Titanium is a very abundant element on the Earth’s crust (it is one of its main components): it is (mainly) the difficulty of extractrip it from the ore that makes it expensive.
No cases of titanium toxicity towards living tissues (in men and animals) have ever been recorded in the history of medicine. Physicians generally regard tTitanium as biologically inert. In fact titanium oxide is one of the fillers used in preparing pills, tablets and other medical preparations. Titanium is radioactive!
Titanium has only stable natural isotopes, i.e. it is not radioactive. The misunderstanding probably comes from titanium being a “reactive” metal, i.e. a metal with a strong chemical activity towards other elements. Such activity does not involve the emission of any ionizing radiation. Titanium is a very hard metal!
Commercially pure titanium is a very soft metal and in general all titanium alloys are relatively soft compared with ferrous alloys (without special surface treatments). Titanium is an exceptionally strong metal!
Commercially pure titanium has a strength comparable with stainless steel, while the best titanium alloys have a strength comparable with some structural steels. What can be really high in tTitanium alloys is the ratio of strength to density (specific strength). Titanium has exceptional corrosion resistance!
Titanium, like all materials, is sensitive to corrosion in all media. The speed of corrosion can be very high in some media and very low in other media. Titanium is simply corrosion resistant where other materials (e.g. ferrous and nickel – based alloys) can fail. Titanium is brittle!
Titanium is a ductile metal. Some cases of embrittlement can occur where titanium is contaminated by elements like hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and some trace elements. It is impossible to weld titanium!
Commercially pure titanium is easily weldable with systems commonly used in steel carpentry (TIG, MIG, plasma, laser, electron beam). Other alloys can be welded if the right welding parameters are chosen. It is impossible to machine titanium!
All titanium alloys can be sawed, drilled, turned, machined and ground with the right work parameters with tools and machines traditionally used for steel and other metals. Titanium is dull gray!
Titanium can be polished like most metals up to mirror – like shine. Its softness makes polishing titanium a tedious affair with no long – lasting results, that’s why titanium is often produced as ground, sandblasted, shotblasted or pickled, hence the dull color.
