USGS Fact Sheet 2013–3059: Titanium--Light, strong, and white

Titanium—Light, Strong, and White

By Laurel Woodruff and George Bedinger

Abstract

Titanium (Ti) is a strong silver-gray metal that is highly resistant to corrosion and is chemically inert. It is as strong as steel but 45 percent lighter, and it is twice as strong as aluminum but only 60 percent heavier. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has a very high refractive index, which means that it has high light-scattering ability. As a result, TiO₂ imparts whiteness, opacity, and brightness to many products. Because of the unique physical properties of titanium metal and the whiteness provided by TiO₂, titanium is now used widely in modern industrial societies.

First posted September 10, 2013

Fact Sheet PDF (1.12 MB)

For additional information contact:
Mineral Resources Program Coordinator
U.S. Geological Survey
913 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
Email: minerals@usgs.gov
http://minerals.usgs.gov

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Suggested citation:

Woodruff, Laurel, and Bedinger, George, 2013, Titanium—Light, strong, and white: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2013–3059, 2 p., https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2013/3059/.