Titanium uses and applications

The titanium industry chain can be divided into the following four parts:

1 Primary beneficiation of titanium ore, rutile, etc., and obtaining higher-grade concentrates by physical methods.

2 High-purity titanium dioxide is prepared through the processing and purification of concentrates and used in the titanium dioxide industry.

Titanium tetraoxide produces titanium trichloride by means of oxidation, reduction and other processes to produce titanium sponge

4. Casting titanium sponge to obtain dense crystal structure of titanium ingots, used in the production of titanium and titanium alloys.

Titanium Sponge

Titanium Sponge

Titanium sponge refers to the reduction of titanium tetrachloride with magnesium or sodium to obtain titanium sponge with a purity of 98.5%-99.7%. It is the most important raw material in the production of titanium industry. Titanium sponge is titanium metal production process of primary products, need to get titanium ingot after further casting that industrial pure titanium, and can be processed into the corresponding titanium or titanium alloy.

Preparation of titanium sponge: mainly magnesium thermal reduction method (Kroll method), sodium reduction method (Hunt method) and molten salt electrolysis. The advantage of magnesium reduction method is that magnesium can be recycled. In comparison, the product quality is better and the metal impurity content is lower, but the production capacity of single furnace is smaller and the sodium consumption is larger. And molten salt electrolysis is still in the semi-industrial experimental stage.

Titanium dioxide and its application

Titanium dioxide

Titanium dioxide, scientifically known as titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a very stable oxide with excellent optical and pigment properties, mainly used as white inorganic pigments. It is non-toxic, has the best covering power, the best whiteness and brightness, and is regarded as a white pigment with the best performance in the world, which is widely used in the industries of coating, plastics, papermaking, printing ink, chemical fiber, rubber, cosmetics and so on.

China titanium dioxide application areas global titanium dioxide application distribution

Sulfuric acid and chlorination titanium dioxide industrial production methods: sulfuric acid production technology is mature, simple equipment, but the disadvantage is that the production process and environmental pollution is serious; chlorination technology is advanced, large production capacity, high product quality, whiteness and particle size distribution range is narrow. At the same time, chlorine can also be recycled, the disadvantage is that the requirements for raw materials are too strict, the raw material must be natural or synthetic rutile and titanium slag with TiO2 content of 90%-95%.

Sulfuric acid process for the production of titanium dioxide

Sulfuric acid production process of titanium dioxide

Production process of titanium dioxide by chlorination method

Production process of titanium dioxide by chlorination method

Titanium dioxide has three crystal types: rutile, anatase and plate. Plate titanium type can not be used as pigment in industry, the main pigments used are anatase and rutile titanium dioxide.

Rutile titanium dioxide has the advantages of high purity, fine and uniform particles, good optical properties, strong refractive power, high achromatic power, strong hiding power, low oil absorption, water dispersion, etc. It is mainly used in the industries of coating, printing ink, chemical fiber, rubber, glass, cosmetic, soap, plastics, and paper making. Rutile titanium dioxide not only has the advantages of anatase titanium dioxide, but also has better weathering and covering power, mainly used in high-grade industrial paints, glossy latex paints, plastics, high coloring power and fast requirement of rubber materials, advanced paper coating from the pigment performance, rutile titanium dioxide is superior to anatase titanium dioxide, rutile titanium dioxide in the surface of the product for coating treatment of the majority of the year 2010 in China. In 2010, the total amount of rutile titanium dioxide in China was 57%, far below the world level of 90%. In the future, the proportion of rutile titanium dioxide in China still has more room for improvement.

