Titanium

Titanium (pronounced /taɪˈteɪniəm/) is a metallic chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It is a light, strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant (including to sea water and chlorine) transition metal with a grayish color. Titanium was discovered in England by William Gregor in 1791 and named by Martin Heinrich Klaproth for the Titans of Greek mythology. Light, durable and corrosion resistant to chemical degredation, Titanium has numerous applications.

The planet Reach had plentiful deposits of titanium, which were the original reason for its colonization. With numerous titanium mines, Reach was the largest non-automated exporter of titanium in human-controlled space by 2535.

Applications
By the 20th Century; Titanium's vast majority of it's industrial uses consist of useful oxides in the manufacture of paints, plastics, pigments... As Humanity became an interstellar civilization, its use as metal/alloy skyrocketed. Titanium is used in applications where high strength/reduced weight, corrosion resistance or non-magnetic applications are in order. Titanium can be alloyed with iron, aluminium, vanadium, molybdenum, among other elements, to produce strong lightweight alloys for aerospace (jet engines, missiles, and spacecraft), military, industrial process (chemicals and petro-chemicals, desalination plants, pulp and paper), automotive, agri-food, medical (prostheses, orthopaedic implants, dental implants), sporting goods, jewelry, and other applications.

Titanium has since Earths 20th Century; many military applications, particularly as a form of armor. Titanium is a major component in the UNSC's Titanium-A armor, a form of titanium that has been specifically strengthened on a molecular level. Titanium is used in the construction of the M12 Warthog FAV and its variants. The M808 Scorpion main battle tank is outfitted with thick ceramic-titanium armor plating that is incredibly resilient to damage. ODST armor and Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pod both incorporate titanium as a form of armor. Non-reflective titanium carbide coating is used on the standard UNSC combat knife. Titanium is used to create strong physical restraints, such as wristlets and chains. Titanium is also used in products such as fire extinguishers, plybars, and protective blast doors. Some artificial limbs use titanium in the joints of the fingers.

Titanium is commonly used as a strong form of structural support. Six beveled titanium spars were used as support on the Tiara orbiting Harvest. The ceiling of Mack's data center on Harvest was braced with titanium beams. Kurt Ambrose's residence in Camp Currahee on Onyx was reinforced by titanium girders. Titanium supports were also used in the interior of s. In preparation for Operation: FIRST STRIKE, the Spartan-IIs reinforced the hull of a with titanium plates in order to allow the dropship to withstand the stresses of a slipspace exit.