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My materials science professor always used ring as an example in intro to matse classes of what not to do with titanium. His point was that if you ever get int

My materials science professor always used ring as an example in intro to matse classes of what not to do with titanium. His point was that if you ever get into an accident and the first responders have to cut your ring for whatever reason (MRI machine, etc.), literally none of their tools would be able to do that on a titanium ring. None of the tools in hospital would work either. It may not always be feasible to pull it out the usual way. Take it as you will.

debatem1 3y ago
Unfortunately, this is an urban legend. While titanium is amazing stuff a normal ring cutter can go through it.
phone8675309 3y ago
If it's that dire then I'll just take losing the finger.
sokoloff 3y ago
I got Tungsten Carbide rings for that reason (and they happen to also be extremely inexpensive). They’re very hard (scratch resistant) in everyday use, but also quite brittle and easy to shatter to remove if needed for a finger injury.
wkat4242 3y ago
Titanium is more flexible and softer than steel. It also has a similar melting temperature. I've heard it's just harder to machine because it's more flexible so it tends to bend away from the cutting tools, as far as I understand. Not because it's so strong. But I don't know much about machining so this is second-hand knowledge. It's just a hell of a lot lighter than steel which is why it's so great for cutting-edge aviation stuff. It's much stronger than aluminium. It's the strength/weight combo that makes it special.
lightedman 3y ago
"His point was that if you ever get into an accident and the first responders have to cut your ring for whatever reason (MRI machine, etc.), literally none of their tools would be able to do that on a titanium ring" As a somewhat-experienced jeweler, titanium is not terribly-difficult to work. It's a pain to solder and weld (I use it for wire-wrapping in various gauges,) but cutting it is relatively easy, a good pair of hardened-steel thick wire cutters will absolutely shear it.

debatem1 3y ago

Unfortunately, this is an urban legend. While titanium is amazing stuff a normal ring cutter can go through it.

phone8675309 3y ago

If it's that dire then I'll just take losing the finger.

sokoloff 3y ago

I got Tungsten Carbide rings for that reason (and they happen to also be extremely inexpensive). They’re very hard (scratch resistant) in everyday use, but also quite brittle and easy to shatter to remove if needed for a finger injury.

wkat4242 3y ago

Titanium is more flexible and softer than steel. It also has a similar melting temperature. I've heard it's just harder to machine because it's more flexible so it tends to bend away from the cutting tools, as far as I understand. Not because it's so strong. But I don't know much about machining so this is second-hand knowledge. It's just a hell of a lot lighter than steel which is why it's so great for cutting-edge aviation stuff. It's much stronger than aluminium. It's the strength/weight combo that makes it special.

lightedman 3y ago

"His point was that if you ever get into an accident and the first responders have to cut your ring for whatever reason (MRI machine, etc.), literally none of their tools would be able to do that on a titanium ring" As a somewhat-experienced jeweler, titanium is not terribly-difficult to work. It's a pain to solder and weld (I use it for wire-wrapping in various gauges,) but cutting it is relatively easy, a good pair of hardened-steel thick wire cutters will absolutely shear it.