TPi January 2013

t i tanium tubes

Titanium is 30 per cent stronger than steel, but is nearly 50 per cent lighter; it is 60 per cent heavier than aluminium, but twice as strong. Titanium has excellent strength retention to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and is alloyed with aluminium, manganese, iron, molybdenum and other metals to increase strength, to withstand high temperatures, and to lighten the resultant alloy.

Titanium has high corrosion resistance, which is also a valuable characteristic, as when exposed to the atmosphere, titanium forms a tight, tenacious oxide film that resists many corrosive materials, particularly salt water.

Photograph: Nu-Tech Precision Metals Inc