Titanium
✈️ In Your World
Titanium is famous for having the highest strength-to-density ratio of any metallic element. It's as strong as some steels but 45% lighter. This makes it a critical material for the aerospace industry, used in jet engines, spacecraft, and missiles. Because it's also highly corrosion-resistant and biocompatible, it's the go-to metal for medical implants like hip and knee replacements. Its oxide, titanium dioxide, is a brilliant white pigment used in paint, paper, and sunscreen.
📖 The Discovery Story
Titanium was discovered in 1791 by amateur geologist William Gregor in Cornwall, England. He recognized a new element in the mineral ilmenite. It was independently rediscovered in 1795 by German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth, who named it "titanium" after the Titans of Greek mythology, known for their immense strength. However, pure titanium metal was not produced until 1910.
📊 Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | 1668 °C / 3034 °F |
| Boiling Point | 3287 °C / 5949 °F |
| Electron Configuration | [Ar] 3d²4s² |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 0.632% |
⚠️ Safety & Handling
In its solid form, titanium is non-toxic and so biocompatible that it's used for implants inside the human body. However, titanium dust or shavings can be a fire hazard, as they can ignite in air at high temperatures.