[TheForge] Titanium pins

[Bruce .]

I, too, doubt the pins will ever be removed.

Titanium is forged red hot like steel and works fine at that heat. I don't
think you need to quench it like steel -- quenching most nonferrous metals
is just for cooling them off and (AFAIK) does nothing to the hardness.
Unlike copper and other metals, titanium is not annealed by quenching --
it's just incredibly hard when cold -- you'll ruin saw blades on it.  (I'm
not sure if it can be abrasive cut -- I'd avoid doing so as it could be
hazardous, like magnesium.)   Like aluminum and magnesium, it's actually a
very active metal, but forms a hard oxide so is essentially impervious to
(ordinary) corrosion.

I know nothing about welding titanium but doubt forge welding is
appropriate.  I'd guess that a welding technique that works for aluminum or
magnesium would work for titanium.  I'd also guess (no experience here on
titanium) that it could be soldered using the same sort of technique as for
aluminum -- keep a pool of solder molten on the surface of the aluminum
using a torch, while mechanically scratching the aluminum through the
solder until you break away enough of the aluminum oxide that adhesion
occurs.  This works for tin-lead solder and aluminum but I have no
suggestions for titanium.

FWIW, if you do get some titanium (especially if from a non-medical
source), take care that it is NOT an alloy containing vanadium.  The word
of mouth back a decade or so ago was that the vanadium fumes gave you nasty
flu-like symptoms.  Nowadays there may be appropriate full-face respirators
to protect you, but, being bearded, I just don't mess with such things.

Bruce
NJ

On Mon, Jan 9, 2017 at 2:00 AM, Dave Mudge <davemudge1 at gmail.com> wrote:

> My 13 year old grandson broke his arm a short time ago and had 2 pins put
> into the bones to hold them together. from the x-rays they appear to be
> 3/16 diameter and as long as from his wrist to his elbow. He would like to
> make a twisted wire bracelet with those pins when they are removed. I have
> never worked any titanium before and would welcome any advice. How hot to
> work it? Can I quench it hot? How to weld or solder the ends? How to polish
> it?
> thanks,
> dave m
> your list mom
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