Wikijunior:The Elements/Titanium

Shows the position of Titanium on the periodic chart.

Titanium's symbol on the Periodic Table

What does it look, feel, or smell like?

A titanium crystal bar.

Titanium is a silvery, light, strong metal. It is odorless. Its texture is rough as well as sharp.

How was it discovered?

Titanium was discovered at Creed, Cornwall in England by amateur geologist Reverend William Gregor in 1791, though he first named it menachite. It was discovered later by German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth who called it titanium.

Where did its name come from?

Titanium is named for the Titans of Greek mythology.

Did You Know?

• Titanium is one of the few metals that can fuse with bone.
• Titanium is the ninth most abundant element in the Earth's crust.

Where is it found?

Titanium is never found pure in nature; it is always bonded to other elements.

Titanium is also found in asteroids and on rocks from the moon.

What are its uses?

Because titanium is a light and strong metal, it has a lot of uses. It is used in aircraft, ships, racing bikes, and spacecraft. It can also be found in some computers, golf clubs, and tennis rackets. The compound titanium dioxide is colored bright white, so it used very often in paint.

Is it dangerous?

Titanium is harmless as a metal. However, if titanium is made into powder, or blowed with pure nitrogen gas, it can burn and/or explode.