Metallic titanium was first isolated in impure form in 1887 and with higher purity in 1910. However, it was not until the 1950's that it began to come into use as a structural material. This was initially stimulated by aircraft applications. Although the aerospace industry still provides the major market, titanium and titanium alloys are finding increasingly widespread use in other industries due to their many desirable properties. more >>

:: tantalum

Tantalum, one of the transition elements, is a white, ductile, malleable metallic element. Tantalum was discovered in its pure form in 1820 by Baron Jons Jakob Berzelious (the Swedish chemist), who heated potassium tantalifluoride with excess potassium. Tantalum occurs mainly in the mineral tantalite and ranks about 53rd among the elements in abundance in the earth's crust. The main deposits of the tantalum occur in Australia and Scandinavia. more >>

Discovered in 1789, zirconium is found in nature as zircon, ZrSiO4, in beach sands and the beds of streams and lakes, chiefly in Australia and Florida. Zirconium reacts with the oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere to form a protective film that prevents further corrosion of the metal. It is known in industry as a tough, corrosion-resistant metal that is suitable for use in high-performance pumps, valves, and building material for jets and rockets. Its compounds have many miscellaneous applications in ceramics, catalysts, and special alloys.. more >>