I was wondering if it would be kosher to grind/bend some pieces of titanium in the metal shop. I’m aware that titanium isn’t technically a ferrous material, however I’m not aware of it being a problem gumming up or otherwise damaging grinding equipment.
As far as bending, would the metal shop be a good area to use a propane or oxy torch to heat the work piece for bends, or should I look elsewhere?
Google says to use ceramic or silicon carbide belts on titanium. the burr king uses 2 or 2.5x60 belts.
If you can mill it you would get much better edges.
If you can do it with an angle grinder just find the right discs for titanium.
What are you making?
Aren’t titanium shavings/dust incredibly flammable or something? For some reason I vaguely recall that it was banned in certain machines at the space a while back…
I may be totally full of it / thinking of something else though.
Titanium powder exhibits exceptional reactivity due to its high surface area and strong affinity for oxygen. When exposed to air, titanium particles undergo rapid oxidation, releasing significant amounts of heat. This oxidation process often serves as the ignition source for combustion. The reaction can escalate further when moisture is present, as titanium reacts with water to produce hydrogen gas—a highly flammable byproduct. The reaction formula for this interaction is:
Ti+2H2O→TiO2+2H2
This combination of heat release, oxygen reactivity, and hydrogen generation amplifies the potential for fire and explosions, especially in enclosed spaces where dust clouds may form.
Titanium powder is highly flammable and burns with an intensely bright flame. Its ignition can be triggered by minimal energy sources such as static discharge, friction, or a spark from faulty equipment. Once ignited, the combustion is difficult to control and spreads rapidly through the particle cloud. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has classified titanium powder as a combustible dust with a high risk of deflagration or explosion when suspended in air.
Real-world incidents have highlighted these hazards. For example, in a titanium processing facility, the ignition of a dust cloud during routine maintenance resulted in a catastrophic explosion. Investigators identified the buildup of fine titanium particles and inadequate dust control measures as the primary contributors to the incident. Such cases underscore the importance of strict adherence to safety guidelines.
I’m looking to make some armor wedges for my combat robot. I have the 2d profile for these guys already made in 1/16" Ti G5, I’m just trying to get the secondary ops done at DMS.
The countersinks I can do pretty easy myself, but I don’t have the equipment for the bends or sharpening the lip. A belt grinder is probably ideal for the sharpening. I have no idea about the fire hazard associated with Ti; I’ve been told by garage-machinists that it’s “okay” for something this small, but they’re also not working in a public space.
Thats a small part, use a file on it.
Do y’all think a file would produce large enough shavings to where fire isn’t a problem, or should I just pony up and do this at home?
