ABSTRACT
Titanium is the ninth most abundant element on earth and the fourth most
abundant metal. It is more plentiful than chromium, nickel, or copper, which
are commonly employed as alloys used to resist corrosion. In spite of this,
little use was made of titanium until the commercialization of the Kroll
process about 1950 that made titanium sponge available. Although having
the advantages of being highly corrosion-resistant in oxidizing environ-
ments, a low density (4.5 g/cm
, approximately 60% that of steel), and high
tensile strength (60,000 psi), its widespread use has been somewhat limited
by its cost. However, as consumption has increased and new technologies
have been developed to reduce the high cost, usage has increased and will
probably continue to increase further. At the present time-it is competitive
with nickel-based alloys. Thinner sections, coupled with decreased
maintenance requirements and longer life expectancy in many applications,
permit titanium equipment installations to be cost-effective despite a higher
initial cost.
