Answers Your Questions

Category: About the Jewelry of MrTitanium

Q: Is titanium really hypoallergenic?

Yes. Titanium is safer than gold alloys, silver, or platinum for sensitive skin. Titanium is a preferred metal for prosthetic implants because of its unsurpassed inert properties.
You cannot be allergic to titanium!

Q: Do you make rings?

No. See my Links Page for artists and studios that do.
I prefer to play with the colorful surface finishes. Rings take so much abuse that any surface, no matter how hard, will wear away.

Category: Anodizing

Q: What electrolyte solution recipe do you use to anodize titanium?

I've used TSP, Borax, or even baking soda. Stay away from table salt, ice-melt, or other chlorides and fluorides. I've had mixed results with Nitrates. "It's not rocket science." Just about any ionic aqueous solution should work.
Tip: Keep the concentration below halfway to saturated to avoid crystallization on the surface. I keep a bottle of saturated solution (water with enough of the solid chemical that it won't all dissolve) and dilute 1 part of that with between 5 and 10 of water before using. (10% - 20% solution)
For many years I used tap water, but I've discovered that distilled water is definitely better. The chlorine and minerals in tap water build up as the solution evaporates over time.
The electrolyte chemical is not used up by the process; it just carries the charge so that the water can be broken down to leave its oxygen on the titanium surface.

Q: Is it dangerous to anodize titanium?

It can be. You have electrodes with up to 130 volts between them. Even a properly grounded anodizer can deliver a deadly shock. If you stay aware of where the electrodes are at all times, and/or wear rubber gloves, it is not really dangerous. I've been shocked once in 20 years; a minor zap.

Q: When I anodize, I find that my Ti hook gets all cruddy (most likely because of the TSP (not phosphate free) and the lack of distilled water), and I was wondering what you do to avoid such a thing?

My guess is that your "crud" is mineral build-up. Use a more dilute electrolyte solution and try to find a source of distilled water (less than a buck a gallon at most grocery stores).

Q: Do you have an enlarged, more detailed color guide than the scaled MrTitanium logo on your How to Anodize page?

No. Your best color guide is one you make yourself. The color depends somewhat on the electrolyte chemical and concentration, the smoothness of the current, and the surface finish.
If you make your own guide, then you will be sure of the relationship between color and voltage for your system. I only display the one online as a general guideline

Category: Anodizers (Building or finding)

Q: Where can I get an anodizer?

If you have money, order one from Reactive Metals. Tell them I sent you.
If you have (access to) electrical know-how, try building one yourself. I have basic instructions and guidelines here

Q: Isn't it dangerous to build an anodizer?

Yes, if you have to ask that question. It's as dangerous as replacing a light switch or ceiling fan.
If built improperly, dangerous voltages could be exposed just about anywhere. The large capacitor can easily hold enough power to electrocute a small family.
But, if you understand the polarity of a full-bridge rectifier, the relationship between voltage and current, the difference between grounding and shielding, and know a DPDT from a light switch, this project is within your grasp.
See my How to build an Anodizer page

Category: Other

Q: I've seen "black" titanium. What is that, and can you make it?

"Black titanium" is titanium with a coated surface. It usually is G23 titanium, which is called "pure" by some marketing materials I saw, but really is an alloy with 6% Aluminum and 4% Vanadium in it. (read about titanium grades). Alloys are generally harder and stronger than pure titanium.
I believe that the black coating chemical is titanium-aluminum-nitride. It is even tougher than anodized titanium oxide because it is applied as a thicker coating.
I don't have the vacuum chamber and vapor-deposition equipment necessary to produce this surface.

Q: What's your return policy?

I do have a return policy posted here. Many items are made to order, especially the chains. So I charge a restocking fee by default. But I often waive that fee for exchanges or easily resellable items.

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