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Aaarrgg - cleaning titanium for welding - HELP!

I would like information on dips (or ?) that might clean pure titanium in preparation for welding. I am currently abrasive cleaning (sanding) the material but this is extremely labor intensive. Sure would like to find an easy method of cleaning that is environmentally friendly.

Bill Cottrell
Iron Memories - Tenino, Washington

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You fail to say what the size or shape is. Blind guesses could be bead blasting, tumbling or nitric hydrofluoric dip. (ammonium bifluoride could be used to reduce the handling of the extremely nasty HF acid) The dip is nasty! It requires an exhaust system and should have a neutralizing fume scrubber on it. It leaves the Ti bright as a new dime but you can not put the village idiot on it and not expect to have significant problems. If you do not currently handle chemicals, I would avoid it as it requires special haz training and DOT training. Depending on the state/town/county, the paperwork can be killing - not to mention fines. One of the first two guesses would probably work the best. James Watts
- Navarre, Florida