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Does titanium have any special properties which aer only to titanium?

I would be interested in finding out any properties which titanium holds over other metals which is only for titanium. I am trying to make a new type of tennis raquet and believe that titanium or an alloy may be the answer?
Would Titanium have something specifically better with using it say against Aluminium? Maybe something that people only would know when they have used Titanium metal.

Also where would I find out what alloys of titanium I could use?

I'm a metallurgist, and sorry to burst your bubble.

I've made many components from titanium, even some similar to tennis rackets.

Titanium has two specific areas where it surpasses all other metals: corrosion resistance (in certain environments), and tensile strength to density ratio in the range of temperatures between 500°F and about 800°F (such as jet engine compressor blades).

So, unless your racket needs superior corrosion resistance to aluminum (it doesn't), or the racket will be operating above 500°F (it won't), you will be able to make a superior racket from aluminum.

Aluminum has a higher strength to density ratio than titanium (if you pick the strongest aluminum alloy). You can look this up, but I'm saving you the time.

There are two general classes of titanium: alloyed and unalloyed (or Commercially Pure (CP)). CP titanium forms readily, but isn't the strongest alloy (it may bend if you hit the racket hard enough). The titanium alloys are stronger and resist bending, but this creates a problem: how are YOU going to form the racket?

The answer is: alloyed titaniums can be formed at high temperatures (above about 1600°F). Obviously, this is going to increase the cost - so you really need to think through how many of these very expensive rackets you can sell.

If you want to try out what I'm saying, call up your local welding shop (you'll need a good one), and as for two types of TIG welding rods in the same diameter (ask for 1/8" diameter): one unalloyed (CP) rod, and one alloyed rod (probably they have 6Al 4V titanium rods). They won't cost very much; just take them and bend them in your hands. You'll see that the CP rod is fairly soft - maybe too soft for a racket? The alloyed rod is harder to bend.

Then you have to get down to the design: Do you make the racket solid or hollow? How to fabricate the handle and frame, etc. Do you weld them together? Welding titanium is an art because you need to make fixtures to provide complete inert gas shielding, etc. etc. etc.

What this is all coming down to: yes, you CAN make the racket, but it is going to be extremely expensive, and honestly won't be as strong as an aluminum racket. Remember that titanium excels in corrosion resistance and medium temperature tensile strength, neither of which you are taking advantage of.

OK, so now that has all been said, titanium is a really cool material: can you market it? I'm going to take a guess, it would cost (all told) about $40,000 USD to make your first racket, and each copy could be made for about, oh, say, ~$2000 USD in quantity 10. You'd need to mark it up to about $4000 for retail, but if you've got a lot of Donald Trump customers, it is certainly doable.

If you're in this class, look into super-plastic forming/diffusion bonding - it would lower your cost if you can sell in the 20-50 unit range. There is a shop in San Diego, CA that takes on this kind of work commercially. You can make a completely hollow racket in alloyed titanium with this technology for very light weight, (even lighter than solid aluminum) but it is going to cost some $$. It only makes economic sense if you can sell some rackets to rich customers that are looking for the exotic.

If you decide to look into aluminum, try 7075 alloy. It is the strongest, but is not weldable, and doesn't anodize as well as some of the other alloys.

Keep in mind you're going to have marketing costs, unless you've already got your customers identified.

The key customers for titanium are chemical process companies (that are processing nitric acid for example, and need excellent corrosion resistance), jet engine manufactures (for the compressor blades that operate in those mid-range temperatures), and the military where they need the ultimate in power to weight (at any expense).

There is one more thing: titanium metal is not that expensive - it is approximately twice the cost of stainless steel; it is the unique and specialized forming processes that increase the cost.

