| Group | 4 | Melting point | 1670 oC, 3038 oF, 1943.15 K |
| Period | 4 | Boiling point | 3287 oC, 5948.6 oF, 3560.15 K |
| Block | d | Density (kg m-3) | 4508 |
| Atomic number | 22 | Relative atomic mass | 47.867 |
| State at room temperature | Solid | Key isotopes | 48Ti |
| Electron configuration | [Ar] 3d24s2 | CAS number | 7440-32-6 |
| ChemSpider ID | 22402 | ChemSpider is a free chemical structure database | |
Image explanation
The symbol is representative of the Titans of Greek mythology after which the element is named and based on early votive offering figurines.
Appearance
A hard, lustrous metal that is as strong as steel but much less dense. It is used to make lightweight alloys for aircraft, replacement hip joints and chemical plants. Titanium dioxide is more important commercially because of this beautiful white material's excellent covering power in paints.
Uses
Titanium is as strong as steel but much less dense. It is therefore important as an alloying agent with many metals including aluminium, molybdenum and iron. These alloys are principally used in aircraft and missiles as they are materials which have low density yet can withstand extremes of temperature. Titanium also has potential use in desalination plants which convert sea water to fresh water. The metal has excellent resistance to sea water, and so is used to protect the hulls of ships, and other structures exposed to sea water. However, the largest use of titanium is in the form of titanium(IV) oxide, which is extensively used in both house paint and artists’ paint. Titanium dioxide is more important commercially because of this beautiful white material's excellent covering power in paints. Also it is a good reflector of infrared radiation and so is used in solar observatories where heat causes poor visibility.
Biological role
Titanium has no known biological role, and is non-toxic. It can have a stimulatory effect, and is a suspected carcinogen.
Natural abundance
Titanium is the ninth most abundant element on Earth. It is almost always present in igneous rocks and the sediments derived from them. It occurs in the minerals rutile, ilmenite, and sphene, and is present in titanates and many iron ores. Titanium is produced commercially by reducing titanium(IV) chloride with magnesium. Titanium(IV) oxide is produced commercially by either the Sulfate Process or the Chloride Process, both of which prepare titanium oxide from the mineral ilmenite.
| Atomic radius, non-bonded (Å) | 2.110 | Covalent radius (Å) | 1.48 |
| Electron affinity (kJ mol-1) | 7.62 |
Electronegativity (Pauling scale) |
1.540 |
|
Ionisation energies (kJ mol-1) |
1st
658.811
2nd
1309.836
3rd
2652.544
4th
4174.647
5th
9580.986
6th
11532.883
7th
13585.124
8th
16441.088
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| Common oxidation states | 4, 3 | ||||
| Isotopes | Isotope | Atomic mass | Natural abundance (%) | Half life | Mode of decay |
| 46Ti | 45.953 | 8.25 | - | - | |
| 47Ti | 46.952 | 7.44 | - | - | |
| 48Ti | 47.948 | 73.72 | - | - | |
| 49Ti | 48.948 | 5.41 | - | - | |
| 50Ti | 49.945 | 5.18 | - | - | |
|
Molar heat capacity (J mol-1 K-1) |
25.06 | Young's modulus (GPa) | 115.7 | |||||||||||
| Shear modulus (GPa) | 43.8 | Bulk modulus (GPa) | Unknown | |||||||||||
| Vapour pressure | ||||||||||||||
| Temperature (K) |
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| Pressure (Pa) |
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Images: Visual Elements © Murray Robertson 2011
Mining and Sourcing data: British Geological Survey – natural environment research council.
Text: John Emsley Nature’s Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements, Oxford University Press, 2nd Edition, 2011.
Data: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, CRC Press, 92nd Edition, 2011.
G. W. C. Kaye and T. H. Laby Tables of Physical and Chemical Constants, Longman, 16th Edition, 1995.
Members of the RSC can access these books through our library.
Mining and Sourcing data: British Geological Survey – natural environment research council.
Text: John Emsley Nature’s Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements, Oxford University Press, 2nd Edition, 2011.
Data: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, CRC Press, 92nd Edition, 2011.
G. W. C. Kaye and T. H. Laby Tables of Physical and Chemical Constants, Longman, 16th Edition, 1995.
Members of the RSC can access these books through our library.
