HELP!! anodizing Titanium

R A Wilson

R A Wilson

Joined
Dec 5, 2000
Messages
54
I recently aquired a regulated DC power supply 0-400 VDC also with Bias voltage capability. I tryed anodizing some titanium today with the only result being a blown fuse in the power supply. I am using a coffee can with coca-cola, with the hot wire to the can and the neg wire to the Ti. I get bubbling and fizzing in the cola when i put the juice to it but no color on the Ti. I have tried 2-400 volts DC with no color. I left it in for about 5 min, Am I not leaving it in long enough? I also have a ground connection on the DC connector side, I trie this instead of the Neg connector but didn't get anything(fizzing)........Please help!
 
Ditch the Coke and the coffee can. I have been getting fantastic results from TSP. This is a cleaning powder that can be picked up at any super market. It has a teepee on the front of it. It runs about $2 a box. Replace the can with a cheap peice of super market tuperware style plastic ware. A big one will cost about $3-$4. For my cathode plate I use a piece of SS sheet I have had around the shop forever, but SS heat treaters foil works great also. You can get that from almost all of the online knifemakers supply houses. You may also want to pick up some ti or SS wire for racking the parts. Its OK for the copper clamp to touch the bath but it will start to get eaten after a while.

I am using a 0-300vDC power supply at about 2mA. My stuff is fully colored in about 5sec. BTW the top of the color range ends at about 140 volts, if you go any higher the ti will turn black and it will start to chip.

Also replace that fuse with a breaker. You should be able to find one in the right size at Radio Shack or any other store that sells micro electronics hardware.

Oh, and the cathode (-) should be the plate in the bath, the anode (+) is the piece of ti. So the "hot" whould be the one your holding. Your current was backwards. You were trying to take away from the ti and add to the can.
 
R.W.
I have done what you said and I'll be darned....It worked great!
Thank you for your reply. Do you happen to know the voltage required to acheive each color? I have done some experimenting but have not been able to achieve consistent colors.
 
I also started using Coke but was convinced to go to TSP and it works much better. You can see the color change which is great. Every unit is different and you will have to experiment until you dial in your own unit. I use a glass jar that I can put a lid on when I'm done. Haven't had to add or change much TSP in the last 6 months. I use pure Ti as my piece that goes into the bath. I also use some of that black plastic gutter mesh that you can see through to insulate the inside of the jar. (You never want to touch the leads or pieces together! Would be a very shocking expierance!)

Also start with the dial set real low and slooowly move it up. I have a reactive metals unit and get my colors in the 20 to 40 range.When you get what you think is the color you have already probably gone past what you wanted. :) It takes time and practice to get the desired results. You also have to rinse it off alot and dry it to get the real color to come out.

Oil effects color also meaning if it gets handled alot the oil in your hands will dull out the color. To restore it to it's orginal color I use Blue windsheid washer fluid on a soft cotton rag (old tee shirt) and wipe it down, blow it dry and it looks great again!

Also I will relay some of my findings and mistakes to try to save you time and trouble. About a 400 grit satin finish works about the best for me. If you go higher on the grit or polish it the color will not last very long (looks great at first). Sand/bead blasting also gives different looking colors that are a little softer to look at but last a while longer and will have almost a pastey or pastel look to them. If you intend to carry a knife alot with colored Ti make sure the color is on an area that doesn't rub alot in normal use, like the liners. The bolsters will wear in time and get a polished Ti look, usually around the corners.

Hope this helps. :)
 
Tom,
You are right I never received it. For some reason I haven't been getting email or when i do get it, it is a day or 2 after it has been sent.

Thank you for the link. I remember reading this a while back but couldn't remember the link.
Thanks guys!!
 
Nitre Blueing salts work well for anodizing and Rainy Valton says he uses ordinary table salt to anodize with.
 
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