Properties | More Info | Isotopes | Spectra
Compounds | Reactions | Production
Atomic: M.A.C. | Reference
Images | Video
Titanium Compounds
   Titanium boride
   Titanium carbide
   Titanium dioxide
   Titanium nitride
Titanium boride TiB2
An extremely hard ceramic material with excellent corrosion resistance at high temperatures and very good wear resistance which does not occur naturally in earth. Many TiB2 applications are inhibited by economic factors, particularly the costs of densifying a high melting point material. Current use of this material appears to be limited to specialized applications in such areas as impact resistant armour, cutting tools, crucibles and wear resistant coatings.
Titanium carbide TiC
An extremely hard refractory ceramic material, similar to tungsten carbide. It is commercially used in tool bits cutting tools. It is mainly used in preparation of cermets, which are frequently used to machine steel materials at high cutting speed.
Tool bits without tungsten content can be made of titanium carbide in nickel-cobalt matrix cermet, enhancing the cutting speed and precision and smoothness of the workpiece. This material is sometimes called high-tech ceramics and is used as a heat shield for atmospheric re-entry of space shuttles and similar vehicles. The substance may be also polished and used in scratch-proof watches.
Titanium dioxide TiO2
Titanium dioxide is the most widely used white pigment because of its brightness and very high refractive index, in which it is surpassed only by a few other materials. When deposited as a thin film, its refractive index and colour make it an excellent reflective optical coating for dielectric mirrors. TiO2 is also an effective opacifier in powder form, where it is employed as a pigment to provide whiteness and opacity to products such as paints, coatings, plastics, papers, inks, foods, and most toothpastes. In cosmetic and skin care products, titanium dioxide is used both as a pigment and a thickener, and in almost every sunblock with a physical blocker, titanium dioxide is found both because of its refractive index and its resistance to discolouration under ultraviolet light. This advantage enhances its stability and ability to protect the skin from ultraviolet light. Titanium dioxide is used as a white food dye. In that use, its E number is E171.
Titanium nitride TiN
An extremely hard ceramic material, often used as a coating on titanium alloy, steel, carbide, and aluminium components to improve the substrate's surface properties. Far and away the most common use for TiN coating is for edge retention and corrosion resistance on machine tooling, such as drill bits and milling cutters, often improving their lifetime by a factor of three or more.
Because of its metallic gold colour, it is used to coat costume jewellery and automotive trim for decorative purposes. TiN is also widely used as a top-layer coating, usually with nickel or chromium plated substrates, on consumer plumbing fixtures and door hardware.