At present, the titanium dioxide industry is experiencing three major adjustments: (1) the world's titanium dioxide production growth is relatively slow, while the Asia-Pacific region, especially China's titanium dioxide production growth is faster, the world's titanium dioxide industry in the Asia-Pacific region, especially China's transfer of the trend is obvious; (2) with the downstream of the performance of the titanium dioxide to put forward a higher demand, the titanium dioxide coating process has become an important means of all kinds of special types of titanium dioxide, titanium dioxide industry continuously develops from general goods to ordinary products. Specialty products (3) have just been launched; titanium dioxide is divided into two types: anatase and rutile, anatase titanium dioxide still occupies a part of the market share due to its higher price, but the performance of the industry with rutile titanium dioxide as the future development trend is still excellent. In China's titanium dioxide product structure, the proportion of rutile titanium dioxide is increasing, accounting for about 57%, but still far below the proportion of 90% of the world. China's titanium dioxide product structure is actively developing in the direction of rutile titanium dioxide. In summary, China's titanium dioxide industry, especially the prospects for special rutile titanium dioxide is still optimistic.

Application of titanium and titanium alloy

Titanium is an important metal structure developed in the 1950s, titanium alloys with low density, high specific strength, good corrosion resistance, low thermal conductivity, non-toxic and non-magnetic, weldable, biocompatible, surface decoration, etc., are widely used in aviation, aerospace, chemical industry, petroleum, electric power, medical care, construction, sporting goods and other fields. Many countries in the world have recognized the importance of titanium alloy materials, have carried out research and development, and have been applied in practice.

Application fields of titanium and titanium alloy

In 2011, the proportion of global commercial aviation consumption reached 46%, the proportion of protective titanium is 9% (mainly military aviation), the proportion of titanium consumption in the aviation field is more than 50%; the proportion of industrial titanium consumption is 43%, and the proportion of titanium consumption in emerging markets is 2%.

There are obvious differences in the structure of regional demand for titanium products.

Regional titanium product demand structure there are obvious differences. In the United States and the European Union, especially the United States, the aerospace and defense industry demand for titanium products is about 50% in the aerospace and defense industry. In Japan, industrial titanium from the chemical industry dominates the demand. According to the Japan Titanium Association, aerospace accounts for only 2-3% of Japan's titanium demand. Quite similar to the situation in Japan, most of the demand for titanium products comes from the chemical and energy sectors, with aerospace accounting for only 10%. Although China has become one of the world's largest producers and consumers of titanium, much of the production has been limited to lower grades of titanium for use in frames, golf clubs, or corrosion-resistant piping for the chemical industry itself. However, in recent years, the amount of titanium used in aerospace in Asia has increased dramatically, so it is clear that the titanium market has a brighter future.

Global Titanium Consumption Structure China Titanium Consumption Structure

Aerospace

In the aerospace field, titanium is concentrated in western countries, especially the United States, 60% of titanium materials used in this field. Among Asian countries, Japan and China both invest about 10% in titanium field. However, in recent years, with the rapid development of the Asian aerospace industry, the consumption of titanium in the aerospace field will increase. Globally, the aerospace industry occupies a pivotal position in the titanium market, and historically, changes in the titanium industry have been closely related to the aerospace industry.

Economic growth adds new high demand, global titanium production reached 14.8 million tons in 2011, of which about 6.4 million tons of commercial aviation titanium, the future demand for global air transport is still huge, is expected in the next 20 years, the demand for new aircraft is about 3 million, at the same time, the new aircraft on the old aircraft titanium demand, it is expected that within 20 years the average demand for titanium in the commercial aircraft will be 40 tons / frame . It is predicted that in the next 20 years, the global demand for titanium materials for commercial aviation is about 120 million tons, with a compound annual growth rate of about 17%, and an average annual demand for titanium materials of 6 million tons, the field of civil aviation titanium materials will show rapid growth. The field of military aviation will also be a new opportunity; due to global geopolitical tensions and increased world military spending, the field of military aviation is also expected to see new demand.

