How to work with Transition Metals and Alloys

There are many transition metals, with many different uses, one of which is titanium.

Titanium is the 9th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust – and can be found in many other places. Most is found in igneous rocks – with almost every single one of them containing some. However, it is also found in plants, inside the human body, in the sea and on the Moon! Satellite maps of the moon’s surface show clusters of rock rich in titanium.

Made in supernovas (collapsing stars), it is named after the Titans, the gods of the Earth in Greek mythology. Recent research says that a single supernova is able to create up to 100 times as much titanium as the mass of the Earth.

It is a really useful metal, because it is strong, and resistant to corrosion. Nuclear waste can be stored in titanium containers- which can last up to 100,000 years. Engineers use it for many things, as is not only tough, but also lightweight. Much less titanium is needed to produce a structure with the same strength as other metals. This is because it has the highest strength to weight ratio of any structural metal. In addition, it is shiny and surprisingly elastic. Many famous buildings and monuments are partly titanium. For example , the Guggenheim Museum, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

GCSE Chemists – you need to be able to know the properties and uses  of the transition metals. For help with this try our guide “How to work with the Transition Metals and Alloys”. It contains information on transition metals and what alloys are. It includes questions to try, and answers to check your understanding.