Modern industrial history is not only the development of technology, but also the discovery of key metals, which became the basis for the creation of strong, stable and high-temperature alloys. Chromium, molybdenum, titanium and aluminum are four metals without which it is impossible to imagine aviation, energy, medicine and heavy engineering. Their discovery, development and application were steps towards the creation of lightweight, corrosion- and heat-resistant materials that form the basis of advanced technologies of the 21st century.
The history of chromium goes back to ancient times, when people began to use natural compounds of this metal. One of the first mentions is the use of red chromium lead (a mineral compound of chromium) as a pigment for coloring ceramics and fabrics. This mineral, also known as lead crocus, gave the pieces a bright and long-lasting red color.
In the Middle Ages, chromium compounds were used in the glass industry to give glass a green color. In the 19th century, chromium began to be used not only in the production of dyes and pigments, but also in metallurgy, and in the 20th century it began to be used to create stainless steel and galvanic coatings.
In 1797, the French chemist Nicolas Louis Vauquelin isolated a new oxide from the mineral crocoite, which, when heated, emitted a characteristic odor of chlorine. Vauquelin suggested that the oxide contained a new element. Because of the variety of colors that compounds of this element produced, he named it chromium (from the Greek χρῶμα meaning "color").
Chromium was originally produced by reducing the oxide with carbon or aluminum—methods that were expensive and ineffective. In 1854, Russian chemist Karl Klaus proposed the method of electrolysis, which made the metal available for industrial use. In the 1920s, the chrome plating process was developed - applying a protective coating to products made of gland.
Chromium is a transition metal with atomic number 24 and atomic mass 52.00 amu. It has high hardness and excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion and sulfuric and nitric acids. In its pure form it is plastic, but in technical applications it is processed at a temperature of 200–250°C.
Main Applications:
Approximately 95% of all mined chromium is consumed in the production of stainless steels. These materials are widely used in the production of automobiles, industrial and household equipment, space satellites and military equipment.
Interesting fact: The Hubble telescope mirror is coated with chromium because this metal has ideal reflective properties.
Molybdenum is a refractory metal with a melting point of about 2620°C. It does not change its properties under the influence of radiation, has high specific strength at temperatures up to 1370°C and is resistant to corrosion even in aggressive environments: sea water, acids.
The name comes from the Greek word μόλυβδος, meaning "lead" (due to molybdenite's resemblance to galena, the main component of lead ore). For a long time, molybdenum ore was used without knowledge of its chemical nature to make weapons, tools and jewelry.
It was only in 1778 that the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele proved that molybdenum was a separate element. The scientist conducted a series of experiments with molybdenite (the main mineral containing molybdenum) and isolated a new metal in the form of molybdenum oxide.
The first pure molybdenum was obtained independently in 1817 by the Swedish chemist Peter Jakob Hisinger and the German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth using the method of reducing molybdenum oxide with hydrogen. But only in the 20th century did this chemical element begin to be used as an alloying additive in the production of heat-resistant alloys and high-strength steels for the construction of skyscrapers, ships and even water supply systems.
Interesting fact: Molybdenum is used to make rocket nozzles, which remain highly durable at temperatures up to 1350°C.
After molybdenum was obtained in its pure form, research began on its properties. Mo has been found to be a refractory metal with high strength and hardness. It also has good corrosion and heat resistance. These properties have made molybdenum a valuable material for various industries.
Applications:
Today, about 70% of molybdenum is used in heat-resistant alloys and steels, used in structures operating under extreme conditions.
Titanium has been called the “space age metal.” It is lightweight, durable, corrosion-resistant and biocompatible, making it an ideal material for medical and aerospace applications.
Interesting fact: the modern F-22 Raptor fighter consists of 40% titanium alloys.
In 1791, English chemist and mineralogist William Gregor discovered a new mineral (later called ilmenite) that contained an unknown element on the banks of a river in Cornwall. Gregor analyzed it and found that it contained an oxide of an unknown metal.
Independently of Gregor, in 1795 the German chemist Martin Klaproth also discovered a new element while studying the mineral rutile. Klaproth isolated a previously unknown oxide from the mineral and suggested that it was a previously unknown metal. The scientist named it "titan" in honor of the Titans, powerful creatures from Greek mythology, the children of Uranus and Gaia.
Despite the discovery of titanium minerals, titanium itself as a separate element was isolated much later.
The chemical reactivity of titanium has complicated the process of obtaining purified material. Therefore, scientists were able to begin research into pure metal only at the beginning of the 20th century.
Due to their high resistance to light and heat, titanium minerals have long been used as dyes and pigments. They had no other industrial application until, in 1940, Luxembourger Wilhelm Kroll patented a simple magnesium-thermal method for producing titanium metal from tetrachloride. The Kroll process remains the main industrial method for producing titanium today.
Areas of application:
Thanks to its unique properties, titanium has become one of the most important industrial materials and remains indispensable in high-tech sectors of modern industry.
Titanium is one of the lightest metals: its strength is close to that of steel, but it is twice as light.
Main properties:
The key quality of titanium is its weight to strength ratio. The use of Ti has made aircraft lighter, faster and stronger, while also allowing critical components to maintain their performance under the most extreme conditions.
Although minerals containing aluminum were known as far back as Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece, the chemical element itself was not discovered until 1825. For a long time, aluminum was considered a precious metal: in the 19th century it was almost as valuable as gold.
Interesting fact: The top of the Washington Monument in the United States, erected in 1884, was made of aluminum, one of the most expensive metals of its time.
Aluminum in its pure form was first obtained by the English scientist Sir Humphry Davy in 1808. However, this process was too expensive and complex for practical use.
Technological developments have made it possible to improve aluminum production methods:
Today, aluminum's uses span a wide range of applications, from cookware to aerospace.
Aluminum is a light and ductile metal. Due to the formation of an oxide film upon contact with air, it is resistant to corrosion. Has high reflectivity. It is easy to process and is a good conductor of electricity.
Applications:
Aluminum is one of the most common metals in the world. Therefore, it has a significant impact on the economies of many countries: its extraction and production creates jobs and contributes to industrial development.
Alloys containing chromium, titanium, molybdenum and aluminum provide balanced characteristics and are ideal for applications that require high reliability and durability - from rocket science to electronics.
The most popular materials and their key properties:
PZPS offers full range alloys and steels with different contents of alloying elements. From us you can not only purchase finished products, but also order production services, and also seek a solution to your technological problem at research center.