Civilian Aircraft

The main uses of titanium alloy in aircraft are as follows:

(1) Reducing structural weight and improving structural efficiency: advanced tactical technology performance (such as supersonic aircraft) on the aircraft structure weight coefficient requirements are relatively low (i.e.: fuselage structural weight / ordinary aircraft take-off weight) ), and titanium alloy has a strength close to the characteristics of the strong steel but small density, instead of structural steel and high-temperature alloys, greatly reducing the weight of the structure, but also cost savings; to take the engine as an example. Statistics show that the quality of the aircraft engine is reduced by one kilogram for each kilogram, the use of the cost can be reduced by about 220-440 U.S. dollars.

(2) with the use of high-temperature parts requirements: titanium alloy has good heat resistance, such as Ti-6Al-4V for long-term work at 350 ℃, so in the plane of the high-temperature parts (such as the rear fuselage, etc.) can be a substitute for high-temperature performance does not meet the requirements of the aluminum alloy TC11 can be 500 ℃ for long-term work, in the engine pressurized parts can be a substitute for high-temperature alloys and stainless steel.

(3) to meet the requirements of matching with composite structure: in order to reduce weight and meet the stealth requirements, advanced aircraft use a large number of composite materials, titanium alloy and composite material strength and stiffness match better, you can get a good weight reduction effect. At the same time, due to the closer potential, it is not easy to produce galvanic coupling corrosion, so the corresponding parts of the structural components and fasteners are suitable for the use of titanium alloy.

(4) Meet the requirements of high corrosion resistance and long life: titanium alloy has high fatigue life and excellent corrosion resistance, which can improve the corrosion resistance and life of the structure, and meet the requirements of high reliability and long life of advanced aviation engine-life.

Military Aircraft

The development and procurement of military weapons will continue to develop in the direction of lightweight and flexible, in order to meet the combat performance requirements of fighter aircraft, in addition to the use of advanced design technology, it is also necessary to use a large number of materials with excellent performance as well as advanced technology and manufacturing technology. . A large number of titanium alloys, improve the application level of advanced titanium alloys is one of the important measures. since the 1960s, the amount of titanium used in foreign military aircraft has increased year by year, and the amount of titanium alloys in various types of advanced military fighters and bombers designed by Europe and the United States has stabilized above 20%, and the amount of titanium alloys used in new models has stabilized above 20%. Consumption accounted for a significant increase.

Automobile industry

Reducing fuel consumption and reducing harmful waste (CO2, NOX, etc.) emissions have become one of the main driving forces and directions for technological progress in the automotive industry. Research shows that lightweighting is an effective measure to save fuel and reduce pollution. With a 10% reduction in automobile mass, fuel consumption can be reduced by 8%-10%, and exhaust emissions can be reduced by 10%. In driving, the acceleration performance of the vehicle is improved, and the stability, noise and vibration of the vehicle are improved. From the consideration of collision safety, after the vehicle weight is light, the inertia is small and the braking distance is reduced.

Lightweight materials, such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium and other alternative materials, such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium, etc., is the preferred method of lightweighting. 2009 global automotive use of titanium has reached 3000 tons. Titanium in the application of automobiles has been many years of history at present the car almost all use titanium, Japan automobile with titanium has more than 600 tons, with the development of the global automobile industry, automobile with titanium is still increasing rapidly.

The advantages of using titanium are: reduce weight, reduce fuel consumption; improve power transmission efficiency, reduce noise; reduce vibration, reduce load; improve the durability of the car and environmental protection.

Medical Industry

Titanium Splice Screws Titanium has a wide range of applications in the medical field. Titanium is close to human bones, biocompatible and has no toxic side effects on the human body. Human implant is a special functional material closely related to human life and health. Compared with other metal materials, the use of titanium and titanium alloys has the following advantages: 1. light weight; low modulus of elasticity; 3. non-magnetic; 4. non-toxic; 5. corrosion resistance; 6. high strength and toughness. The use of titanium alloys in surgical implants is growing at a rate of 5-7% per year. Titanium and titanium alloy femur , hip joints, humerus, skull, knee joints, elbow joints, shoulder joints, metacarpophalangeal joints, jaws and valves heart, kidney differentiation membranes, vasodilators, splints, prostheses, tightening screws manufacturing will be transplanted into the human body hundreds of metal parts and achieved good results, and gained a high degree of evaluation in the medical community.

