Here are four interesting facts about Titanium that contribute to its popularity and heft price tag.
#1. It does NOT occur naturally.
Contrary to popular belief, titanium can not be found by itself, in nature. It is actually found in other minerals such as ructile and sphene. These minerals get harvested and then the titanium is later extracted from them.
#2. 0.63% of the Earth's crust is titanium
Titanium is the 9th most abundant element in the earth's crust, but even so only 0.63% of it is our beloved TI. So it is actually quite rare in comparison to other metals. With such a small amount available, the cost and time to harvest it are much greater than other metals.
#3. Pure titanium is 2x as strong as aluminum
While grade 5 Titanium, beta Ti and others are incredibly strong. Pure Titanium is roughly twice as strong as aluminum. Which depending on how you look at it, may not seem very strong. But it is actually still quite durable. Grade 5 by comparison is stronger than most steels.
#4. It is naturally corrosion resistant
When titanium is anodized it is actually a layer of oxidation that is being manipulated. This same layer causes extreme corrosion resistance. When titanium is exposed to air, it develops an oxide layer almost immediately. This layer helps fend off any corrosion that might otherwise occur.
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