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 Replies: 35 / Views: 4,262 |
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Valued Member
United States
142 Posts |
I was wondering if anyone knows if silver would have any weird reaction to titanium, if its stored inside a titanium tube.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4212 Posts |
I've seen titanium/silver rings for sale on da bay. So maybe it's o.k. What connections do you have to get the tubes? Check & see if they are China made. Their titanium is cheaper, most often containing impurities, so I've heard.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19931 Posts |
Never mix metals! There's always a chance of galvanic corrosion. Use plastic, it's the best choice for coin storage.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Valued Member
 United States
142 Posts |
I actually work with the stuff. With my recent coin collecting of silver coins, I was thinking about getting some of those plastic tubes to keep my silver quarters in, but I figured I could easily make a cool one out of titanium. I just dont know if it will cause any weird reactions to the silver.
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Valued Member
United States
142 Posts |
there you go. Will have to google that galvanic corrosion. Thanks for that.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2661 Posts |
 with BadThad. Though both metals are in the cathodic range as far as electrode potential, Silver has a higher EP (+.799) than Titanium (+.055). Thus the Titanium would cause the silver to corrode or tarnish unless you are able to obtain and maintain a 0% humidity level within the tube. You would in effect be creating a very low voltage battery that would use the Silver as a sacrificial metal. |
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Valued Member
United States
469 Posts |
You can always make the titanium an outer sleeve and keep the plastic inner sleeve. It would still look very cool and be safe. Just a thought.
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Valued Member
United States
142 Posts |
I should acid clean an old dime and store it inside and see what happens. How long would it take for the tarnishing or corroding to take place you think?
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Valued Member
United States
142 Posts |
southerngent, thats a good idea!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
672 Posts |
if you are working with titanium stock, you shouldnt have a problem because of both metals relative inertness. If it is cheap stock... you might have a problem. However the other members previous posts are not wrong, two adjacent metals will react.. if given enough time... copper is more reactive than titainum (you dont hear of copper dissolving silver coins do you lol). So without getting out my refrence books I would say your coins would be safe in titanium stock, for 1000K+ years before noticible damage. The O2 in the air will toast your coins before the titanium would! I say go for it! post some pics, sure the titanium will total your coins in a few thousand years... but so will plastic!... that said this only applies if you have quality stock!
Source: I'm a chemist!
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Valued Member
United States
142 Posts |
American Mafaia, good info and good point, I guess air would be far more harmful, and these tubes would be air tight.
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Valued Member
United States
142 Posts |
I will have to make a wider one, the ones I have now could only carry pennies and dimes. I'm going to stick some dimes in one and see what happens after a few weeks
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
Interesting discussion.
Titanium is actually a pretty "reactive" metal, in the sense that it combines with oxygen and gives off a lot of heat in the process. Finely-divided titanium is an excellent ingredient for fireworks, producing a dazzling white flame when ignited. Mix the powdered metal with some potassium nitrate or potassium chlorate and you'll be amazed how well it burns. If you are involved with machining the metal I'm sure you are aware that the shavings present a serious fire hazard.
Nevertheless, fabricated titanium pieces (like your tubes) are extremely corrosion-resistant, because the metal forms a protective layer of surface oxide that prevents any further oxidation. Among other uses, titanium is great for boat fittings because it resists saltwater corrosion better than aluminum, brass, and even stainless steel. The solid metal will have no tendency to react with silver.
Bottom line: your coins should be chemically safe in those tubes. I'd be more worried that the hard titanium metal will produce contact marks if the coins get banged into the tube. Plastic is a safer choice from that perspective.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3294 Posts |
Yeah, titanium poweder does burn very nicely, but large chunks of it are extremely heat resistant. They use them in the afterburners of F-16 aircraft. You know, where those 8 foot flames come out? I think it would cost a fair amount each tube, but if you want to store your roll in style...
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Valued Member
United States
142 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
That is a really cool storage container, and beautifully made. I expect the cost of the tube exceeds the value of the silver dimes!
I presume when you put batteries in this tube the terminals don't both touch the ends of the tube at the same time. If they did, you'd have flat batteries in short order!
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Replies: 35 / Views: 4,262 |
Posted 04/08/2010 11:14 am
