In the world of metals, there are many different types, and each has unique properties. One such metal is titanium. Titanium has high strength, low density and excellent corrosion resistance. But how to distinguish titanium from other metals? MetTrans Terminal reveals several ways to help you do this.
Scratch glass with metal
One easy way to tell if a metal is titanium is to try scratching glass with it. The properties of titanium are such that if you run the pointed end of a titanium scrap over ceramic tiles or glass, the metal will leave a mark that looks like a stroke of a pencil. If you scratched the glass with metal, then it is probably steel, cast iron or stainless steel. However, for accuracy, it is better to conduct additional checks.
How to identify titanium by a spark
Another way to identify titanium is to observe the sparks that occur when grinding metal. Titanium has a characteristic bright white spark that is different from the sparks of other metals. This is due to the high combustion temperature of titanium. If you notice that the sparks are bright white and the sparks are abundant, then there is a high probability that this is a titanium alloy.
Galvanic reaction
Titanium has specific galvanic properties that can be used to determine it. A galvanic reaction occurs when titanium comes into contact with other metals in the presence of an electrolyte. If you place a piece of fabric in a salt solution and apply a small current through it, then an anodized film with a characteristic iridescent tint will appear at the place where the fabric touches titanium. Such a galvanic reaction does not occur with aluminum or steel.
Comparison of specific gravity
Specific gravity is an important parameter in the determination of metals. Titanium has a low density, which makes it a lightweight and durable material. If there are samples of different metals, you can compare their specific gravity. Titanium will have significantly less weight compared to most other metals - only aluminum has less.
Other ways to distinguish titanium from other metals
In addition to the above methods, there are other ways to distinguish titanium from other metals. Titanium has a low thermal conductivity compared to other metals. If you heat one side of a titanium plate, the opposite side will remain cool.
Another interesting feature of titanium is the ability of chips to burn when exposed to open fire. For comparison: aluminum chips melt and sinter, while steel chips simply heat up. If you hit the surface of a metal product hard with a hammer, then there will be a barely noticeable dent on the titanium, a mark from the hammer on the steel, and aluminum will be seriously damaged and deformed.
