First:
Titanium is non-magnetic.
If
a magnet sticks, then no. I always carry a neodymium magnet for scrap yards and
estate sales.
Are
there any grade markings on it?
If so, there are many that might mean titanium
in its many grades and alloys. Most alloys can be anodized. I usually Google
the numbers to see what variation of what grade I find in scrap yards. Many
different specifications exist for chemically/commercially pure titanium,
depending on sub percentage trace elements (mostly oxygen) and what
certifications it has received (mil-spec, medical, etc).
File
or sand off an edge to be sure you are looking at the bare metal. It should be
a shiny dark silver. Compare it to a piece of (freshly scratched) aluminum; it
should be much darker. If the fresh metal is a different color, then, no.
Does
it anodize to color? If you can get to a bare piece of metal, just apply a
moist cathode (paper towel) to the positive-attached metal. 9v should do to get
a slight tan tinge. 18v (2 9v batteries) will take you to dark violet.
Note:Niobium and tantalum will color the same way. But they are heavier
and softer and more expensive.
File
or sand off an edge to be sure you are looking at the bare metal. It should be
a shiny dark silver. Compare it to a piece of (freshly scratched) aluminum; it
should be much darker. If the fresh metal is a different color, then, no.
Does
it anodize to color? If you can get to a bare piece of metal, just apply a
moist cathode (paper towel) to the positive-attached metal. 9v should do to get
a slight tan tinge. 18v (2 9v batteries) will take you to dark violet.
Note:Niobium and tantalum will color the same way. But they are heavier
and softer and more expensive.
If
you touch it to a typical rotary hard grinder, the sparks should be bright
blue-white.
If
you have a way to measure its specific gravity (ratio of weight to volume,
water is 1.0 g/cc) then you have another good test.
Titanium and its alloys range closely around 4.5 g/cc.
Aluminum is noticeably lighter (2.7 g/cc),
Iron and steel are distinctly heavier (7.8 g/cc).
Tantalum is much heavier (16 g/cc).
Niobium is about the same as brass (8.5 g.cc)
Copper, bronze, and brass are up to 9 g/cc, but you’ve already eliminated
them by color.
If
you have samples of steel and aluminum in the same size range, the relative
weight is easy to check.
Shavings
of titanium (from drilling or milling) burn much as magnesium strip does.
Shield your eyes if you resort to this test. btw: Magnesium is much lighter in
weight (1.7 g/cc)
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