TITANIUM FASTENERS AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY 2

[FastenerDude]

I have heard that Titanium is as conductive as wood. Is this true? I have a customer who is looking for some fasteners that will be placed in a deep sea environment but they cannot be conductive at all. They are fastening a sensor that costs millions of dollars and if a conductive metallic piece touches this sensor, it will destroy it. They wanted plastic, at first, but they just aren't strong enough. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Greg
System 22, Inc.

 

[redpicker]

Titanium is a better conductor than stainless steel, but not as good a conductor as carbon steel, at least that's what Wikipedia says.

I am not sure what the conductivity of wood is. My guess is that it would depend on the type of wood and the mositure content, as well as the curent density, but I can't believe it would even come close to titanium. Sure, compared to Silver or Gold, the conductivity of titanium is pretty low, but compared to, say, plastic, it is pretty darn good.

In other words, I wouldn't use a titanium pole to move a live electrical wire while standing in a mud puddle..

rp

 

[IRstuff]

It's not an insulator by any stretch of the imagination. I think a picture might be in order. There are other ways of insulating things; it just depends on what the requirements are.

TTFN
faq731-376

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[SJones]

Will ceramic fasteners fit the application?

http://www.ceramcoceramics.com/Alumina_Strength_Properties

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04

All answers are personal opinions only and are in no way connected with any employer.

 

[FastenerDude]

I did consider ceramic fasteners for this application but I didn't think I could get them in this diameter. Bolts and nuts will be 1/2-13 diameter/thread. I will check with Ceramco. Thanks for the info, Steve!

Greg
System 22, Inc.

 

[metalman8357]

What about a non-conductive, non-porous plating?

 

[TVP]

Titanium is still many orders of magnitude better in electrical conductivity than plastics or wood:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_conductivity

http://www.ndt-ed.org/GeneralResources/MaterialProperties/ET/Conductivity_Ti.pdf

You will need to insulate the joint, preferably with some type of ceramic washer or other insulator. A non-conductive coating (Xylan) on either titanium or alloy 625 fasteners is also a good idea.

 

[FastenerDude]

Customer decided to go with Inco 625 Bolts with two PEEK shoulder washers on each end. The shoulder washers will be long enough that they meet each other in the hole to make a insulating tube for the bolt. Thank you everyone for all your insight and help. This website is an excellent resource and I appreciate all of your help! I'll be sure to pay it forward.

Greg
System 22, Inc.