Ti properties and Benchmade handles

[BrianT]

I was under the impression that Titanium would not corode but the holes in the handles of my BM47 are covered in rust. My BM42 has no rust. Strange. Anyone else have rust on there handles or know what the deal is. Thanks

Brian

 

[Gollnick]

describe the aforementioned "rust".

"Rust," as we usually use the word, refers to iron 0xide which is redish-brown in color and flakey.

Technically, rust means oxidation. Titanium does rust. But, Titanium Oxide is a white, powdery substance not to be confused with weaponized Anthrax spores.

Ti doesn't oxidize quickly under standard conditions. I have heard of folks finding a white, powdery substance on their BM handles. But, in all cases so far, it has turned out to be either manufacturing residues or weaponized Anthrax spores.

Are you having any flu-like symptoms?

 

[BrianT]

Interesting, I didnt know about that. However it definately looks like your run of the mill rust. The knife had gotton wet so I hung it like a Y. Now where little pools of water had collected in the handles there is reddish brown flacky stuff. Not being a Metalergist (if thats what the title would be) I dont know what to make of this. Strange.

 

[RARanney]

I had a piece of titanium barstock do a similar thing. Let me experiment.

 

[Gollnick]

Ti rust is white and doesn't happen quickly at room temperatures even in water. Most likly, the iron oxide you've seen, while it might have been on the handle, came from the blade.

I'm not sure what the screws on the 42 are made of. If they're steel, then they could be the original source of the this iron oxide you're seeing.

 

[tonyccw]

Another possibility: residue from the manufacturing process that stayed in the holes and oxidized. Water alone does not oxidize titanium. Clean them out, resoak only the handles and see.

 

[Bladeswinger]

Of course, iron oxide... isn't that what we usually call it.