[Jewelry making - Article 00104] - Re: [Orchid] Titanium colouring

[Reactive Metals]

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    Well, you ask a lot here. Most of this is in "Studio Preparation and
    Coloring of Titanium" available from RMS <reactivemetals.com>. Heat
    coloring is not an exact science. Anodizing is pretictable. With
    heat you have too many variables to say when or how long it will
    take to get a color. 

>     What is the better way to clean the surface before colouring? 

    Best is chemically. HF and nitric acids. You do not want to do it!
    VERY DANGEROUS chemicals. RMS has a "MultiEtch" product that does
    pretty well. Otherwise ScotchBrite is good and store in water until
    you are ready to color. And keep it absolutely clean, wear gloves! 

>     Is there any material i could use for "masking" some parts? 

    Any thing that won't burn. Even particles of metal sprinkled on the
    surface. Clay, ocher, white out..... 

>         What material can i use for holding up the piece, that wont
>     melt, dissipate much heat or create different colors (because of
>     the temperature) on the piece? 

    Make some trivets from titanium sheet or hang from a wire.. That is
    probably the best you can do. 

>     Does anyone have a chart with the temperatures for coloring
>     titanium in a kiln? 

    It will depend on your kiln, preheating, the thickness of the
    titanium and how it is held. Make your own chart based the equipment
    you are using. It is a time/temperature relationship. Very difficult
    to control. 

>     Any tips for achieving an even colour when torch coloring? 

    Practice. 

>         What is the effect when you re-heat a piece that has already
>     been colored (like, lets say, magenta temperature)? Will it
>     continue oxidizing to the next levels of colour? 

    The oxides gets thicker, changing the color to the higher
    temperature level. So, yes, you can grow it to the next highest.
    Never back to a lower. 

>     In that case, how can i get different oxidizing colours on the same
>     piece? 

    Use a flex shaft, engraver, sand paper, whatever, to remove the
    color and do a lower temperature/time color in the fresh metal. You
    must remove the color and maybe some surface metal to get back to
    clean material. Oxygen is absorbed into the surface of the metal. It
    may look clean but color uneven due to surface absorption. 

    With heat, you get what you get. It is serendipity. Play, have fun
    with it but try not to get too serious. Then when you get really
    frustrated try anodizing. It makes all the control you are asking
    for so much easier.Bill

    Welcome to Reactive Metals Studio, Inc. Our catalog site is
    <www.reactivemetals.com>. Thanks for making contact. Stephanie, Bill,
    Deborah, Michele. 800/876-3434, 928/634-3434, Fax 928/634-6734 


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