Titanium Myths

To many people, titanium is a mysterious term. General understanding of the public for this metal is that it is a very hard substance, and some may know that is very light as well, especially for folks who own any titanium watches. We would like to clarify some common myths about this metal and give brief explanation for each one.

Titanium is a newly found metal

Titanium is new to many industries and recently applied to many new applications, but the metal was first discovered in 1791, in England. It was discovered by an amateur chemist in an impure form called rutile. It was not used widely until the last century because the technique for extracting titanium from its naturally occurred ore remained a failure until 1910. It was used in many applications after it was shown that its alloys can be produced commercially by reducing titanium tetrachloride with magnesium in 1940.

Titanium is new to many industries and recently applied to many new applications, but the metal was first discovered in 1791, in England. It was discovered by an amateur chemist in an impure form called rutile. It was not used widely until the last century because the technique for extracting titanium from its naturally occurred ore remained a failure until 1910. It was used in many applications after it was shown that its alloys can be produced commercially by reducing titanium tetrachloride with magnesium in 1940.

Titanium is very hard

It depends. It has to be noted that the metal (chemical periodic table symbol Ti), is rather soft compare to the commonly known “strong” version, which is the alloys made from a mixture of titanium, tin (Sn), aluminum (Al) and vanadium (V). In jewelry industry, titanium is offered in different grades. The pure titanium is much softer than the other two alloys, known as 6Al4V and 6Al4V2Sn. 6Al4V means that the alloy consists of 90% titanium, 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium.

It depends. It has to be noted that the metal (chemical periodic table symbol Ti), is rather soft compare to the commonly known “strong” version, which is the alloys made from a mixture of titanium, tin (Sn), aluminum (Al) and vanadium (V). In jewelry industry, titanium is offered in different grades. The pure titanium is much softer than the other two alloys, known as 6Al4V and 6Al4V2Sn. 6Al4V means that the alloy consists of 90% titanium, 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium.

Titanium is a precious metal

Quite on the contrary, titanium is abundant on the Earth and not precious at all. Nevertheless, titanium is listed among the precious metals silver, gold and platinum under precious metal categories. Also, the price range for titanium is similar to the precious metals that are actually scarce on the Earth. The reason is that although the metal itself is abundantly available, the process for producing titanium alloys is expensive compare to traditional precious metals. The technology for creating titanium alloys involves extremely high temperature and vacuum condition, and tight control of environment to avoid any contaminations. This drives the prices of titanium jewelry to the range of jewelry just like gold jewelry.

Quite on the contrary, titanium is abundant on the Earth and not precious at all. Nevertheless, titanium is listed among the precious metals silver, gold and platinum under precious metal categories. Also, the price range for titanium is similar to the precious metals that are actually scarce on the Earth. The reason is that although the metal itself is abundantly available, the process for producing titanium alloys is expensive compare to traditional precious metals. The technology for creating titanium alloys involves extremely high temperature and vacuum condition, and tight control of environment to avoid any contaminations. This drives the prices of titanium jewelry to the range of jewelry just like gold jewelry.

Titanium is indestructible

Wrong. Even though titanium alloys have high strength and resistant to wearing, it can be damaged. In fact, it can be worked almost in the same ways as other jewelry, such as resizing, filing, polishing and engraving. However, special equipment is needed to do so. Therefore, in case of an emergency, titanium rings can be cut off like any other rings, except that some special equipment is needed. Note that pure titanium can be scratched and bent just like gold and silver jewelry.

Wrong. Even though titanium alloys have high strength and resistant to wearing, it can be damaged. In fact, it can be worked almost in the same ways as other jewelry, such as resizing, filing, polishing and engraving. However, special equipment is needed to do so. Therefore, in case of an emergency, titanium rings can be cut off like any other rings, except that some special equipment is needed. Note that pure titanium can be scratched and bent just like gold and silver jewelry.

Titanium is hypoallergenic

Right. Titanium alloys are inert and does not contain nickel or cobalt which most people with more sensitive skin are allergic to. They will not change color or cause outbreak to virtually anybody. In short, titanium jewelry is very safe to wear.

Right. Titanium alloys are inert and does not contain nickel or cobalt which most people with more sensitive skin are allergic to. They will not change color or cause outbreak to virtually anybody. In short, titanium jewelry is very safe to wear. Check out our men's titanium wedding rings here

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So here’s the deal – there are actually a few different things that influence the price of titanium. In general, titanium will usually be more expensive than other metals because it is rarer than other metals, and because it is typically only found bonded to other elements which can make processing more expensive. Looking just in the realm of titanium, factors influencing price include grade, type of material certification (if present), material source or Country of Origin (CoO), material specification, amount of processing, and order size.

Grade

Titanium grades which are rarer – such as CP Grade 4 or CP Grade 7- may be more expensive. Grade 6AL – 4V (6-4, Grade 5) is an alloy where titanium has been bonded with Aluminum and Vanadium to produce higher strength. It is also more weldable and more easily fabricated. With that, typically, comes a higher price tag.

Material Certifications

At TMS, we sometimes stock non-certified material. This means that when you purchase the metal, that is all you are getting. We have no official document to prove to you that the metal meets certain physical or chemical properties and we may have no traceable heat or lot number with which to identify the material. We test the material with a gun to verify the material grade, but again- there is no formal document from a mill or manufacturer proving this information. Oftentimes, this material will be “mill-marked” meaning it has a line marking applied to the material from the producing mill which states the grade, size, and sometimes even specifications of the material. This non-certified material will be the least expensive option if it is available.

