Titanium is widely recognized for its strength and corrosion resistance and has been a staple of precision manufacturing for decades. Even though it is the seventh most abundant metal on the planet, extracting and refining this metal has been the challenge. Not until the aviation requirements brought on by the Cold War of the 1950’s and 60’s were there significant resources developed to make titanium one of the mainstream metals.
Mined from rock, titanium is broken down into powder and refined through several methods, including the FFC Cambridge Process. There are 31 grades of titanium recognized by the ASTM International. Grades 1 through 4 are commercially pure while the others are alloys designed for their unique strength, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and ductility properties.
Refined titanium can be produced into sheet, bar, tube, wire, powder, forgings and castings. Processing titanium can be challenging because of its memory characteristics. Advances in purification and production techniques has made it possible for the injection molding and 3D printing of titanium, removing some of the traditional design constraints.
Today, the majority of titanium is used in aerospace, aviation, marine, and other industrial applications. It is used to make aircraft rotors, armor plating, exhaust systems, hydraulic lines and other high stress components.
Pioneers in the medical and dental industries have long valued titanium for its biocompatibility. Everything from stents, artificial hips, orthopedic reconstruction components and dental implants have been designed to take advantage of titanium’s unique qualities.
As pricing has come down and with the introduction of new manufacturing methods, there has been increasing interest for used in golf, tennis, hockey and other sporting goods. Jewelry designers have also recognized titanium’s benefits.
ISO Finishing has worked with many of today’s leading medical and aerospace companies to develop titanium finishing techniques tailored to their unique requirements. Whether we’re finishing machined components for orthopedic devices or tumbling 3D printed turbine blades, we take the same calculated approach. By selecting the machine and barrel size, tumbling media and compounds and combining these with the appropriate speed and duration, we are able to consistently offer customers the finest surface finish possible. Once that is complete, certain processes move on to anodizing process of parts.
ISO Finishing has the experience and expertise to create the specific titanium finishing required for your specific project. From a matte finish on bone screws to a mirror polish on high end luggage hardware, we have it covered when it comes to titanium polishing.