Richard wrote:
On 2/17/2012 4:54 PM, Lloyd E. Sponenburgh wrote:
fired this volley in news:4CA%q.1145
:
Can I heat it with an oxy-acetylene torch to do this easier? I know I
can't weld it, and I don't need to join it anyway--I just need to bend
the wire into round shapes with curves1-inch diameter.

I've not ever played with titanium before.... does it turn a different
color when it gets near melting point? If the surface of the wire
oxidizes and turns funny colors is okay, I just don't want it to go
totally-soft permanently.


I'd be willing to try it with a carburizing flame. Make _absolutely_
sure the flame is on the fuel-rich side, because oxygen is your enemy
with titanium. Err on the side of too rich; titanium melts at about
3500F, and even a rich O/A flame will exceed 4500F.

But be careful. I'm a pyrotechnician by trade. Titanium is the stuff we
use to make "silver" sparks. It will burn well in open air, and is a
bitch to put out. It throws sparks several feet as it burns.

Hot forming of titanium can be done between 900F and 1450F. I'd suspect
hotter is better with hand-forming. 1450 approaches a full cherry red.

It will oxidize heavily upon exposure to air, but the oxide can be
removed abrasively. At lower temperatures, the oxides can be quite
beautiful with a whole array of peacock colors displayed.

LLoyd




Didn't Lockheed figure out they needed to work titanium in an inert gas
atmosphere?

Take your tests a bit further.
1. put back in the vice securely.
then bend your 1in protrusion to rt angle with a hammer, to get the
FEEL of what youve got. Dont be afraid to hit it.
2.
My guess is its a standard commercial titanium alloy, incorporating
vanadium and aluminium. V4 A6.
3. That alloy will bend ok at a red heat. tho the surface will look bad
afterwards.
4. Depends how important appearanceis afterwards.
If it is then youll have to work it cold.
Polishing it will be an absolute pain if you want it shiny.
5. You wont have a fire risk with rod. only powders of very fine
particle size like granulated sugar.
Ted a
Titanium smith
Dorset
UK.