Titanium has always been a leading metal in fields such as jewelry, eyeglasses and engineering, but today, its use has expanded to an array of industries, owing in no small part to the fact that it is a 100% recyclable material that ‘cleans itself’ (making it useful for environments that need to be sterile as well as for building construction). Titanium has been used heavily in the auto industry for decades. If you were curious as to how it makes your car sturdier, longer-lasting and more efficient, take note of just a few of its most important and revolutionary uses.
Titanium In Car Parts
Because titanium is self-cleaning and corrosion resistant, it has the ability to extend the life of car parts, making it an attractive component of everything from turbochargers to connecting rods, springs and engine valves. Because it has a very high resistance, it is commonly used in car parts exposed to very high temperatures. Other metals (such as aluminum) are unusable in these parts because they have a lower melting point. Titanium is also the top choice for parts such as rods used in exhaust systems, since it improves fuel burn efficiency and extends the life of these systems. Titanium is made in a host of different grades depending on its use. Usually, Grade 5 titanium is the top choice for car components, because it is exceptionally strong (much more so than commercially pure titanium), yet it boasts the same sturdiness and thermal properties. Grade 5 titanium components can withstand temperatures of close to 800ºF and resist a plethora of environments (including salt water).
Titanium In Car Frames
Because titanium is tough yet light, it is a good choice for car body frames. Italian design firm, Icona, recently designed a hypercar with a titanium body and carbon fiber seats. The vehicle, called the Vulcano Titanium, is a one-off creation that took thousand hours of handcrafted work. Titanium is not generally used in car bodies because of its high price. However, new titanium production processes will help reduce its price over time. The same can be said of carbon fiber, which can now be recycled, bringing its cost down to 10% of its original price.
Currently, titanium is used in a wide array of auto car parts – including exhaust systems and turbochargers. Its strength, heat resistance, and self-cleaning properties make it an ideal material for machines that need to last for several years or a lifetime. Newer applications of titanium in the vehicle industry include its use in car frames. Titanium is recyclable, and therefore an excellent choice for car bodies, though new processes must be developed to reduce its price in upcoming years.
