Diego Ortiz, age 13, of DeKalb, Ill., for his question:
WHERE DO WE FIND TITANIUM?
Titanium is a silver gray, lightweight metal. Its density lies between that of aluminum and stainless steel. It is found in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Malaysia, Norway and the United States. Large deposits are also found in Russia.
In the United States, the only titanium producing states are Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, New York and Virginia. Quebec is the only Canadian province where the metal is produced.
Titanium rates as the world's ninth most plentiful element. But because it is so difficult to process, the metal is very expensive.
Titanium is never found in a pure state. It normally is found in ilmenite or rutile. Sometimes it is found in iron, titaniferous magnesite or in titanite.
William Gregor of England discovered titanium in 171 and it was named by Martin Klaproth of Germany in 175. However, it was not until the 130s that a refining method adaptable to large scale production was worked out by William Droll of Luxembourg.
It was then in 148 that the DuPont Company worked out methods to produce titanium metal commercially.
Titanium resists sea air and sea water corrosion and rust as well as platinum and better than stainless steel. It is ductile, which means that it can be drawn into wire. Also, titanium has a much higher strength weight ratio than steel.
Titanium is an excellent alloying element. It unites with nearly every material except copper and aluminum. It is often used as an alloy in iron.
It is used extensively in aircraft and jet engines because it is light and strong. It can also withstand temperatures up to about 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
You'll also find titanium metal used in armor plate, propeller blades for ships, steam turbine blades, surgical instruments and tools. In addition it is used in railroad trains, trucks, buses and automobiles.
Titanium dioxide, or titanium combined with oxygen, often substitutes for white lead in paint and also is used in producing linoleum, rubber, textiles, paper, porcelain, enamel and welding rods.
The gem titania is made from crystals of titanium oxide. It is more brilliant than the diamond when it is cut and polished, although it is not quite as hard.
Titanium tetrachloride, or titanium combined with chlorine, has been used for making smoke screens. It is also used as the starting point for making the metal titanium.