Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: katieHaylor on 12/09/2017 09:28:43

Title: Does titanium conduct electricity?
Post by: katieHaylor on 12/09/2017 09:28:43

Linda wants to know:

Can electricity pass through titanium?

What do you think?

Title: Re: Does titanium conduct electricity?
Post by: evan_au on 12/09/2017 12:49:40

Yes, pure Titanium metal is a conductor, similar to steel or lead.

So it's not a really good conductor (like silver, copper or aluminium), but it is still classified as a conductor.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_resistivity_and_conductivity#Resistivity_and_conductivity_of_various_materials

Note that most compounds of Titanium (like Titanium Oxide) are insulators. When exposed to air, Titanium forms a protective layer of Titanium Oxide, which protects it from corrosion. This means that if Titanium has been exposed to the air, it might look like an insulator unless you scrape through the oxide layer.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium#Chemical_properties

Aluminium is similar - it is a good conductor, and has been used for electrical power wiring in some places; but if oxygen gets into a joint, it can form a high resistence, potentially starting a fire.

Why do you need to know?

Title: Re: Does titanium conduct electricity?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 12/09/2017 18:32:58

As a metal, it is an inherant characteristic of it

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallic_bonding

Read this it explains alot.

Title: Re: Does titanium conduct electricity?
Post by: chiralSPO on 13/09/2017 14:41:15

Titanium is used as a material for making electrodes because of its relatively low cost, decent conductivity, and high corrosion resistance.