Titanium fasteners are the best choice for various applications in many different scenarios. However, there are also situations when you should avoid them. This applies to all kinds of products, including screws, bolts, and pins, plus nuts and washers. We want to have a closer look at titanium screws here, so read on to learn more.
Before we look at some scenarios, let’s go over the benefits and drawbacks of titanium screws. It’s important to understand them and the impact on when to use them.
Pros
In terms of advantages, titanium has one of the most impressive combinations of characteristics. It’s one of the strongest materials but is still lightweight. The durability and corrosion resistance is impressive too. Ultimately, it means the screws can have a very long life even in tough applications.
A singular advantage you get with titanium is the biocompatibility. It’s non-toxic and non-allergic, so it won’t cause an adverse reaction. It integrates really well with bone and soft tissue. This makes titanium fasteners like screws the best option for medical applications.
Finally, titanium has really good temperature resistance. It retains its properties at high and low temperatures. This makes it ideal for situations with extreme conditions.
Pro/con
One property to consider is the thermal conductivity. It’s notable because it can be a pro or a con depending on the application. In some cases the ability to conduct heat effectively will be beneficial, such as with heat exchangers. However, in other cases it can be a problem, such as if you are dealing with temperature sensitive products.
Cons
In terms of drawbacks, the main one is the cost. Traditionally titanium has been more expensive than other materials, so it can cause problems when budgets are tight. This is improving to an extent though, as it the availability.
Last but not least, there can be compatibility issues with titanium. The major concern is it can cause galvanic corrosion if you use dissimilar materials and have an electrolyte environment. You need to make sure titanium fasteners won’t cause rapid degradation of other materials.
Scenarios when to use titanium screws
There are some scenarios where titanium is the obvious choice for screws. For example, it’s ideal for medical implants. It’s gentle on the body and reduces the risk of complications such as rejection.
Titanium screws are the best option whenever you need strength without adding a lot of weight. Therefore, they are popular for things like aerospace, high performance vehicles, offshore, military, medical, sports equipment, and more.
Finally, you can rely on the screws if you need fasteners for saltwater environments. The excellent corrosion resistance is a big plus here. Titanium will last a very long time, even in tough applications like desalination. Whether it is stagnant or moving seawater, you won’t have issues, even at low temperatures.
Scenarios when to avoid titanium screws
Generally the situations when you need to reconsider using titanium fasteners, especially screws, include any where the passive layer will be destroyed quickly. This leaves the metal vulnerable to rapid corrosion.
A great example here is scenarios where you are dealing with strong acids. Depending on the concentration and temperature, substances like sulfuric and hydrochloric acid can attack the oxide layer, damaging the material. If you’re dealing with hydrofluoric acid, avoid titanium.
In many cases titanium has great resistance to chloride and chlorine. However, there is one situation where you should never use it; dry chlorine. If there is no moisture, the oxide layer is attacked violently. It can generate an astonishing amount of heat, even risking ignition.
Are titanium fasteners right for you?
As you can see, there are situations when titanium screws are fantastic but others where using them would be a big mistake. The key thing to take from this is you must have a good look at the specific application and conditions. You can then determine exactly what to use to get the best results.
If you need help, you can rely on Brindley Metals. We can work with clients to specify the right materials for all kinds of applications, including titanium fasteners. We can then supply metals and alloys in different forms, or specific products in a number of cases. So, contact us today.