the oil and gas industry and the construction industry. The heavy reliance on the aerospace industry has been a long-standing concern for the titanium industry, which is trying to expand titanium's applications, especially in the current downturn in global civil aviation. According to the US Geological Survey, in the first quarter of 2003 there was a significant decline in imports of titanium sponge - only 1319 tons, which is 62 less than 3431 tons in the same period in 2002. The aerospace sector will always be one of the leading markets for titanium, but we in the titanium industry must rise to the challenge and do everything we can to make sure our industry does not development and recession cycles in the aerospace sector. Some of the titanium industry's leading manufacturers see growing opportunities in existing markets, one of which is the subsea equipment and materials market. According to Martin Proko, Sales and Distribution Manager for RT1, titanium has been used in power generation and underwater applications for a long time, since the early 1980s, but only in the last five years have these areas become steadily developing with a corresponding growth in the market niche. In the subsea sector, the growth is primarily driven by drilling operations at greater depths, where titanium is the most suitable material. Its, so to speak, underwater life cycle is fifty years, which corresponds to the usual duration of underwater projects. We have already listed the areas in which an increase in the use of titanium is likely. As the sales manager says American company Howmet Ti-Cast Bob Funnell, the current state of the market can be seen as growing opportunities in new areas such as rotating parts for truck turbochargers, rockets and pumps.

One of our ongoing projects is the development of BAE Butitzer XM777 light artillery systems with a caliber of 155 mm. Newmet will supply 17 of the 28 structural titanium assemblies for each gun mount, with deliveries to the US Marine Corps due in August 2004. With a total gun weight of 9,800 pounds of approximately 4.44 tons, titanium accounts for about 2,600 pounds of approximately 1.18 tons of titanium in its design - a 6A14U alloy with a large number of castings is used, says Frank Hrster, head of fire support systems BAE Sy81et8. This XM777 system is to replace the current M198 Newitzer system, which weighs about 17,000 pounds and approximately 7.71 tons. Mass production is planned for the period from 2006 to 2010 - deliveries to the USA, Great Britain and Italy are initially scheduled, but it is possible to expand the program for deliveries to NATO member countries. John Barber of Timet points out that examples military equipment, in the design of which significant volumes of titanium are used, are the Abramé tank and the Bradley fighting vehicle. For the past two years, a joint program between NATO, the US and the UK has been underway to intensify the use of titanium in weapons and defense systems. As has been noted more than once, titanium is very suitable for use in the automotive industry, however, the share of this direction is rather modest - about 1 of the total volume of titanium consumed, or 500 tons per year, according to the Italian company Poggipolini, a manufacturer of titanium components and parts for Formula- 1 and racing motorcycles. Daniele Stoppolini, the head of the research and development department of this company, believes that the current demand for titanium in this market segment is at the level of 500 tons, with the massive use of this material in the construction of valves, springs, exhaust systems, transmission shafts, bolts, could potentially rise to the level of almost not 16,000 tons per year He added that his company is just beginning to develop automated production of titanium bolts in order to reduce production costs. In his opinion, the limiting factors, due to which the use of titanium does not expand significantly in the automotive industry, are the unpredictability of demand and the uncertainty with the supply of raw materials. At the same time, a large potential niche remains in the automotive industry for titanium, which combines optimal weight and strength characteristics for coil springs and exhaust systems. Unfortunately, in the American market, the wide use of titanium in these systems is marked only by a fairly exclusive semi-sport model Chevrolet Corvette Z06, which can in no way claim to be a mass car. However, due to the ongoing challenges of fuel economy and corrosion resistance, the prospects for titanium in this area remain. For approval in the markets of non-aerospace and non-military applications, the UNITI joint venture was recently created in its name, the word unity is played up - unity and Ti - the designation of titanium in the periodic table as part of the world's leading titanium producers - American Allegheny Technologies and Russian VSMPO-Avisma. These markets have been deliberately excluded, said Carl Moulton, president of the new company, as we intend to make the new company a leading supplier to industries using titanium parts and assemblies, primarily petrochemicals and power generation. In addition, we intend to actively market in the fields of desalination devices, vehicles, consumer products and electronics. I believe that our production facilities complement each other well - VSMPO has outstanding capabilities for the production of end products, Allegheny has excellent traditions in the production of cold and hot titanium rolled products. UNITI's share of the global titanium products market is expected to be 45 million pounds, approximately 20,411 tons. The market of medical equipment can be considered a steadily developing market - according to the British Titanium International Group, the annual content of titanium worldwide in various implants and prostheses is about 1000 tons, and this figure will increase, as the possibilities of surgery to replace human joints after accidents or injuries. In addition to the obvious advantages of flexibility, strength, lightness, titanium is highly compatible with the body in a biological sense due to the absence of corrosion to tissues and fluids in the human body. In dentistry, the use of prostheses and implants is also skyrocketing - three times in the last ten years, according to the American Dental Association, largely due to the characteristics of titanium. Although the use of titanium in architecture dates back more than 25 years, its widespread use in this area began only in last years. The expansion of Abu Dhabi Airport in the UAE, scheduled for completion in 2006, will use up to 1.5 million pounds of approximately 680 tons of titanium. Quite a lot of various architectural and construction projects using titanium are planned to be implemented not only in the developed countries of the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Singapore, but also in Egypt and Peru.

