Versatile and reliable, titanium offers several unique benefits: a high strength-to-weight ratio, great resistance to corrosion and chemical attack, excellent biocompatibility, the ability to withstand high heat, and easy recyclability. This metal offers lasting benefits in various applications within the industrial sphere.
Stronger than most types of steel but 45% lighter, titanium is an ideal choice for thrust-to-weight components such as airplane landing gear and tennis rackets.
Nonpoisonous, non-corrosive, and biologically inert when placed within the human body, titanium is also an excellent option for medical implants, which can last 20 to 30 years when made with this material. The medical industry uses titanium for hip replacements, dental implants, and surgical instruments.
Titanium is frequently used in the aerospace, medical, automotive, and sporting goods industries, among many others.
Why Choose Titanium Over Steel
Titanium and steel are often compared when deciding on an appropriate metal for an application.
Below are five compelling reasons to choose titanium over steel.
- Titanium has the highest strength-to-density ratio of any metal, including steel.
Titanium is often used in applications in which steel would be too heavy.And thanks to titanium’s good flexibility compared to steel, shock absorption is also greater. Racing bikes, high-performance cars, and motorcycles all do well with the light weight and suppleness of titanium.
- Titanium offers good resistance to corrosion and chemical attacks.
Titanium is highly resistant to the same weather conditions that erode steel and create runoff pollution. Steel rusts and stains, and is susceptible to creeping salt and seawater corrosion. Titanium, therefore, is a much better choice for ship parts and watercraft.And because of its noncorrosive nature, titanium doesn’t require paint or protective coverings. This saves on manufacturing and long-term
maintenance costs.Compared to steel, titanium is also highly resistant to industrial chemicals. in desalination plants, processing plants, chemical plant reactors and piping, and throughout the paper and petrochemical industries.
- Titanium is biocompatible.
Titanium is widely valued in the medical industry. Unlike steel, titanium has great resistance to repeated loads, without wearing down. Joint replacements, bone plates, and surgical screws are just a few of titanium’s many uses in the medical sphere.Also unlike steel, titanium is paramagnetic, making it MRI-compatible for use in physical implants. The human body finds titanium nontoxic and does not reject it.
- Titanium withstands high and low temperatures.
Steel cannot bear high heat, whereas titanium has a high melting point (more than 1650 °C, or 3000 °F). Titanium also withstands low temperatures, whereas steel can shatter in cold conditions.Titanium parts allow for higher-quality products and longer life spans. Plus, unlike steel, titanium survives weathering in both normal and extreme outdoor uses. This translates to lower lifetime costs for construction materials.
- Titanium is completely recyclable.
Titanium is completely reusable, reducing the energy input costs involved. Unlike steel, every scrap can be reclaimed. This includes new scrap generated during the production of titanium components, as well as old scrap recovered from used pieces such as aircraft parts and head exchangers.Recycling scrap metals saves energy and reduces environmental pollution, making titanium the more eco-friendly option.
The Value of Titanium
Whether used in indoor or outdoor applications, on land or in the ocean, in bicycle frames or within the human body, titanium’s natural qualities easily outshine those of steel.
Resources:
- https://continentalsteel.com/titanium/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium
- https://www.ilovebicycling.com/carbon-fiber-vs-aluminum-vs-steel-vs-titanium/
- https://titaniumprocessingcenter.com/titanium-technical-data/titanium-strength-to-weight-comparison/
- https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=7156
- http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/1005/boyer-1005.html
- http://toughasstools.com/titanium-vs-steel-hammers/
- https://www.excelta.com/article/3465-what-type-of-metal
- https://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele022.html
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