Sourcing titanium

[Stoo]

Hi everyone, I'm only a few years into my pyro journey and as you can see, only a recent member but I have been visiting this forum regularly and am forever grateful for the information I've gleened from these pages, thanks from the very tips of my ten fingers! Anyway, fortunately/unfortunately I'm in Aus and therefore access to materials is difficult but I'm fairly resourceful and creative but finding Titanium has got me a bit stumped. The only local source I've found so far is apparently a Titanium\Zirconium mix sold for indoor spark effects machines, unfortunately I can't find much more information about it than that and I'd like to keep those aforementioned fingers, I love my guitar too! I'm hoping someone might know if this stuff will work. Firstly I'm looking to add titanium sparks to my hand rammed fairy fountains as to Loyds recipe, I love 'em! 🤗 aluminium is ok but it's not titanium and of course I'd love to add some crackly sparkle to my gerbs and stars. Thanks again and I wish everyone all the best in these interesting times.

[stix]

I purchased Ti sponge from this mob a few years ago: https://auschems.com/index.php/

 

Doesn't look like they stock it any more. Might be worth a phone call. In any case, the so-called Ti sponge was ferric - it was magnetic. Wasn't what I asked for? Dunno.

 

Not sure what else you could do. But buy a bar of of pure Titanium?

 

If you were local I could let you have some - it might work for what you are after. I might have some Ti shavings (I'm sure I do). It's been a few years, just let me know.

 

Cheers.

[Stoo]

Hi Stix, thanks for your reply. Yes I've ordered from auschems before but was wary of that sponge because I'm hand ramming. He seemed to be missing a few things when I checked recently. I'd really appreciate some titanium shavings, hoping your near Melbourne

[stix]

Yep I'm near Melbourne. Outer Eastern suburbs.

Give some time to check to make sure. I can't think of any other metal shavings I would have.

 

Give me a nudge tomorrow or so, just in case I've forgotten about it.

[stix]

Well, I just had a bit of a gander, and nup.!!! I have Magnesium turnings. God knows why - must have been on special???

 

I've got some Ferro-titanium which should have been just Ti. Might be useful for the effect that you want.?

 

Cheers.

[Stoo]

Crikey Stix! I wish things like that turned up when I "gander" at my stock Thanks very much! I'd like to try the mysterious Ferro-Ti, it'll probably be what pushes me to make a press...another rabbit hole . What's the best way to contact you? P.M? I'm pretty inexperienced with this internet forum busines

Cheers,

Stoo

[stix]

Just PM me, and I'll give you my mobile number.

[Stoo]

Great thanks Stix, I'll be in touch.

 

...still curious about that zirconium-titanium though... Does anyone know the exact composition of this stuff? One machine that uses it is called a "Sparkular" but there are a few others. Without knowing exactly what's in it I'd never use it though.

[al93535]

Sparkular machines,a pretty interesting device.

 

Anyways, I screened quite a few samples and did some testing on thier powder about 2 years ago. It's a decent quality titanium/zirconium alloy to aid ignition. I believe it was 50/50.

 

Pure titanium sponge did not Ingite in thier machine. So thier powder does light easier. I was trying to provide them with a much much cheaper alternative to the powder they were using. In the end, only that specific alloy will work in those machines.

 

The Large pack of granules produced about a 15' to 18' plume and was mainly - 40+50 mesh.

The size smaller was 10' or so and used mainly - 50+60 mesh.

[Arthur]

On UK ebay there are several suppliers of Titanium sheet rod and bar stock probably aimed at model makers. These companies must have a business need for titanium to have scrap to sell so may have turnings or shavings somewhere in their factory. Perhaps, maybe you could find a similar route to a selection of titanium machining waste in your locality..