Titanium
is a low density
metal that is strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant ( to sea-water,
aqua regia and chlorine) transition metal with a silver color. With a
high strength-to weight ratio and resistance to corrosion, Titanium
and alloys are extensively used in aerospace, marine,
refining,
desalination applications. For example in a Boeing 777 an estimated
59 tons of Titanium or Titanium based alloys are used. And for the
new Airbus 380 about 146 tons of Titanium is used of which 26 tons is
for the engines.
Due to
its high
corrosion resistance to sea water, titanium is used to make propeller
shafts, piping material, sonar structures etc in marine
applications.Titanium heat exchangers, heat chillers are used in
desalination plants. In the offshore installations, the pulp and
paper industry uses Titanium in process equipment which are exposed
to wet chlorine gas (during bleaching). Titanium is also
bio-compatible ( non-toxic and not rejected by body) which allows its
usage in surgical equipment and implants.