Backpacking and Hiking Forum - Backpackers' Basecamp

matus
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Posts: 6

Titanium vs. Chinezium Cook&Drink Ware question Oct 30, 2017 5:42:14 GMT -8

Post by matus on Oct 30, 2017 5:42:14 GMT -8

Hi Folks,

I have a question and I guess it will not have an easy answer. Let me start it with a story:

Quite time ago I bought expensive titanium pot by Evernew (Japan), some other items by Vargo(USA or unknown metal origin), and some local Alb (Czech) cookware items. All these 3 companies have titanium that changes color by temperature.

Later on I purchased some Toaks (China made -educated guess) and some unknown brand mug(China for sure).
These items will not change color by temperature (remain gray) and when heated up in regular camp fire they start to flex&melt. (of course testing purposes no boiling water atc.)

Please note regular camp fire by burning wood should be at max temps 1100C (2012F) titanium melting temp is 1700C ( 3092F)

Items listed firs have no such a issue, this leads me to a conclusion cheap "titanium" from China is some kind of alloy ?

it should not be aluminium alloy it would melt at 660C 1200F, but what is it? I have no clue.

If anyone has any opinions about these cheap Titanium alloys, health wise or even better content wise please let me know.

Thanks.

jazzmom
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a.k.a. TigerFan

Posts: 3,066

Titanium vs. Chinezium Cook&Drink Ware question Oct 30, 2017 6:43:27 GMT -8 johntpenca likes this

Post by jazzmom on Oct 30, 2017 6:43:27 GMT -8

Pretty sure Toaks claims their pots are made from grade 1 or 2 Titanium, which is supposed to be "pure" (I believe grades 1-4 are the non-alloy grades.)

There are various Titanium alloys, made with small percentages of aluminum, vanadium, and some others. Being an alloy doesn't necessarily make it cheap or inferior. Titanium medical implants (screws, plates, etc.) are made from alloys.

We don't generally have a lot of materials experts posting here but Backpackinglight.com does. May want to ask your question there.

johntpenca
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Posts: 4,650

Titanium vs. Chinezium Cook&Drink Ware question Oct 30, 2017 6:48:33 GMT -8

Post by johntpenca on Oct 30, 2017 6:48:33 GMT -8

I really can't help with this one except to say my Ti MSR kettle has blued a bit in the bottom where the stove flame hits it, and shows no sign of any deformation.

I'm not a metalurgist and the only Ti thing I still use regularly is the MSR kettle which I only use to boil water.

You might want to post this on backpacking light where the members are more anal. edit: jazzmom got there first.

We all control, by decision or indecision, where we are. - Royal Robbins

matus
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Posts: 6

Titanium vs. Chinezium Cook&Drink Ware question Oct 30, 2017 7:05:22 GMT -8

Post by matus on Oct 30, 2017 7:05:22 GMT -8

thanks for grades info, searched for it a bit truth 1-4 should be non alloy, 5- most world used also known as Ti6Al4V, Ti-6Al-4V or Ti 6-4
+ other grades 6-36 well.. I will study a bit may be ask manufacturers later. Property wise alloy can be (usually is) superior, but not the health wise, in some cases.