Chemical industry

Titanium has excellent corrosion resistance, mechanical properties and process performance, widely used in many sectors of the national economy. Especially in chemical production, titanium instead of stainless steel, nickel-based alloys and other rare metals as corrosion-resistant materials. This is very important for increasing production, improving product quality, extending the service life of equipment, reducing consumption, reducing energy consumption, reducing costs, preventing pollution, improving labor conditions, and increasing labor productivity.

Titanium has become one of the main anti-corrosion materials in chemical equipment and has established his corrosion resistance in chemical plants. Titanium as an ideal material in chemical equipment, but also more and more attention by engineers and technicians.

After years of promotion, titanium and its alloys as an excellent corrosion-resistant materials have been widely used in chemical production. The application of titanium equipment has been expanded from the original soda ash, caustic soda industry to chlorate, ammonium chloride, urea, organic synthesis, dyes, inorganic salts, pesticides, synthetic fibers, fertilizers, fine chemical industry, etc., and the types of equipment have been developed from small and single to large and diversified.

Survey results show that titanium heat exchangers accounted for 57%, titanium anodes accounted for 20%, titanium containers accounted for 16%, and others accounted for 7%. In the chemical industry with "two bases", the largest amount of titanium heat exchangers in chemical equipment.

In recent years, China's titanium material production technology has advanced rapidly, aerospace titanium, military titanium, titanium for vehicles and other very rapid growth, especially in the field of aerospace, there is a tendency to catch up with the chemical industry. . Overall, the chemical industry with titanium technology content is small, low value-added products, the proportion of chemical industry with titanium is bound to gradually decline.

Marine engineering

With the development of science and technology and the increasing depletion of land resources, human development and utilization of the ocean has been put on the agenda. Titanium has excellent seawater corrosion resistance, widely used in seawater desalination, ships, ocean thermal energy development and seabed resource extraction and other fields.

Icebreaker as early as the 1960s, China began to study the application of titanium and titanium alloys in ships and marine engineering equipment, and has done a lot of work, has basically formed a number of grades, different properties, complete specifications of titanium alloys for ships. System. Because of the characteristics of titanium and titanium alloys themselves have unique advantages in the application of ships and marine equipment, they are widely used in nuclear submarines, submersibles, atomic icebreakers, hydrofoils, hovercrafts, minesweepers and propellers, seawater, condensers, heat exchangers and so on.

In ship applications, the current use of titanium in China is very small, accounting for less than 1% of the total weight of the ship

Titanium and titanium alloy in the field of ships and marine engineering equipment has great potential for development. And in the desalination and coastal power station, due to China's current desalination and coastal power station market demand is huge, to further reduce the cost of titanium alloy and improve the stability of product quality, the application of titanium alloy market prospects will be very broad. Very wide.

Daily life

Titanium is very widely used in daily life, can be said to be everywhere, such as golf heads, bicycle frames, tennis rackets, wheelchairs, eyeglass frames and so on will be applied to titanium.

Based on the characteristics of titanium lightweight and high strength used in sports, from the earliest tennis racket, badminton racket gradually expanded to golf clubs and sports car racing. 2008 China's leisure sports consumption accounted for 13% of the total consumption of titanium, only the amount of titanium used in the golf clubs and shafts of more than 1,000 tons. Bicycle frames made of titanium are also very popular, there are nearly 50 companies producing titanium bicycles, the United States has been the largest producer and consumer of titanium bicycles. Titanium's lightweight properties are used in eyeglass frames, and titanium is also not easy to make the skin allergies, and titanium surface after anodic treatment can have a colorful effect, so it has been used in frames since the 1980s.