Titanium

Titanium and its associated alloys and compounds offer wonderful combinations of properties that include a high specific strength, excellent resistance to corrosion and relatively high melting temperatures, and may also include biocompatibility and weldability. The range of applications for titanium based materials is equally impressive, ranging from aeroengines to heat exchangers, to biomedical implants, the storage of nuclear waste and, in the case of shape memory alloys, actuators and stents. This list is not exhaustive and, of course, titanium is also a vital alloying element in steels and other alloy systems. As one might expect, there is commensurate diversity in research relating to titanium. In this issue of Materials Science and Technology, we celebrate this diversity by featuring a range of papers dealing with titanium in different forms. Jung et al. [1] explore the potential for improving the mechanical properties of cast pure titanium through repeated thermal cycles, while Bańczerowski et al. [2] investigate grain refinement arising from deformation at elevated temperatures. Motyka et al. [3] address the relationship between plastic deformation and the decomposition of martensitic phases, while the articles of Urbina et al. [4] and Goryczka et al. [5] focus on shape memory alloys. Sotniczuk et al. [6] explore the effects of nanostructuring on the tendency for commercially pure titanium to corrode in the presence of fluoridated agents, while Szkliniarz and Szkliniarz [7] explore the feasibility of producing TiAl-based alloys using graphite crucibles. Finally, Zhang et al. [8] examine the precipitation mechanism of secondary alpha phase in a titanium matrix composite. As ever, we hope that readers will enjoy this thematic issue and that it will stimulate debate and inspire further research. References