The consumer goods market segment is currently the fastest growing segment of the titanium market. While 10 years ago this segment was only 1-2 of the titanium market, today it has grown to 8-10 of the market. Overall, titanium consumption in the consumer goods industry grew at about twice the rate of the entire titanium market. The use of titanium in sports is the longest running and the largest share of titanium in consumer products. The reason for the popularity of titanium in sports equipment is simple - it allows you to get a ratio of weight and strength superior to any other metal. The use of titanium in bicycles began about 25-30 years ago and was the first use of titanium in sports equipment. Ti3Al-2.5V ASTM Grade 9 alloy tubes are mainly used. Other parts made from titanium alloys include brakes, sprockets and seat springs. The use of titanium in the manufacture of golf clubs first began in the late 80s and early 90s by club manufacturers in Japan. Prior to 1994-1995, this application of titanium was virtually unknown in the US and Europe. That changed when Callaway introduced its Ruger Titanium titanium stick, called the Great Big Bertha. Due to the obvious benefits and well-thought-out marketing from Callaway, titanium sticks became an instant hit. Within a short period of time, titanium clubs have gone from the exclusive and expensive equipment of a small group of golfers to being widely used by most golfers while still being more expensive than steel clubs. I would like to cite the main, in my opinion, trends in the development of the golf market; it has gone from high-tech to mass production in a short period of 4-5 years, following the path of other industries with high labor costs such as the production of clothing, toys and consumer electronics, the production of golf clubs has gone into countries with the cheapest labor first to Taiwan, then to China, and now factories are being built in countries with even cheaper labor, such as Vietnam and Thailand, titanium is definitely used for drivers, where its superior qualities give a clear advantage and justify a higher price . However, titanium has not yet found very widespread use on subsequent clubs, as the significant increase in costs is not supported by a corresponding improvement in the game. Currently, drivers are mainly produced with a forged striking surface, a forged or cast top and a cast bottom. Recently, the Professional Golf Association ROA allowed an increase the upper limit of the so-called return factor, in connection with which all club manufacturers will try to increase the spring properties of the striking surface. To do this, it is necessary to reduce the thickness of the impact surface and use stronger alloys for it, such as SP700, 15-3-3-3 and VT-23. Now let's focus on the use of titanium and its alloys on other sports equipment. Race bike tubes and other parts are made from ASTM Grade 9 Ti3Al-2.5V alloy. A surprisingly significant amount of titanium sheet is used in the manufacture of scuba diving knives. Most manufacturers use Ti6Al-4V alloy, but this alloy does not provide blade edge durability like other stronger alloys. Some manufacturers are switching to using BT23 alloy.

