How to care about precautions and safety while working on titanium parts

4.1.    Scrap Prevention:

Since titanium is a relatively expensive metal, every effort should be made to avoid waste. Parts should be handled and transported with reasonable care. Nicks and scratches must be avoided, both on parts in process and on finished parts. Suitable containers or paper separators should be used for parts in process to prevent damage in handling and storage. The machining and grinding of titanium normally require closer supervision than do operations on other metals, not only to prevent scrap, but also to detect defective parts early in the processing schedule.

4.2.    Hazard and health Considerations during machining titanium:

From the standpoint of fire and explosion, titanium chips and dust under certain conditions can be hazardous. In regard to health considerations, a number of investigators have demonstrated experimentally that titanium is not toxic. In fact, its physiological inertness, corrosion resistance, lightness, and low modulus of elasticity suggest uses in orthopedic surgery. However barium compounds like barium hydroxide when used as cutting fluids for titanium may be hazardous to personnel unless suitable precautions are taken to protect machine operators. Barium compounds may possess both acute and chronic toxicity if inhaled at high concentrations. Consequently positive measures must be taken to exhaust all fumes and mist from the machining area. The recommended maximum atmospheric concentration per 8-hour day is 0.5 milligram per cubic meter of air.

4.3.    Safety Procedures during machining Titanium:

Safety procedures are concerned with both preventive and emergency measures. Preventive measures generally mean that good housekeeping practices must be maintained at all times. Specifically they, involve the following:

·         Regular chip collection, and storage in covered containers(once a day)

·         Removal of containers when one-half full to an outside location

·         Keeping machine ducts and working area clean of titanium dust, chips, and oil-soaked sludge

·         Cleaning area and equipment of all oil and grease, and removal of rags and waste subject to spontaneous combustion.

If a fire starts, it should be smothered by using dry powders developed for combustible metal fires. These include graphite powder, powdered limestone, absolutely dry sand, and dry compound extinguisher powder for magnesium fires. Carbon tetrachloride or carbon dioxide extinguishers should not be used. Water or foam should never be applied directly to a titanium fire. Water accelerates the burning rate and may cause hydrogen explosions. However, water can be applied to the surrounding area up to the edges of the fire to cool the un-ignited material below the ignition point