Element 22 · Transition Metal
Titanium
Titanium combines strength with corrosion resistance — but UK scrap-yard volumes are too low to support a dedicated titanium grade.
Element Facts
SYMBOL
Ti
ATOMIC NO.
22
ATOMIC WEIGHT
47.87
CATEGORY
Transition Metal
PERIOD
Period 4
GROUP
Group 4
Overview
Titanium is element 22, a silvery transition metal with exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and outstanding corrosion resistance. It is the ninth most abundant element in the Earth's crust but expensive to extract due to the energy-intensive Kroll process. The metal was first isolated in 1910 (despite being identified in 1791) — the Kroll process developed in 1940 enabled commercial production.
Historical Uses
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft used titanium for over 90% of its airframe — built at the height of the Cold War, ironically with titanium sourced from Soviet Russia via shell companies.
Current Uses
Aerospace structural components (Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 wide-body airliners use 15% titanium by weight), medical implants (hip and knee replacements, dental implants — titanium's biocompatibility makes it ideal), marine hardware, chemical plant pipework handling aggressive chemicals, and high-end consumer goods (premium watches, golf clubs, bicycle frames).
Not Commercially Viable for Scrap
Why QuickStop Metals doesn’t buy Titanium:
Titanium scrap exists as a market but volumes are concentrated in aerospace facilities, medical device manufacturers, and a small number of specialist titanium recyclers. The UK general scrap market does not handle titanium effectively because the volumes are too small to justify dedicated processing equipment, and titanium scrap value depends critically on alloy identification (Ti-6Al-4V is the most valuable; commercially pure titanium and other alloys differ in price). We recommend titanium scrap goes to specialist processors such as Eli Specialty Metals or international titanium recyclers.
Price Context
Titanium scrap typically £4–10/kg depending on alloy and form, but requires specialist sorting.