Introduction
Titanium has become a popular metal in recent years due to its strength, light weight, ability to withstand high temperatures, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. This diverse metal is found in nature and is also produced through man-made processes such as the Kroll Method. This method uses reduction and purification of precursor materials such as ilmenite, rutile and iron. Production through the Kroll Method is the most common method for the extraction of titanium and is widely accepted as the best method for producing high-quality titanium.
History
Titanium has been known and mined for centuries, but was first documented by William Gregor in 1791. In the early 20th century, metallurgists began to understand the unique characteristics of titanium and, as a result, interest in its potential increased. In the 1950s, British metallurgists perfected the Kroll Method and it is now the standard for titanium extraction. As the cost of production decreased and demand increased, the use of titanium grew exponentially. Today, it is used in a wide range of applications and continues to gain popularity all over the world.
Mining
Titanium is usually extracted from its ores, which can be found all over the world. These ores contain between three to five percent titanium in the form of various compounds. Ores are mined and then separated into individual components. After being cleaned and processed, they are combined into concentrated titanium dioxide, which is then shipped to factories or processing facilities.
Kroll Method
The Kroll Process is the most widely used method for titanium extraction. This method consists of three stages: reduction, chemical conversion and purification. In the reduction stage, titanium oxide compounds are reduced by heating the compounds to very high temperatures. The chemical conversion stage involves introducing further chemicals to separate useful elements from those that are not. Finally, in the purification stage, a variety of processes are used to further purify titanium and remove impurities.
Uses
Titanium is used extensively in modern applications due to its unique characteristics. These include aerospace and transportation, chemical production, medical and dental applications, sporting equipment and jewelry. For example, titanium is commonly used in airplanes, golf clubs and surgical equipment due to its light weight and strength. Furthermore, its corrosion resistance and biocompatibility make it suitable for use in implants, such as hip and knee replacements.
Conclusion
Titanium has become a popular metal due to its diverse properties and ability to increase the performance of many products. It is extracted through the Kroll Process from its ores, and is used extensively in transportation, medical and sporting applications due to its unique characteristics. In the future, titanium is likely to remain in high demand as the uses for this diverse metal continue to grow.
