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 the Earth's surface and the fourth most common metallic element. Titanium isn't just found in nature; rather it must be extracted from titanium dioxide or titanium iron oxide. Titanium dioxide (Ti02) is commonly found in rutile, and titanium iron oxide (FeTiO3) is commonly found in ilmenite. Rutile and ilmenite are found predominantly on continental coasts. The discovery and isolation of titanium has been a long process. Initially, an amateur geologist named Reverend William Gregor discovered the metallic element on the beaches of Cornwall, England in 1790. He called the metal manaccanite. Gregor found maccacanite in the black sand. The black sand is known today as ilmenite. In 1795, titanium got its name when Martin Heinrich Klaproth, a German chemist, found a dioxide of the same metal in rutile. Klaproth named titanium after the Titans who were the Greek gods of enormous strength. In 1797 Klaproth realized that manacchanite and titanium were the same element. Gregor received credit for the initial discovery of the element, but Klaproth's name "Titanium" was adopted by scientists. It took more than a hundred years for M. A. Hunter, an American chemist, to develop a process that became 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 in capable of extracting larger quantities using vacuum distillation. Titanium is a shiny dark gray metal that exists in a solid state at room temperature. Titanium has 26 known isotopes that have atomic masses from 38 to 63. The isotopes with atomic mass......half of paper......and which is used in common products because of its hardness. K2TiF6 is used to produce resinoid 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 to cut and engrave other metals that are not as hard as 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 striking yellow color. The TiN finish resists wear and is also 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 various ceramics.