Titianium Grades and Their Characteristics

Raw titanium.

Titanium is one of the most versatile substances available to modern industry. Its various uses and grades mean that there is a specific type of pure titanium, or an alloy of the metal, that can be adapted for all sorts of specific purposes.

There are 10 types of titanium, counting the four pure grades along with the six alloys of the metal. Each is used in specific industrial applications for which it has been specially treated or formed. Grades one through four are the numbered pure grades of titanium.

Grade 1 is not only corrosion resistant but is the most pliable of the pure grades, making it an ideal choice for industrial uses that include any kind of tubing or plate. Industries where Grade 1 titanium is common are architecture, the medical industry, and automotive components, to name a few. Grade 2 has much in common with Grade 1 but is slightly stronger, making it an ideal candidate for airframes, power generation equipment, and many marine applications. Grades 3 and 4 are both stronger than the other pure titanium grades, but are not as commonly used. However, they have found roles in the medical, chemical, and aerospace fields.

There are six titanium allows, also known as Grades 5, 7, 11, 12, 23, and 5Al-2.5Sn. While Grade 5 is the workhorse of the alloys, and comprises more than half of all titanium used globally, grades 7 and 11 include a small amount of palladium for extra corrosion resistance. The rest of the metal’s alloys display varying profiles of strength and corrosion resistance depending upon their uses. A few of the industries that use titanium alloys include dentistry, medical surgical equipment, chemical manufacturing, sports equipment and desalination components.

The alloy known as 5Al-2.5Sn shows very high temperature stability and is able to resist cracking, even at extreme temperatures for long time spans. Two industries that make the most use of this alloy are the cryogenic field and makers of aircraft frames. Grades 2 and 5 are the most commonly used versions of the metal. Grade 2 is pure while Grade 5 is an alloy that contains trace amounts of palladium. These two grades of the metal by far account for the majority of titanium in use all over the world today.

Overall, the metal tends to exhibit good corrosion resistance, high specific strength, and low specific gravity. In addition, titanium and many titanium alloys are non-magnetic and bio-compatible, two qualities that make it especially attractive to the medical field.

What to Know About Titanium Alloys

When titanium is combined with other metals it creates a metallic material known as a titanium alloy. The other metal in the alloy is typically small amounts of aluminum, tin, palladium or vanadium. Titanium alloys are created because they give improved properties over pure titanium and are better suited for different types of work where pure titanium is not quite ideal.

The enhanced characteristics include things such as good weldability (fabricability), corrosion resisitance, along with strength and stability at elevated temperatures. Because titanium is extremely hard, it can be a challenge to shape or weld. When mixed in with another metal, however, titanium often becomes easier to work with. Numerous alloys of other metals often contain minute amounts of titanium, however these are not considered a titanium alloy unless titanium comprises the majority of the substance.

  

Thirty-eight common types of titanium alloy exist. The general mix is made up of 90% titanium, 4% vanadium, and 6% aluminum and is known as Grade 5. This Grade 5 is also known as Titanium 6AL-4V, and is suitable for military use. This titanium grade remains stable in applications up to 752 degrees Fahrenheit. It is typically used in aircraft turbines, which become very hot due to quick rotations. Titanium comes in grades 1-38, and different industries tend to rely on different grades.

Often seen as a wonder metal, titanium is extremely light as well as exceedingly strong. In fact, it is nearly twice as strong as aluminum, and about equally as strong as steel. Yet titanium is 40% lighter than aluminum and 45% lighter than steel. In addition to this, it is non-reactive with the human body, which makes it ideal for medical implants. Unfortunately, titanium’s use has been limited by its high cost, making alloys often more affordable.

The Strength of Titanium

 You’ve seen titanium in a variety of industries, from jewelry to aerospace, but why is this metal taking off in popularity? Take a look at the properties that have made titanium a go to metal since its discovery and on through to today.

The second half of the 20th century was marked by an extensive development of production of titanium. At the time, this metal was marked as having a number of advantages, including wide availability and low cost, along with unique properties. The world was predicting that titanium would have a bright future and we were right.

Previous attempts have been made to apply the metal in other areas of metalized industries, such as: shipbuilding, engine construction and so on but those attempts failed. As it turned out, titanium has no simple chemical and physical properties. In 1940, William Kroll offered to produce titanium metal in the form of a sponge, by reducing titanium tetrachloride with magnesium, but this method was very expensive and complicated. Still, in developing this metal, Kroll incorporated titanium into a multi-billion industry staple.

The advantages of this material, in terms of the aluminum-magnesium alloy, are resistance, lightness and corrosion resistance plus the thermal durability of the metal. By weight, in contrast to the other traditionally used metals, titanium is about five times lighter. Because of this, titanium is widely used in the aerospace industry as well as other industries like medical, dental, aerospace, watchmaking, implantology and many others.