Aluminium Alloy Sports Tennis Racket Racquet with Cover $33.49 Description:This is a solid Alloy Tennis Racquet the string is tight and strong.Ultra-light swing weight maximizes maneuverability, while super-stiff construction maximizes power on any stroke.It features plastic handle, aluminium alloy frame with carbon fiber cross net string materials.This Aluminium Tennis Racquet is in very good condition and provides great performance.Frame stabilizers for control and accuracy.The Sports Tennis Racket comes with a cover for easy to carry.Head size: 345 x 265mm(L*W)String strain: 55-65lbsBalance: 350+/-5 mmRacket Weight: 320-330gGrip length: 183mmTotal length: 690mmTotal Weight: 565.4gPackage Included:1 x Tennis Racjet Racquet1 x Racquet cover

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Alloy Frame Tennis Racquet Racket with 4 Inch Grip $22.49 Description:This is a solid Alloy Tennis Racket, the string is tight and strong.Ultra-light swing weight maximizes maneuverability, while super-stiff construction maximizes power on any stroke.It features alloy frame with plastic handle.This Alloy Tennis Racquet is in very good condition and provides great performance.Frame stabilizers for control and accuracy.The Tennis Racket comes with a cover for easy to carry.Overall Length: ~26 1/8"Grip Size: 4"Handle length: 7 1/4"Racquet Weight: 283gTotal Weight: 461gPackage Included:1 x Tennis Racquet1 x Carrying Cover

4 Inch Grip Alloy Tennis Racket Racquet with Cover $22.49 Description:This is a solid Alloy Tennis Racket, the string is tight and strong.Ultra-light swing weight maximizes maneuverability, while super-stiff construction maximizes power on any stroke.It features alloy frame with plastic handle.This Alloy Tennis Racquet is in very good condition and provides great performance.Frame stabilizers for control and accuracy.The 4 Tennis Racket comes with a cover for easy to carry.Overall Length: ~26 3/16"Grip Size: 4"Racquet Weight: 278gTotal Weight: 413gColor of the racquet may comes in different color depends on our stock.Package Included:1 x 4 Tennis Racquet1 x Racquet cover

7 1/4 Inch Grip Alloy Tennis Racket Racquet w/ Cover $31.49 Description:7 1/4 Inch Grip Alloy Tennis Racket Racquet w/ Cover.This is a solid Tennis Racket Racquet, the string is tight and strong.Ultra-light swing weight maximizes maneuverability, while super-stiff construction maximizes power on any stroke.It features alloy frame with plastic handle.This Alloy Tennis Racket is in very good condition and provides great performance.Frame stabilizers for control and accuracy.The Tennis Racket comes with a cover for easy to carry.Tennis Racquet with Cover for tennis sports lover.Color: picture showOverall Length: 27 1/4 inchesGrip Size: 7 1/4 InchWide: 10 1/2 inchesRacquet Weight: 317.4gTotal Weight: 557.8g Package Included:1 x 7 1/4 Grip Tennis Racket1 x Racquet cover with shoulder strap

Tennis $9.79 Tennis

7 1/8 Inch Grip Tennis Sports Racket Alloy Racquet $24.49 Description:7 1/8 Inch Grip Tennis Sports Racket Alloy Racquet.This is a solid Tennis Sports Racket, the string is tight and strong.Ultra-light swing weight maximizes maneuverability, while super-stiff construction maximizes power on any stroke.It features alloy frame with plastic handle.This Alloy Sports Racket is in very good condition and provides great performance.Frame stabilizers for control and accuracy.The 7 1/8 inch Grip Racket comes with a cover for easy to carry.Comes with Cover for tennis sports lover.Color: picture showOverall Length: 26 inchesGrip Size: 7 1/8 InchWide: 10 7/8 inchesRacquet Weight: 271gTotal Weight: 443.4gPackage Included:1 x Tennis Racket Racquet1 x Racquet cover with shoulder strap

Alloy $13.49 Alloy

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Three Layers Ladies' Rhinestone Wedding Tennis In Silver Alloy $9.99 Bracelet Style: Tennis Gender: Ladies' Occasion: Wedding, Gift, Party Stone Type: Rhinestone Metal Type: Alloy Metal Color: Silver Stone Color: Multicolor Width: 0.39 quot;(Approx.1cm) Diameter: 1.97 quot;(Approx.5cm) Closure Type: No Clasp Tips: Color amp; Style representation may vary by monitor. Not responsible for typographical or pictorial errors Net Weight: 0.08Kg Shipping Weight: 0.1Kg Processing Time: 4-10 business days Shipping Time: 3-8 business days

