The Cold War period was a time when nations such as the US and the USSR were scrambling for arms and weapons. Both these nations were stock-pilling an element called titanium, because they found it extremely useful for military and defence equipment. The strategic importance of the metal made it a much sought after substance.
The element is named after the ‘Titans’ of Greek mythology. Titans, the mythical divine sons of the sky god Uranus and the Earth goddess Gaia, were strong and powerful rulers. Titanium is stronger than steel, but much lighter. So, it is widely used for making aircraft engines, ships, and artificial joints. Using titanium plates for supporting fractured bones is prevalent today.
It was named by Martin Heinrich Klaproth, a German chemist, although the element was discovered by William Gregor, a British mineralogist, in 1791. Titanium is present in many minerals. It is generally found in rocks, and most bodies of water. The most common compound of titanium is titanium dioxide. Titanium is found in all living beings too.
Titanium makes up less than one percent of the Earth’s crust. It is also the ninth most abundant metal on the Earth’s crust. Its atomic number is 22, and the symbol is Ti.
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