Titanium is a metal desirable because of its durability, hardness, and appearance. Like many other precious metals, it requires skill and experience to provide it with the right properties. During the production process, several flaws may occur. It is for this reason that companies prefer to have their products finished. In the case of titanium finishing, the metal finishing company can offer a choice of several methods.
Types of Titanium Finishing
The purpose of titanium finishing is two-fold. It removes certain flaws. More importantly, it improves upon the specific properties of the metal. At the same time, it does not dilute or alter the mechanical processes of the metal. To achieve this goal, metal finishing companies offer different processes. The four major ones are:
* Anodizing: This particular method addresses any concerns about preserving the integrity of the titanium. Clients from the biomedical science field prefer this method. The slight alteration in color does not reflect any significant physical or chemical change. In fact, certain companies prefer this type of titanium finishing as it allows them to dictate the specific hue they want within the wide range of colors. A company can accomplish this by specifying the surface level of oxide.
Titanium finishing performed using this method is most common among the medical devices industry. However, recently, more interest is being found among other industrial concerns. This includes those in both the aerospace, marine and technological fields.
* Passivation: Passivation is a process through which titanium returns to its original specifications re corrosion resistance without altering its appearance. The usual method is to submerge the components, for a set time and at a specific temperature, in a diluted citric or nitric acid bath. This results in a highly controlled result. The final layer of film is only two to six nanometers thick.
The procedure also removes any foreign matter and free iron from the surface of the titanium. It is not capable, however, of removing any particulate material that is imbedded.
* Electropolishing: To remove any imbedded contaminants, the titanium finishing process will involve electropolishing. Combining both chemicals and electrical current, allows the mechanical surface improvement company to remove any contaminants, imperfections, and material that may result in irregularities or corrosion.
* Tumbling: Tumbling gives titanium components a very sleek finish as well as a superior sheen. Essentially this involves two potential types of finishing techniques: high-energy or vibratory. The tumbler may use a ceramic media or another form of grit such as aluminum oxide to achieve the desired results.
Titanium Finishing
Titanium is a durable and highly malleable metal. Naturally resistant to corrosion and very resilient against fatigue, it is favored by those in the medical device industries. To improve, enhance and reinforce the overall properties of this metal, companies turn to surface finishers. They utilize titanium finishing techniques, including tumbling, anodizing and passivation, to achieve the best results possible.
