Oxygen sneaks into titanium, making it brittle
Invading atoms multiply weaknesses in the tough metal’s structure
By Beth Mole
A dash of oxygen can bring superstrong titanium to its knees. And now scientists know the root of oxygen’s destructive power.
Lodged in a chunk of titanium, a single oxygen atom spurs extra defects in the metal’s atomic structure. Such flaws make titanium easy to shatter, scientists report in the Feb. 6 Science.
Understanding how oxygen saps titanium’s strength could give scientists new clues for ways to defeat it. And being able to control oxygen’s effects could make tough metals cheaper. Pure titanium, for instance, is coveted for its light weight and strength. But it is often too expensive for making things such as ships, cars and planes.