As the years pass, titanium has continued to become a much needed metal, especially in certain areas like healthcare and space exploration. The continued success of this metal along with the constant need for it will make titanium a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

The Best Titanium Gadgets For Campers

Titanium is nothing less than a miracle metal, long known to be durable and stain resistant, but only recently “discovered” by designers and architects who need strong, lightweight substances in everything from airplanes to skyscrapers. Titanium fills the bill, due to its extremely high strength-to-weight ratio. A small piece of the metal can support many thousands of times its own weight. In camping and other outdoor activities, titanium has found its niche as the one of the most popular metals. In endurance sports, hiking, camping, and countless other activities, the wonder metal’s popularity continues to soar.

Some of the coolest gadgets and gizmos around are made from titanium. If you like to cook on your camping trips, consider buying a titanium, folding wood stove. These handy little items make it simple to fire up the grill when you are far away from the comforts of a real kitchen. If you want to keep your spending in the realm of sanity, that’s not a problem, since the stoves typically cost only around $50.

Titanium eating utensils should be the other addition to your outdoor cooking paraphernalia collection. Chopsticks, and even folding spoon-forks, are the two most commonly seen utensils out on the trail. They last for longer than you need them to, are almost indestructible, and will not hit you in the wallet, with standard prices in the under-$10 range.

If you are into the extreme sporting craze, or just like to do some wilderness camping every now and then, you need a safe, and dry, place to keep your valuables. That’s where titanium, again, comes in handy. The cash stash is a tube that screws together and will keep almost anything dry and safe, even on a rough river canoe trip, a mountain hike, or similarly “extreme” endeavors.

No camper should be without an all-in-one tool. Titanium all-in-ones come in a wide assortment of styles. Some are more adorned than others, but most consist of several screwdrivers, a punch, two or three pocketknives, a scissors, and numerous other permutations of tool-age. If you get an all-in-one that is made from titanium, you are buying a very handy device that will be with you for your entire life. No kidding. They have so many uses, you will be discovering new applications for your Titanium all-in-one tool for years to come. In fact, if you purchase only one titanium gadget for camping, or any outdoor activity, the all-in-one is probably the best way to spend a few dollars.

Advantages Of Purchasing Titanium Jewelry

In the market for a ring that can withstand the elements and be as weather proof as the loved one you are purchasing it for? If so, then purchasing a titanium ring, or really, any titanium jewelry might be just what you are looking for. You will find that one thing is for certain, while diamonds might be considered to be forever, it's really titanium jewelry that is. Take a look at these common myths about titanium, the truth behind them, as well as some benefits to titanium jewelry.

1. Can not be Adjusted

Generally titanium has not been thought of for the use of jewelry due to it's incredible durability and powerful resistance to outside elements. While it may be impossible to adjust titanium jewelry in some cases, in others slight adjustments can be made. Particularly as titanium jewelry is usually not just made out of this element, but usually mixed with additional elements to make adjusting it easier. Additionally, those considering buying titanium jewelry should keep in mind that necklaces and pennants very rarely need to be adjusted.

2. Impossible to Engrave

Titanium jewelry can be engraved, including those made into rings. Again, titanium jewelry is never made of just this element, and often those selling it provide free engraving, and have the equipment necessary to engrave it properly. Keep this fact in mind when considering what to purchase your loved one.

3. Titanium Allergies Aren't Common

If you've experienced problems in the past with a ring turning your finger's green, or commonly are allergic to outside elements, including gold, titanium is the road to go. There are almost no allergies or skin irritations caused by titanium, and in fact this element is often used in medical practices, such as surgeries, due to it's hypoallergenic properties.

4. Very difficult to damage

Because of how sturdy and incapable of damage titanium as an element is, causing unwanted dents is nearly impossible. Thus, damage to titanium jewelry is nearly impossible, and those who want to ensure they are buying a quality gift for their loved one should consider titanium jewelry as the ideal element. Those who have experienced problems in gold or diamonds scratching should know that as an element this one doesn't bend or allow for most damage, regardless of what other medals it might be mixed with, titanium is meant for the ages. Quality does matter with jewelry, and as we said before, diamonds might be thought of to be forever, but the fact is, titanium has proven that it is.

Titanium Plated Home

Believe it or not, titanium has become one of the most used metals on the planet. Its strength and durability have allowed it to be used in several different ways that benefit society. A new addition to the world of titanium is a titanium home in the Czech Republic.

The home is completely made out of titanium and glass. Looked at as an architectural wonder, this home has even more going for it. On top of being made out of one of the most durable metals available, it is shaped like a bird with its wings outstretched.

The home sits atop a mountain and the bird design was made to essentially fit in with nature. Although many were worried about the home's structural integrity, after the first big storm came and went the owners were convinced the titanium had done it again and showed its prowess as one of the world's strongest metals.

The home is unique for other reasons than just the titanium. The home also has an indoor pool with an aquarium within the pool itself. A winding staircase down the center of the home also focuses on its amazing architectural design.

The home took roughly five years to build and was designed by Roman Kuba, a local Czech man who owns a successful firm in the area. He got the original idea from a blackbird who spread its wings over the balcony at his own home. Kuba's firm belief in "organic architecture", which means that a structures design should reflect its design, is in full effect in this architectural wonder.