At Brindley Metals we stock materials that are useful for a wide array of applications. One of the most dynamic is titanium grade 7 plate/sheet. There are plenty of interesting uses for it, including electronics, chemical processing equipment, and aerospace parts. However, the most surprising may be in air pollution control equipment. We want to have a closer look at this below.
The risk
One of the biggest challenges in the world is improving air quality. Vehicle use and industrial activities result in a lot of air pollution. According to the WHO, 7 million deaths per year are due to the pollutants. In the UK, it is responsible for between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths annually.
So, as you can see, air pollution is one of the biggest risks to public health in the world. It is especially dangerous in urban areas. The levels can be much higher here because of the number of vehicles and density of the population.
The most dangerous cities in the world for air quality include Karachi, Dhaka, Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, and Delhi. The live rankings from IQAir say the air is unhealthy in these areas. As a result, it can be a serious risk to health and safety.
Air quality in Europe is generally better, however there are lots of areas where there are concerns. In the UK, if you look at historical data from 2022, locations like Faversham, Upminster, Hertford, Brighton, and Ashton-under Lyne had air quality with 2 to 3 times the WHO’s recommended level of fine particles. That needs to improve.
An interesting solution
Impressively, titanium is now being used as a way to tackle the issue. You can use titanium grade 7 plate/sheet for different types of air control equipment.
One of the most interesting applications for titanium though utilises titanium dioxide (TiO2). It can be an active ingredient for paint and protective coatings for different building materials. What makes it special is it can remove pollutants from the air without filtration. As a result, it may be able to tackle smog and other problems.
The key thing here is TiO2 causes photocatalysis when there is ambient daylight. The chemical reaction rapidly converts nitrogen oxides, one of the main causes of air pollution, into soluble salts. Then, rain can wash them away. It can be a low maintenance solution.
Is it viable?
There have been a number of articles and trials of TiO2 on buildings around the world. One of the most notable is Torre de Especialidades, the main hospital in Mexico City. The city has a big problem with air pollution. The hospital looks to tackle it with its stunning facade. The tiles feature a titanium dioxide coating. Estimates believe the single building can neutralise smog from 8,750 vehicles every day.
Eindhoven University of Technology had a look at using TiO2 in pavements. The idea was to make them photocatalytic so they clean the air. Their estimation was that the pavements could reduce smog by between 19% and 45% in different conditions.
Finally, the University of California Riverside did work to explore applications for roof tiles. The idea here was similar to that for the hospital’s facade. The tiles would clean the air because they could absorb sunlight and turn the nitrogen into salts.
Do you want to order titanium grade 7 plate/sheet?
There is plenty of growth in the use of titanium for building applications and air control solutions. It will be interesting to see how they continue to evolve and the impact it has on buildings and urban areas in the future.
Before then, if you want to order titanium grade 7 plate/sheet for any applications, you can speak to us. We will ensure you receive quality products with high accuracy.