Chemical manufacturing is big business in the UK, helping to drive many of the country’s important industries.
Whether the compounds are used in nonlinear optics, electromechanical transducers, capacitors, or microwave resonators, they play a big role in bringing the products to life.
Potassium titanate is another useful compound, which is most notably used in the automotive industry.
It offers many uses, such as a friction material for vehicles, to weld rod flux manufacture, as thermal insulating fibre, as a reinforcing material, and in precision filters.
Thanks to its multitude of properties, such as strength, low dielectricity, resistance to wear, tear and high temperatures, and stiffness, it is durable and long-lasting, which makes it ideal for the sector.
It has a melting point of 1,300C, so it will not change form unless under this intense heat. It also has friction stability, which, together with its other favourable properties, makes it a very useful compound, or non asbestos organic (NAO) material, to use.
Science Direct states that as potassium titanates offer low material wear “their introduction [has] caused a considerable shift from metallic formulations towards ceramic (NAO) ones”.
Its high melting point, for instance, is crucial for its role in automotive manufacturing, as it can withstand extreme temperatures when there is a fault, or even a fire, in the vehicle.
Therefore, it can be used as a friction additive in brake linings, which helps make the brakes more stiff and boosts their mechanical strength. By being resistant to heat, brakes are less likely to fail, ensuring the safety of the driver, passengers, other motorists and pedestrians.
Potassium titanate is available as a nanopowder, submicron and in high purity forms, which makes it even more useful.