Titanium, which was named after the Greek god Titanes, has a lustrous white color when purified. The metal has a low density, good strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and it is easily fabricated. It is present in meteorites and the sun and is the only element that burns in nitrogen. The Rev. W. Gregor discovered it in 1789 while examining the mineral ilmenite. It was not until 1895 that it was partially purified by H. Moissan.
Titanium dioxide is used in paints, varnishes, and lacquers.
World titanium sponge production capacity inched up in 1998 to 240.7 million pounds from 232.3 million pounds in 1997, according to the International Titanium Association. Likewise, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, world titanium sponge production increased during the year to 52,000 tonnes from 51,000 tonnes a year earlier. Ore. While titanium ingot was produced by these two companies, at least six additional companies exist. Industry stocks of sponge in the fourth quarter of 1998 were up 33.5 percent to 10,600 tonnes from 7,050 tonnes at the end of 1997. Overall, U.S. titanium mill product shipments slowed from 62 million pounds in 1997 to 57 million pounds in 1998.