The story of titanium
construction-physics.com
The story of titanium
1–10 of 188 posts
Re: The story of titanium
#2Great overview: Titanium production technology essentially “willed into existence” by the US government (mainly the military branches) but now critical in health care for implants that embed with bone and that do not induce rejection.
Re: The story of titanium
#3As a kid in my father's workshop we had several 4mm thick titanium plates, scavenged from some industrial stuff in USSR research facility nearby. I had a lot of fun getting my visiting friends tey to dent it with hammers. No matter how hard you struck it just didn't care. Only the oxidation patina would show some trace of impact. It was absolute magic to me. And so incredibly light!
Re: The story of titanium
#4This is the 5th time this story has been posted here. None of the other times received any comments and only a few points.
Re: The story of titanium
#5This is a really interesting story!
Re: The story of titanium
#6This is the 5th time this story has been posted here. None of the other times received any comments and only a few points.
It's the first time I've seen it, and I'm glad I did because it's fascinating!
Also, this time seems to be going a bit differently... Perhaps timing is everything (see: bored people with their Thanksgiving families today...)
Re: The story of titanium
#7As a kid in my father's workshop we had several 4mm thick titanium plates, scavenged from some industrial stuff in USSR research facility nearby. I had a lot of fun getting my visiting friends tey to dent it with hammers. No matter how hard you struck it just didn't care. Only the oxidation patina would show some trace of impact. It was absolute magic to me. And so incredibly light!
When the USSR collapsed, a lot of defense companies pivoted to civilian production. A factory in my town was producing titanium shovel heads.
They were awesome, unbelievably light, but very durable. They also made nice sparks when dragged across concrete pavement.
Re: The story of titanium
#8As a kid in my father's workshop we had several 4mm thick titanium plates, scavenged from some industrial stuff in USSR research facility nearby. I had a lot of fun getting my visiting friends tey to dent it with hammers. No matter how hard you struck it just didn't care. Only the oxidation patina would show some trace of impact. It was absolute magic to me. And so incredibly light!
When the USSR collapsed, a lot of defense companies pivoted to civilian production. A factory in my town was producing titanium shovel heads. They were awesome, unbelievably light, but very durable. They also made nice sparks when dragged across concrete pavement.
Damn, imagine having a titanium shovel! I want one!
Re: The story of titanium
#9As a kid in my father's workshop we had several 4mm thick titanium plates, scavenged from some industrial stuff in USSR research facility nearby. I had a lot of fun getting my visiting friends tey to dent it with hammers. No matter how hard you struck it just didn't care. Only the oxidation patina would show some trace of impact. It was absolute magic to me. And so incredibly light!
When the USSR collapsed, a lot of defense companies pivoted to civilian production. A factory in my town was producing titanium shovel heads. They were awesome, unbelievably light, but very durable. They also made nice sparks when dragged across concrete pavement.
Decades ago, Sears sold magnesium stepladders. I've used one, and it's freakishly light, a 6-foot step ladder that you can walk around with balanced on one finger.
I've always wondered what a titanium one would be like.
Re: The story of titanium
#10Earlier quoted context omitted.
When the USSR collapsed, a lot of defense companies pivoted to civilian production. A factory in my town was producing titanium shovel heads. They were awesome, unbelievably light, but very durable. They also made nice sparks when dragged across concrete pavement.
Damn, imagine having a titanium shovel! I want one!
https://nearzero.co/products/shovel
They exist! Meant for backpacking/back country work.
I spent a summer as a wilderness search and rescue intern/volunteer/grunt/mule during college and was shocked at how much weight could have been saved with better gear. There’s just a minimal market for it.