Titanium is one of the best choices when choosing a fastener material. It has many applications due to its durability, high-melting point, and high corrosion resistance.
Titanium is around 2 to 4 times stronger than stainless steel. Moreover, titanium fasteners are resistant to saltwater and almost every chlorine or chloride solution.
It has high utility in the Aviation and Aerospace industries. This is due to its high tensile strength and ability to sustain higher-pressure conditions. Besides the aviation industry, titanium fasteners have applications in medical and military applications.
Different Types of Titanium Fasteners
Titanium Grade 2
It does not have any alloy in it. Titanium Grade 2 has moderate strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and formability. Thus, making it suitable for many applications.
Titanium Grade 5
It is alloyed with 6% Aluminium and 4% Vanadium. High-quality titanium grade 5 fasteners can withstand temperatures of over 400 degrees Celsius. They are mainly employed in marine and Aerospace applications.
You can buy high-quality titanium fasteners considering the following do’s and don’ts.
Titanium Fasteners for Strength and Lightness
As mentioned above, the tensile strength of titanium fasteners is unmatchable.
Titanium grade 5 offers a strength of 148 KSI UTS and 138 KSI yield. Other than that, titanium fasteners also offer the ultimate strength-to-weight ratio.
Titanium Grade 5 fasteners are four times stronger than 316 stainless steel at nearly half the weight. Whereas, Titanium Grade 2 is approximately twice stronger.
This superlative strength-to-weight ratio makes titanium ideal for medical, aerospace, and military applications.
Do Use it for Saltwater Resistance
Titanium fasteners are resistant to saltwater, which makes them more desirable for use in a saline environment. Industries like Naval, desalination and offshore oil rely highly on titanium due to its resistance to saltwater.
Interestingly, titanium fasteners are resistant to both moving and stagnant seawater up to a mile deep. They even depict this property at temperatures of up to 500°F.
Do Use it for Chloride Resistance.
Just like saltwater, titanium fasteners are also repellant to all chlorine or chloride solutions. Titanium’s ability to regenerate its protective-passive layer in the presence of oxygen makes it resistant to them.
They are further resistant to almost every chlorine or chloride solution, including chlorite, hypochlorite, chlorate, perchlorate, and chlorine dioxide. Another aspect is that if chlorine is used in the absence of water or as a gas, this can cause rapid corrosion.
Do Not Use it in Acid.
As mentioned above, titanium fastener offer excellent corrosion resistance to salt water and chlorides. However, it is not true for strong acids.
The titanium fasteners corrode at certain acid concentrations and temperatures. This happens because they lose their protective-passive layer when exposed to sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid.
Don’t Use it in Dry Chlorine.
Even though titanium fastener are ideal for almost all chloride and chlorine applications, they certainly cannot be used in the absence of water.
Dry chlorine and chloride gases will make them rapidly corrode and even ignite. The simple reason behind this is, without water or gas, oxygen is absent, and titanium loses its ability to regenerate its protective layer in the absence of oxygen, which then results in corrosion.
Major Takeaways
Although titanium has many advantages over other available fastener materials, its usage depends on your needs and requirements. One also needs to keep the aforementioned titanium fastener do’s and don’ts in mind. Bhavya Industries is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality fasteners to all clients. We have a wide range of fasteners with various specifications. We have been manufacturing and supplying high-quality fasteners for the past 25 years.