The retail price of titanium scuba knives is approximately $70-80. Cast titanium horseshoes provide a significant reduction in weight compared to steel, while providing the necessary strength. Unfortunately, this use of titanium did not materialize because the titanium horseshoes sparkled and frightened the horses. Few will agree to use titanium horseshoes after the first unsuccessful experiments. Titanium Beach, based in Newport Beach, California Newport Beach, California, has developed Ti6Al-4V alloy skate blades. Unfortunately, here again the problem is the durability of the edge of the blades. I think that this product has a chance to live if manufacturers use stronger alloys such as 15-3-3-3 or BT-23. Titanium is very widely used in mountaineering and hiking, for almost all items that climbers and hikers carry in their backpacks bottles, cups retail price $20-30, cooking sets retail price approximately $50, dinnerware mostly made from commercially pure titanium Grade 1 and 2. Other examples of climbing and hiking equipment are compact stoves, tent racks and mounts, ice axes and ice screws. Arms manufacturers have recently begun producing titanium pistols for both sport shooting and law enforcement applications.

Consumer electronics is a fairly new and rapidly growing market for titanium. In many cases, the use of titanium in consumer electronics is not only due to its excellent properties, but also due to the attractive appearance of the products. Commercially pure Grade 1 titanium is used to make cases for laptop computers, mobile phones, plasma flat screen TVs and other electronic equipment. The use of titanium in speaker construction provides better acoustic properties due to titanium being lighter than steel resulting in increased acoustic sensitivity. Titanium watches, first introduced to the market by Japanese manufacturers, are now one of the most affordable and recognized consumer titanium products. World consumption of titanium in the production of traditional and so-called wearable jewelry is measured in several tens of tons. Increasingly, you can see titanium wedding rings, and of course, people wearing jewelry on their bodies are simply obliged to use titanium. Titanium is widely used in the manufacture of marine fasteners and fittings, where the combination of high corrosion resistance and strength is very important. Los Angeles-based Atlas Ti manufactures a wide range of these products in VTZ-1 alloy. The use of titanium in the production of tools first began in the Soviet Union in the early 80s, when, on the instructions of the government, lightweight and handy tools to make the work of the workers easier. The Soviet giant of titanium production, the Verkhne-Saldinskoye Metal Processing Production Association, at that time produced titanium shovels, nail pullers, mounts, hatchets and keys.

Later, Japanese and American tool manufacturers began to use titanium in their products. Not so long ago, VSMPO signed a contract with Boeing for the supply of titanium plates. This contract undoubtedly had a very beneficial effect on the development of titanium production in Russia. Titanium has been widely used in medicine for many years. The advantages are strength, corrosion resistance, and most importantly, some people are allergic to nickel, a necessary component of stainless steels, while no one is allergic to titanium. The alloys used are commercially pure titanium and Ti6-4Eli. Titanium is used in the manufacture of surgical instruments, internal and external prostheses, including critical ones such as a heart valve. Crutches and wheelchairs are made from titanium. The use of titanium in art dates back to 1967, when the first titanium monument was erected in Moscow.

At the moment, a significant number of titanium monuments and buildings have been erected on almost all continents, including such famous ones as the Guggenheim Museum, built by architect Frank Gehry in Bilbao. The material is very popular with people of art for its color, appearance, strength and corrosion resistance. For these reasons, titanium is used in souvenirs and costume jewelry haberdashery, where it successfully competes with such precious metals as silver and even gold. . According to Martin Proko of RTi, the average price of titanium sponge in the US is 3.80 per pound, in Russia it is 3.20 per pound. In addition, the price of metal is highly dependent on the cyclicality of the commercial aerospace industry. The development of many projects could accelerate dramatically if ways can be found to reduce the costs of titanium production and processing, scrap processing and smelting technologies, said Markus Holz, managing director of the German Deutshe Titan. British Titanium agrees that titanium product expansion is being held back by high production costs and many improvements need to be made before titanium can be mass produced. modern technologies.

One of the steps in this direction is the development of the so-called FFC process, which is a new electrolytic process for the production of metallic titanium and alloys, the cost of which is significantly lower. According to Daniele Stoppolini, the overall strategy in the titanium industry requires the development of the most suitable alloys, production technology for each new market and application of titanium.

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Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia, WikiPedia

metotech.ru - Metotechnics

housetop.com - House Top

atomsteel.com – Atom technology

domremstroy.ru - DomRemStroy