Titanium is a very light, strong and lustrous white metal, less than half the weight of steel. It has a very attractive strength to weight ratio. Titanium is alloyed with 6 percent aluminum and 4 percent vanadium. One of titanium’s most notable characteristics is that it is as strong as steel but is only 60 percent its density. This light weight provides better flexibility, strength and decreases user fatigue. Titanium and titanium alloys readily form stable protective surface layers, which give them excellent corrosion resistance in many environments, including oxidizing acids and chlorides. This material can be heated up to 440° C, making it suitable for heat sterilization. Due to its complex machining and finishing processes, titanium instruments tend to be more expensive.