[TheForge] Titanium pins

Mon Jan 9 14:44:32 EST 2017

Find out the manufacturer, get the alloy info and pull a MSDS on the alloy. Some Ti alloys forge like butter at relatively manageable shop temps but Ti will alloy with a huge number of other elements and it's properties can vary wildly.

Usually medical pins are pretty non-reactive but rigid alloys, I have a few in my left elbow that were left to become a frame for the bone to grow on and repair. Anyway, talk to the doc about keeping them, they'll probably autoclave them but I don't know, depends on the local rules.

I've tig welded Ti and it's darned good to work with but I can only speak for those alloys. One trick was to let the shielding gas flow after you stop the arc so it will prevent heavy scale build up on the weldment.

I don't know how you'll prevent heavy scaling while twisting, get Ti very hot and it oxidizes quickly and it absorbs hydrogen like I drink coffee. Maybe an induction forge in a closed box purged with argon?

If he likes colors check out the crowd making jewelry from reactive metals. The basics of color play is DC electricity and various electrolytes. Same for cleaning and polishing, check out "electro polishing" same process as on stainless steel with variances.

Yes, some alloys are very flammable if divided finely enough and unoxidized just like aluminum shavings or dust. Treat it just like you would any class 4 fire hazardous material. 

Frosty

-----Original Message-----
From: TheForge [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dave Mudge
Sent: Monday, January 9, 2017 9:20 AM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Titanium pins

I wonder if silver solder or 'sil-fos' would work to join the ends.
I think that the medics will give up the pins after running through the autoclave...
thanks, this is good.
keep going,
dave m
your list mom

On Mon, Jan 9, 2017 at 11:23 AM, Charles <xlch58 at swbell.net> wrote:

> The biggest issue is getting them to give you the pins.  Often they 
> treat them as medical waste and will not let you near them.  Depends on the Dr.
>
> Charles
>
> > On Jan 9, 2017, at 8:59 AM, davemudge1 <davemudge1 at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks for the input Mike. They will remove the pins soon because he 
> > is
> still growing and the bones are mending well.
> >
> >
> > Sent via the Samsung Galaxy Note® 4, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
> >
> > -------- Original message --------
> > From: mspencer at tallships.ca
> > Date: 1/9/2017  1:26 AM  (GMT-06:00)
> > To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
> > Subject: [TheForge]  Titanium pins
> >
> >
> >> 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....twisted wire bracelet with those pins when they are 
> >> removed.
> >
> > Has anyone said that they'll ever be coming out?  I broke my right 
> > elbow in a hockey game circa 1958, fixed up with a steel pin and 
> > it's still there.  Nice work: it's never caused me any trouble with 
> > swinging a hammer.
> >
> > No help on the titanium, though, sorry.  The only surgical implant I 
> > ever had in the shop was a metal prosthetic hip joint.  It was so 
> > pretty that I didn't want to do anything to alter it, made banded 
> > attachments to convert it to a door knocker.
> >
> > Oh, and best regards to your grandson.  It can't have been a fun 
> > holiday experience.
> >
> > - Mike
> >
> > --
> > Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada       .~.
> >                                                            /V\
> > mspencer at tallships.ca                                     /( )\
> > http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/                        ^^-^^
> >
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...sometimes you're the bug
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