TITANIUM

Titanium is the element with atomic number 22 and atomic weight 47.90. Although stable can be obtained in different ways, in most cases the stability achieved by getting rid of three-or-more frequently four electrons. It is, as in the case of scandium, of a transition metal.

 Titanium is very abundant on Earth, being the ninth most abundant element in the Earth's crust is about 0.63% of its mass. However, unlike other less common metals it is not found in nature in pure form, but as part of many rocks in different proportions.

 Titanium dioxide, TiO2, is commonly found in a black or brown known as rutile. Natural forms that are less in nature are the anatasita and brooquita. Both pure rutile as anatasita are white. The basic oxide black, FeTiO3, are found naturally as the mineral ilmenite, it is the primary commercial source of titanium.

 Titanium dioxide is widely used as a white pigment in paints exterior for being chemically inert, for its great covering power, opacity to damage from UV light and self-cleaning ability. Dioxide has also been used as a bleaching agent in and opaque porcelain enamels, giving a high gloss finish, hardness and acid resistance.

 Today global annual lproducción titanium is more than four million tons, although most of it (95%) is used in the form of titanium dioxide, TiO2. But titanium current fame is mainly due to its properties in alloys in the aerospace industry, for example. Of titanium metal used each year, almost two thirds are used to build aircraft, helicopters, rockets and missiles, either as part of some steel or alloyed with aluminum, vanadium and other metals.

 As regards the negative effects on health, elemental titanium and titanium dioxide having a low level of toxicity. Laboratory animals (rats) exposed to titanium dioxide inhalation developed by small localized areas of dark powder deposited in the lungs. Excessive exposure in humans can result in slight changes in the lungs.