The uses for titanium in industry are growing faster than ever before as more and more engineers are discovering it can reduce lifecycle costs across a broad range of equipment and processes. Titanium has an exceptionally high strength to weight ratio. Titanium's density is approximately half that of ferrous and nickel based metals. In other words, about half as much titanium is required to do the same job. Based on strength and weight, titanium will go twice as far and last virtually forever. Furthermore, titanium offers extreme corrosion resistance. Any remaining higher up-front costs are almost always recouped in multiple due to reduced maintenance and replacement costs.
Titanium forms a very tenacious surface oxide layer, which is an outstanding corrosion inhibitor. In many harsh environments it can outlast competing materials as much as 5:1. Lower failure rates translate to less downtime, reduced maintenance and total lower cost. As a result, titanium has found a home in numerous industries ranging from power generation to chemical processing to desalination plants. Titanium alloys are used in dozens of other industrial purposes, such as flue gas desulphurization for pollution control, PTA (purified terephthalic acid) plants for polyester production, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and hydrometallurgical autoclaves. Each grade offers different benefits, emphasizing strength for different pressures, alloy content for different corrosive agents and ductility for different fabrication requirements.
With its ever emerging uses, titanium is clearly the ideal metal for the industrial future. Titanium's qualities will allow products and structures to endure for generations to come.
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