How to oxidize titanium? (update with results)

shaynster

shaynster

Joined
Dec 24, 2009
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I found this pic on the forums and would like to try it. The owner of the pic said he oxidized it. Anyone know how to oxidized titanium?

Thanks,
Shayn

 
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I don't think it's heat anodized because it would be a lot less uniform. My guess was electric simply be a use of how consistent the color is.
 
He said oxidized, not anodized. I remember people asking (maybe even me) how he oxidized the titanium in the thread. It was awhile ago. I guess he never answered.
 
joeymoey said:
He said oxidized, not anodized. I remember people asking (maybe even me) how he oxidized the titanium in the thread. It was awhile ago. I guess he never answered.
Click to expand...

Anodizing is oxidizing. It is not an alternative finish to oxidizing. Anodizing is just a process that oxidizes the titanium in a very controlled form. In both cases the titanium develops a layer of titanium oxide on the surface. I'm guessing the oxy-clean produces an nonuniform oxide layer that does not refract light at a specific wavelength, in other words, no color.
 
Well I gave it a shot and here are the results. It looks a little darker in person, but not as dark as I was hoping.

 
Having done three knives with the Oxiclean treatment, I have experienced a pretty substantial amount of variability. The first two knives I did were a CRK Starbenza and Startac. Those scales had been previously scotchbrited and after about 40 minutes they came out a gorgeous, rich chocolate brown.

However, when I did my Hoback Kwaiback midtech last night, after three baths at 45 minutes each it only took a very, very light bronze color. I'm at a loss as to why it it was barely oxidizing. They were both prepped the same way.
 
It's not a full answer, but the scale finish will influence how dark it appears. I've never tried oxyclean, but with anodizing, for example if i anodize a beadblaster knife and a polished knife at the same voltage, the latter will appear brighter.
 
Perhaps you are experiencing differences in finish due to differing titanium alloys.
 
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