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Can Titanium Rings be Cut Off?
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Posted On :
Nov-09-2010
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Article Word Count :
464
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A lot of the Internet rumors started when some aerospace worker had the brilliant idea to use a titanium bearing race as a ring. He had a hard time getting it off. For use in a bearing race, by definition, the material is made as hard as possible and has sharp square corners, so that was not a very smart thing to do. The material used in titanium rings is not hardened like that and can be cut with a variety of different means.
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In essentially any discussion about titanium rings on the Internet, the question comes up if they can be cut off. Invariably in those discussions, there will also be someone who has heard on the Internet that they can’t be cut, and emergency personnel will simply have to lop off a finger in case of emergency. Fortunately, this is not the case.
I believe a lot of the Internet rumors started when some aerospace worker had the brilliant idea to use a titanium bearing race as a ring. He had a hard time getting it off. For use in a bearing race, by definition, the material is made as hard as possible and has sharp square corners, so that was not a very smart thing to do. The material used in titanium rings is not hardened like that and can be cut with a variety of different means. A normal ring cutter works fine. This is a device that hospitals and jewelers have that has a small round blade that cuts through the ring. Also, a hacksaw can work. The ring would need to be held still while cutting, but it is possible to use. A jewelers saw works. This is a saw with a fine blade with tiny teeth. They will work well. Don’t underestimate how sharp they are even though they have those tiny teeth. A Dremel tool with an abrasive disc can work. This will get very hot unless liberally cooled with water during the process. It is also harder to control, so resting the tool on something like a block of wood to steady the cut is advisable. Bolt cutters can work as well. Titanium has the reputation of being indestructible, but it’s only about as strong as steel. The reason it’s used in aerospace is because of its strength to weight ratio. It’s about 60% the weight of steel.
I know these methods can work because I’ve had titanium rings taken off my own fingers by each of these methods. In the tens of thousands of rings we have sold, we have had 2 customers that had to get rings cut off. The emergency personnel had no problem with their normal equipment.
Black zirconium rings will work the same as titanium. Those same methods can work.
Tungsten carbide is a different case. It is so hard that it cannot be cut by normal means. Fortunately, the material starts as powder, and it is heated under extreme pressure to become a solid metal. The ring can fracture like a ceramic if it is squashed in a vise or if vise grips are used on it. In a pinch, a hammer could be used to crush it as well. Even though the material is extremely hard, it’s relatively brittle.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Can Titanium Rings be Cut Off?_40981.aspx
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Author Resource :
www.boonerings.com is a leader in the manufacture of titanium rings. Please visit their site to see the possibilities of titanium made into attractive pieces of art.For more information about titanium rings, check us out here: www.boonerings.com
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Keywords :
Titanium Rings,
Category :
Business
:
Business
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