Titanium (Ti) is an element found in Group 4 and Period 4 of the periodic table. The atomic number of titanium is 22. Titanium is the ninth most abundant element on Earth's surface and the fourth most common metallic element. Titanium is not found alone in nature; rather, it must be extracted from titanium dioxide or titanium iron oxide. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is commonly found in rutile and titanium iron oxide (FeTiO3) is commonly found in ilmenite. Rutile and ilmenite are found mainly on continental coasts. The discovery and isolation of titanium was a long process. Initially, an amateur geologist named Reverend William Gregor discovered the metallic element on the beaches of Cornwall, England in 1790. He named this metal manaccanite. Gregor found macaccanite in black sand. The black sand is known today as ilmenite. In 1795, titanium got its name from the discovery by Martin Heinrich Klaproth, a German chemist, of a dioxide of the same metal in rutile. Klaproth named titanium after the Titans who were the Greek gods with enormous strength. In 1797, Klaproth realized that manaccanite and titanium were the same element. Gregor got credit for the initial discovery of the element, but Klaproth's name "Titanium" was adopted by scientists. It took over a hundred years for MA Hunter, an American chemist, to develop a process known as the Hunter process to extract titanium from ore in 1910. Later, Dr. William Kroll developed the Kroll process in 1930. The Kroll process was able to extract larger quantities using vacuum distillation. Titanium is a shiny dark gray metal that is in a solid state at room temperature. Titanium has 26 known isotopes that have atomic masses from 38 to 63. Isotopes with atomic mass...... middle of paper ...... and are used in common products due to their hardness. K2TiF6 is used to produce resin bonded grinding wheels. K2TiF6 is also used in the formation of dental impressions. Titanium carbide (TiC) is a titanium compound used for its hardness. TiC is used to produce cutting tools. The strength of titanium allows it to be used for cutting and engraving other metals that are less hard than titanium. Titanium nitride (TiN) is a titanium compound used for its color. TiN is used in jewelry and as a finish on glass because it is a vibrant yellow color. TiN's finish resists wear and tear and is even used on work tools to protect them. Titanium hydride (TiH2) is a titanium compound used for its strength. TiH2 can be used as a foaming agent for aluminum foam. It can also be used as a component in thermal spraying, coating materials and in different ceramics..