Titanium, the ninth most abundant element, is used principally as an oxide in paint filler for its high refractory index and as a metal in aerospace and industrial applications for its high strength‐to‐density ratio and excellent corrosion resistance. This article covers the locations and reserves of principal ore bodies and their conversion by sulfate or chloride refining processes to high purity oxides for the pigment industry, and the conversion of the intermediate chloride by magnesium or sodium reduction to metallic sponge for the metal industry.
The principal metal melting processes to produce ingots from sponge are reviewed, along with the metalworking processes for converting ingots to mill products. The influence of alloying elements on properties and microstructure is discussed, along with the mechanical properties and characteristics of the principal alloys used in aerospace and industrial applications. Methods and procedures related to the fabrication of metal components into useful application components are covered. The primary uses of both the oxide and the metal are summarized, along with the economics associated with the production of the metal and oxide.