What does polished titanium mean?
Polishing titanium refers to the process of treating the surface of titanium metal by mechanical or chemical methods to achieve a specific gloss. Unlike ordinary stainless steel, titanium metal has a unique silver-gray color and excellent corrosion resistance. After professional polishing, it can present a variety of effects from matte to mirror. In the fields of medical devices, high-end jewelry, and aerospace, polished titanium products are highly favored for their excellent physical and chemical properties and aesthetics.
The core value of polished titanium is:
Improving surface finish and reducing microscopic pores
Enhancing corrosion resistance
Improving product aesthetics and touch
Facilitating subsequent cleaning and maintenance
How to polish a titanium plate?
Polishing titanium plates is a multi-step process, mainly including pretreatment, rough grinding, fine grinding, mechanical polishing, electrolytic polishing, and final cleaning and drying. Here are the detailed step-by-step instructions:
Pretreatment:
Wash the titanium plate to remove the oxide layer on the surface. This can be achieved chemically or mechanically, such as pickling, alkaline washing, or grinding with a grinding wheel.
Rough grinding:
Use a diamond paste or a silicon carbide grinding wheel to rough grind the titanium plate to remove large scratches and irregular surface defects.
Fine grinding:
Use finer diamond paste or aluminum oxide grinding wheel for fine grinding to further reduce surface roughness and improve the flatness of the titanium plate.
Mechanical polishing:
Use a polishing wheel and polishing paste for mechanical polishing. Polishing
Paste usually consists of abrasives, grease, and fatty acids, which can play a role in lubrication and cooling during polishing. The speed and pressure of the polishing wheel need to be adjusted according to the hardness and thickness of the polished titanium.
Electrolytic polishing:
For some extremely high surface finish requirements, electrolytic polishing can be considered. This method uses direct current between the titanium plate and the electrode to remove tiny bumps on the surface by using hydrogen produced by electrochemical reaction, thereby achieving a mirror-like polishing effect.
Cleaning and drying:
After polishing, the titanium plate needs to be thoroughly cleaned to remove residual polishing paste and impurities. Subsequently, the titanium plate is placed in a drying oven for drying to prevent rust.
Inspection:
Does polished titanium stay shiny?
Polished titanium can maintain its gloss to a certain extent. If the environment is good and there are no corrosive substances, high temperatures, frequent friction, and other factors, its gloss can be maintained for a long time. However, titanium will gradually form an oxide film in the air. Although this oxide film can protect titanium from further corrosion, it may change the gloss, but it usually still maintains a certain bright appearance. If you have high requirements for gloss maintenance, you can clean and maintain it regularly, such as wiping it with a mild detergent and avoiding contact with sharp and rough objects, which will help prolong its gloss retention time.
For aerospace-grade titanium parts that need to maintain a mirror effect for a long time, it is recommended to use vacuum coating technology, which can maintain the surface gloss for more than 10 years. Remember: polishing is just the beginning; maintenance determines a lifetime! Through scientific maintenance methods, your titanium products will last forever.
