Search USGS⌕ Search
Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70045835

Mineral of the month: titanium

Joseph Gambogi
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

From paint to airplanes, titanium is important in a number of applications. Commercial production comes from titanium-bearing ilmenite, rutile and leucoxene (altered ilmenite). These minerals are used to produce titanium dioxide pigment, as well as an assortment of metal and chemical products.

Explore related subjects

GeotimesArticle

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Joseph Gambogi. 2004. Mineral of the month: titanium. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70045835

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2008

Mineral resource of the month: vermiculite

Vermiculite, a hydrated magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate mineral, has a range of uses that take advantage of its fire resistance, good insulating properties, high liquid absorption capacity, inertness and low density. Most applications for vermiculite use an exfoliated (heat-expanded) form of the mineral. In general, coarser grades of vermiculite are used as loose fill insulation and in horticulture. Finer grades are used in wallboard and plasters and for animal feeds and fertilizers.

Geotimes↗
USGS2008

Mineral resource of the month: mica

Humans have been using mica for millennia. Mica was first mined in India about 4,000 years ago, where it was used primarily in medicines, and some Hindu physicians still incorporate biotite mica into medicines today. Early civilizations also used mica for decorations, as windows and as surfaces on which to draw or paint. Maya temples were decorated with mica pigments, which were incorporated into the stucco to make it sparkle in the sun. In North America, ancient inhabitants adorned gravesites and burial mounds with animal figures made of mica.

Geotimes↗