Black And Clear Ladies' Rhinestone Wedding Tennis In Silver Alloy $4.99 Bracelet Style: Tennis Gender: Ladies' Occasion: Wedding, Gift, Party Stone Type: Rhinestone Metal Type: Alloy Metal Color: Silver Stone Color: Clear, Black Diameter: 1.97 quot;(Approx.5cm) Closure Type: No Clasp Tips: Color amp; Style representation may vary by monitor. Not responsible for typographical or pictorial errors Net Weight: 0.02Kg Shipping Weight: 0.05Kg Processing Time: 4-10 business days Shipping Time: 3-8 business days

Two Layers Black And Clear Ladies' Rhinestone Wedding Tennis In Silver Alloy $7.99 Bracelet Style: Tennis Gender: Ladies' Occasion: Wedding, Gift, Party Stone Type: Rhinestone Metal Type: Alloy Metal Color: Silver Stone Color: Clear, Black Diameter: 1.97 quot;(Approx.5cm) Closure Type: No Clasp Tips: Color amp; Style representation may vary by monitor. Not responsible for typographical or pictorial errors Net Weight: 0.05Kg Shipping Weight: 0.1Kg Processing Time: 4-10 business days Shipping Time: 3-8 business days

Four Layers Ladies' Rhinestone Tennis Bracelet In Silver Alloy $18.99 Bracelet Style: Tennis Gender: Ladies' Occasion: Wedding, Engagement, Gift Stone Type: Rhinestone Metal Type: Alloy Metal Color: Silver Stone Color: Clear Width: 0.78 quot;(Approx.2cm) Diameter: 1.97 quot;(Approx.5cm) Closure Type: Spring Ring Tips: Color amp; Style representation may vary by monitor. Not responsible for typographical or pictorial errors Net Weight: 0.1Kg Shipping Weight: 0.15Kg Processing Time: 4-10 business days Shipping Time: 3-8 business days

Five Layers Ladies' Rhinestone Tennis Bracelet In Silver Alloy $18.99 Bracelet Style: Tennis Gender: Ladies' Occasion: Wedding, Engagement, Gift Stone Type: Rhinestone Metal Type: Alloy Metal Color: Silver Stone Color: Clear Width: 0.78 quot;(Approx.2cm) Diameter: 1.97 quot;(Approx.5cm) Closure Type: Spring Ring Tips: Color amp; Style representation may vary by monitor. Not responsible for typographical or pictorial errors Net Weight: 0.1Kg Shipping Weight: 0.15Kg Processing Time: 4-10 business days Shipping Time: 3-8 business days

Three Layers Ladies' Rhinestone Tennis Bracelet In Silver Alloy $19.99 Bracelet Style: Tennis Gender: Ladies' Occasion: Wedding, Engagement, Gift Stone Type: Rhinestone Metal Type: Alloy Metal Color: Silver Stone Color: Clear Width: 0.39 quot;(Approx.1cm) Diameter: 1.97 quot;(Approx.5cm) Closure Type: Spring Ring Tips: Color amp; Style representation may vary by monitor. Not responsible for typographical or pictorial errors Net Weight: 0.1Kg Shipping Weight: 0.15Kg Processing Time: 4-10 business days Shipping Time: 3-8 business days

Team Great Britain Tennis Racket and Ball. $19.99 This Team Great Britain tennis racquet and ball includes a ; head cover and tennis ball. Aluminium alloy frame.EAN/MPN/UPC/ISBN: 5037970006003.

