To obtain titanium metal, its ore (rutile sand) is treated with gaseous chlorine to yield titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4), and metallic magnesium is used to reduce TiCl4 into titanium in a sponge form. This is known in the industry as the Kroll Process.
Titanium sponge is then melted in vacuum furnaces to produce ingots or slabs, with or without the addition of titanium scrap. Titanium alloy ingots/slabs are also produced in vacuum melting furnaces with addition of required alloy elements.
Titanium ingot/slab is rolled into plates and rods with the same mill facilities as for steel or nonferrous metals.
