Titanium Facts
Titanium was first discovered at the end of
the 18th century. The name was derived from the
Titans of Greek mythology, known for their
extreme and superior strength. Titanium is the
only element possessing the strength of steel,
yet with a weight comparable to aluminum.
Titanium has positively and diversely impacted
mankind more than any single element. It has
taken us to the depths of the ocean and to the
far reaches of space. (85% of the space
shuttle’s structure is titanium.) It is placed
inside our bodies and on our sporting equipment.
It is only in the last few years that we have
begun to explore the artistic benefits of this
miraculous material.
Titanium is the only element that offers the
unique combination of beauty, strength, light
weight and bio-compatibility.
Titanium now commands the highest levels of
quality for many consumer product industries;
including sporting equipment, medical,
automotive and marine, art and architecture,
giftware and, of course, jewelry. Even credit
cards now tout their ultimate achievement with a
titanium designation.
UNIQUE & EXCEPTIONAL PROPERTIES OF TITANIUM
- Highest ratio between strength and density
of all metallic materials
- Extreme mechanical and thermal loading
capacity
- Extreme tensile strength - stronger than
steel but 42% lighter
- High corrosion resistance, particularly
against oxygen
- Extremely bio-compatible because of it’s
tissue compatibility and it’s elastic
attributes
TITANIUM FACTS
What is “Titanium”?
In 1791, William Gregor of England, discovered
titanium in an impure form. It was first known
as “Manachite”. It was later given the name
“Titanium” by a German chemist, Martin Kloproth.
He derived the name titanium from the Titans of
Greek mythology, known for their extreme and
superior strength.
In 1910, pure titanium was manufactured by M.A.
Hunter, an American chemist. Hunter was able to
extract the metal from the ores and developed
the process of mixing rutile ore (TiO2) with
chlorine and coke, then applying extreme heat,
producing titanium tetrachloride (TiC14), which
was further reduced with sodium to form
titanium. The hunter process successfully
produced high quality titanium.
Dr.Wilhelm Kroll, in 1946, developed the process
currently used for producing titanium
commercially. The Kroll process reduces titanium
tetrachloride (TiC14) with magnesium. Titanium
belongs to an elite category of elements
identified as strategic metals.
It wasn’t until 1910 that titanium was able
to be separated from its compound materials. By
nature of its reactive properties, titanium
could not be processed by conventional
extraction methods. It took nearly half a
century for scientists and metallurgists to
develop a cost effective method for its
extraction and refinement. In the 1950’s
Lockheed Corporation built the SR-71 Blackbird
spy plane – out of almost entirely titanium.
Afterwards the aerospace industry began using
titanium regularly.
Titanium is an element (symbol Ti) like gold,
silver and platinum. It’s atomic number is 22,
with atomic weight of 47.9, an electron
configuration of 2-8-10-2, and a specific
gravity of 4.5. Titanium has a melting point of
3020 F (1660C) and a boiling point of 5949 F
(3287C). It is a silvery white non ferrous metal
with the highest strength to weight ratio of any
known element. For this reason titanium is the
favored material in the aerospace industry. 85%
of the structural components in the Space
Shuttle are made of titanium. The average
commercial aircraft contains over 1 ton of
titanium.
Titanium has impacted mankind more positively
and diversely than any single element in
history. It is the element that took us to the
depths of the ocean, the far reaches of the
galaxy and elevated our capacities in medicine,
industry and science.
“Few materials have as much potential
for dynamic growth during the 1990's, and
beyond, as titanium. It's on the cutting edge of
some really exciting and extraordinary
developments, many of which are in newly
emerging technologies." - Sen. John Glenn
Titanium is inert.
Titanium has been embraced by the medical world
for its superior biocompatibility, and is the
preferred material for surgical instruments and
implants. Titanium is inert and therefore
completely corrosion resistant. It does not
react to salt water, sunlight, or any body
chemistry. Titanium is 100% hypoallergenic.
Titanium is the preferred material for surgical
tools, implants, pacemaker cases and other
internal casings. It won’t react with any part
of the body, making it a great choice for even
those persons most sensitive to other materials.
When a person has an allergic reaction when
wearing a pair of gold or silver earrings due to
the alloys, it is recommended that they switch
over to titanium earrings. And unlike silver,
titanium will never tarnish!
Titanium is extremely durable and
strong.
Titanium is more resistant and has the highest
strength to weight ratio of ANY known element,
which is why 85% of the Space Shuttles structure
is titanium. In fact that is why many titanium
ring manufacturers have a lifetime warranty. In
jewelry applications, titanium’s strength allows
for design capabilities that were otherwise
impossible. For example, tension set rings made
with titanium provides maximum security for the
stone. Softer materials such as gold, silver and
platinum cannot make this claim! In fact, even
the softest forms of titanium start with over
30,000 psi tension, much more than platinum.
Titanium can be worn throughout active and
demanding lifestyles without concern for the
excessive wear and tear that would be exhibited
by gold and platinum.
Titanium is lightweight.
Only slightly heavier than aluminum with the
strength of steel. Today, “light’ is the quality
standard in all fields. With jewelry, titanium’s
light weight translates into comfort. Platinum,
gold and silver must sacrifice style and
function to reduce weight and costs.
Titanium is proven.
Titanium is the fastest growing category in
jewelry history. Without exception, titanium has
dominated each and every market arena it has
entered. From sports products like bicycles,
tennis rackets, and golf clubs, to marine
hardware, computer cases and jewelry, titanium
symbolizes the new standard for excellence. Even
the term “titanium” has come to represent the
highest standard of excellence and quality. (For
example: titanium credit cards.)
Titanium is pure.
The World Titanium Council endorses Spectore’s
grey titanium which is 99+% commercially pure.
No other conventional material can boast this
claim. 14kt gold is 58% pure and platinum is
generally 90% pure. For those who wish to wear a
pure metal, titanium is the logical choice.
Titanium is a noble element.
Titanium is the first new element to enter the
noble metals arena of platinum and gold in over
3,000 years.
Titanium is leading edge.
The technology used in working with titanium has
significantly and positively impacted
manufacturing methods throughout the entire
jewelry industry. Titanium is the perfect
marriage of art and science.
Titanium is virtuous.
Many say that had titanium been discovered
before platinum and gold, it would be the
leading jewelry material today.
Titanium is fashionable.
Titanium provides the stylish rich grey tones of
platinum at a much more attractive price. Many
designers such as Edward Mirell are designing
fashion forward cutting edges styles for
titanium jewelry. Titanium is at the forefront
in the designer jewelry community. No other
metal has experienced such a dramatic rise in
popularity as titanium.
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