Stretchy Crystal Tennis Bracelet $29.99 Bracelet Style: Tennis Gender: Ladies' Occasion: Anniversary, Engagement, Birthday, Gift, Party Stone Type: Rhinestone Metal Type: Alloy Metal Color: Silver Stone Color: Clear Processing Time: 4-10 business days Shipping Time: 3-8 business days

SSBB HackAttack 5: Alloy Battle

How to avoid incorrect ring size and uncomfortable fit – Precious tips – art. 1

Often deceived by excitement, when purchasing fine jewelry, the customer tend to overlook important issues concerning value, aesthetic merit, comfortable fit and style compatibility. The “Precious Tips†series of articles are aimed to provide practical inside information on such topics, thus arming the jewelry enthusiasts with essential knowledge before they reach for their credit cards. The advice given in these articles is not sale orientated and 100% customer supportive.

Take your time to get the size right. Keep in mind that your finger size changes depending on whether your hands are cold or hot. Different fingers change differently but it is an average of half size (UK standard). There is little difference between two neighboring sizes, so when your jeweler gives you the size set make sure you try few sizes up and down from the first one that fits. Do this until you are really sure which one feels best. Don’t ask the jeweler to take your finger size – do it yourself. No one else can feel the ring on your finger for you. If you are in doubt, consider the weather. In hot weather your finger swells, so choose the tighter fit and vice versa. Bear in mind that it is easier and safer to most designs to be resized up rather than down. Resized piece however, is never the same, especially when it contents pave or channel set small stones. Reducing such a ring even one size is likely to loosen the setting and cause problems. Delicate rings, wedding bands and bangles are usually work hardened after the last hot operation, especially items in palladium white gold .This very important for the strength of the piece procedure is annulled, if the piece is heated again in the process of resizing. If the piece contents an important, expensive stone then the resizing becomes really problematic. There are number of designs (Niessing’s tension set solitaire comes first in mind) which are impossible to resize. In short: avoid resizing your jewelry, unnecessary. Take your time and choose the right size first time.

Another issue concerning the right fit is the finger shape. There are two types that require special attention. The conical finger and the one with excessively big knuckles.

The conical finger is very much one size fits all scenario. Because of almost non pronounced knuckle up to 4 consecutive ring sizes feel comfortable.The problem is: this type of finger is not safe for heavy designs, which can easy slip off or fly away with sudden move of the hand. I will recommend lighter designs or use of full or half spring. (see below)

The big knuckles require fairly large size ring to pass trough and end up on the following thinner part of the finger where it is hopelessly loose. The full spring is the best solution of this problem.

The full spring is a strip of special gold alloy fitted inside the shank of the ring which is expanding while passing the knuckle an then contracts back,†hugging†the thinner part of the finger and keeping the ring in place. While full spring takes about ¾ of the inner circumference of the shank, half spring goes halfway.

Full springs are surprisingly comfortable and effective and yet seldom used. Unfortunately they can’t be implemented on any design especially the very delicate ones. Another draw back is that fitting a spring requires some time and skill and the jeweler will be happy if he can skip it. Large number of inexperienced goldsmiths and designers does not even know about it. In my opinion full spring is a must for heavy rings with high standing large stones. If fitting full or half spring is not a viable option, soldering two small (about 1.5 mm gold beads inside the ring at 4 and 8 o’clock position will significantly reduce the swivel and self position the ring. The initial discomfort one might feel because of the two little beads inside the ring usually disappears after 2-3 days of wearing.

One common problem is the right positioning of half or ¾ studded diamond wedding rings. They tend to always turn and expose the unstudded side up. If the wedding ring is worn next to a engagement ring it is a simple and reversible procedure to tack solder them together at the back. That will perfectly position the diamond band and it will make it more difficult to loose. In fact I will recommend this procedure for any wedding-engagement ring set. If the two rings are needed apart for some ceremony the joining can be done later and as I mentioned is completely reversible if properly done.

About the Author

Vasco Kirov is an experienced designer and master goldsmith with vast knowledge in every aspect concerning fine jewelry. He have been awarded a number of prestigious design awards for excellence in diamond jewelry design. Currently he is still designing and manufacturing high end jewelry in his studio in Cape Town, South Africa. To access many useful articles on the jewelry topic visit http://www.jewelgateway.com

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