Our titanium may also be lab certified. This means that there is no documentation from the mill or manufacturer, but there is a document from a legitimate testing facility which will typically show the grade, size, physical, and chemical properties, and sometimes heat or lot number from the mill. This would typically be a little more expensive than non-certified material.

Foreign mill certified material will come with a mill certification with the heat number, grade, any applicable specifications, physical, and chemical properties. Common CoO’s for our foreign certified materials is from China and Russia.

Domestic mill certified material is melted and manufactured in the USA. Domestic certs tend to be a little longer and more detailed than foreign mill certs but include basically the same information. This material is typically DFARS compliant and, upon request, can be quoted as RoHS compliant as well. Domestic-created material will be the most expensive option available.

CoO and Material Specification

As stated above, domestically produced material will be more expensive than imported material. Similarly, material specifications that apply to more extreme applications (such as Aerospace) may affect the price as well. For example, ASTM B348 is a common specification for titanium bar- but AMS 4928 is the aerospace specification for titanium bar and has more strict requirements. Therefore, you may be paying more for this spec. If your application/customer requires a certain spec, you must be sure to request that explicitly as not all material conforms to every spec.

Processing

Here at TMS Titanium, we have cutting capabilities to provide our customers with smaller pieces that are ready for production if needed. Waterjet, grinding, shear, bar, and plate cutting are available to help save our customers time and make their manufacturing as easy as possible. We take pride in making sure our orders are cut to perfection.

Order Size

This one’s easy – the more you buy, the more you save! BUT REMEMBER- We have no order minimum at TMS Titanium, so there is no request too small.

While titanium may be a bit on the pricey side, our satisfied customers say it’s worth it. And you can feel confident that with TMS Titanium, we work to give you the best possible deal and get your material shipped to you as quickly as possible (that’s why we have an online store as well!). Our workforce is skilled and efficient, and we believe in our product. We’ll work with you to get you what you need at the best price we can. Email us today to request a quote!

Titanium

 is a 

Wonder

 Metal!

It’s a common question – especially from those who have never used titanium before.So here’s the deal – there are actually a few different things that influence the price of titanium. In general, titanium will usually be more expensive than other metals because it is rarer than other metals, and because it is typically only found bonded to other elements which can make processing more expensive. Looking just in the realm of titanium, factors influencing price include grade, type of material certification (if present), material source or Country of Origin (CoO), material specification, amount of processing, and order size.Titanium grades which are rarer – such as CP Grade 4 or CP Grade 7- may be more expensive. Grade 6AL – 4V (6-4, Grade 5) is an alloy where titanium has been bonded with Aluminum and Vanadium to produce higher strength. It is also more weldable and more easily fabricated. With that, typically, comes a higher price tag.At TMS, we sometimes stock non-certified material. This means that when you purchase the metal, that is all you are getting. We have no official document to prove to you that the metal meets certain physical or chemical properties and we may have no traceable heat or lot number with which to identify the material. We test the material with a gun to verify the material grade, but again- there is no formal document from a mill or manufacturer proving this information. Oftentimes, this material will be “mill-marked” meaning it has a line marking applied to the material from the producing mill which states the grade, size, and sometimes even specifications of the material. This non-certified material will be the least expensive option if it is available.Our titanium may also be lab certified. This means that there is no documentation from the mill or manufacturer, but there is a document from a legitimate testing facility which will typically show the grade, size, physical, and chemical properties, and sometimes heat or lot number from the mill. This would typically be a little more expensive than non-certified material.Foreign mill certified material will come with a mill certification with the heat number, grade, any applicable specifications, physical, and chemical properties. Common CoO’s for our foreign certified materials is from China and Russia.Domestic mill certified material is melted and manufactured in the USA. Domestic certs tend to be a little longer and more detailed than foreign mill certs but include basically the same information. This material is typically DFARS compliant and, upon request, can be quoted as RoHS compliant as well. Domestic-created material will be the most expensive option available.As stated above, domestically produced material will be more expensive than imported material. Similarly, material specifications that apply to more extreme applications (such as Aerospace) may affect the price as well. For example, ASTM B348 is a common specification for titanium bar- but AMS 4928 is the aerospace specification for titanium bar and has more strict requirements. Therefore, you may be paying more for this spec. If your application/customer requires a certain spec, you must be sure to request that explicitly as not all material conforms to every spec.Here at TMS Titanium, we have cutting capabilities to provide our customers with smaller pieces that are ready for production if needed. Waterjet, grinding, shear, bar, and plate cutting are available to help save our customers time and make their manufacturing as easy as possible. We take pride in making sure our orders are cut to perfection.This one’s easy – the more you buy, the more you save! BUT REMEMBER- We have no order minimum at TMS Titanium, so there is no request too small.While titanium may be a bit on the pricey side, our satisfied customers say it’s worth it. And you can feel confident that with TMS Titanium, we work to give you the best possible deal and get your material shipped to you as quickly as possible (that’s why we have an online store as well!). Our workforce is skilled and efficient, and we believe in our product. We’ll work with you to get you what you need at the best price we can. Email us today to request a quote!is a