Why is Titanium so COLORFUL? - Making/Anodizing Titanium Chopsticks

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their hobby of making titanium chopsticks, detailing the process from machining to achieving vibrant colors through heat or electrolysis. The tutorial covers lathe techniques, precision, and the science behind the colorful titanium oxide layers, offering a relaxing and educational experience.

Takeaways

• 🔬 The video discusses various scientific projects, including a maglev laser table and a microfluidic flow cell, alongside the creation of titanium chopsticks for relaxation.
• 🛠️ The presenter uses a metal lathe to create titanium chopsticks, emphasizing the importance of precision and the use of a carbide insert for ease and quality of cutting.
• 💎 Titanium is highlighted as an affordable material for making chopsticks, with enough material for seven pairs costing around $50.
• 🎁 The chopsticks are not only aesthetically pleasing but also serve as great birthday presents, with some being sold for over $100 a pair on Etsy.
• 🔄 The process involves mounting titanium, using a live center for support, and careful turning to achieve the desired taper and shape of the chopsticks.
• ⚙️ The importance of maintaining a true and steady lathe operation is stressed to ensure the quality of the turning process.
• 🎨 The video explains the science behind the vibrant colors seen on titanium chopsticks, which involves the growth of a thin layer of titanium dioxide through heat or electrolysis.
• 🔬 Thin-film optics is introduced as the reason for the colorful appearance of the titanium, where the thickness of the oxide layer affects the interference of light, creating different colors.
• 🔥 Two methods for achieving the colors on titanium are presented: using a blowtorch and electrolysis, each producing different visual effects.
• 🛠️ Electrolysis offers a more controlled way to achieve specific colors by adjusting the voltage, with the oxide layer's thickness determining the color through light interference.
• 🎨 The final product is a durable and permanent coloration due to the hardness of titanium dioxide, which can be removed only through sanding if a different color is desired.

Q & A

What are some of the projects mentioned in the script that the speaker has been working on?

The speaker mentions working on cold fire, rainbow gecko tape, a frosting robot, microfluidic flow cells, a maglev laser table, and a hobby of making titanium chopsticks.

Why does the speaker find making titanium chopsticks a relaxing hobby?

The speaker finds making titanium chopsticks relaxing because it is not only a creative process but also provides a moment of Zen, especially with the new metal lathe.

What is the cost-effectiveness of making titanium chopsticks according to the script?

The speaker states that titanium is not very expensive, costing around 50 dollars for enough material to make seven or more pairs of chopsticks, which is a great value considering some people sell them for a hundred dollars or more a pair on Etsy.

What is the importance of maintaining precision when making multiple pairs of chopsticks?

Maintaining precision is important to ensure that the chopsticks match in terms of size, shape, and design, which presents a greater challenge when making more than one pair.

What is the role of a live center in the process of making titanium chopsticks?

A live center is used for tailstock support to prevent the titanium, which is a very bendy metal, from flexing while carving the pointy end of the chopsticks.

How does the speaker ensure a smooth and even surface finish when cutting the chopsticks?

The speaker suggests slowing down the cutting process, especially for the last pass, to maintain an even speed and achieve a better surface finish.

What is the significance of adding grooves to the chopsticks for extra grip?

Adding grooves provides extra grip to the chopsticks, as titanium can be slippery, preventing the Raman (chopsticks) from being dropped.

How does the speaker ensure that the two chopsticks are identical in their design and measurements?

The speaker uses a pair of calipers to regularly take measurements and make sure that the tapers, grooves, and lengths are the same for both chopsticks.

What is the science behind the vibrant colors that appear on the surface of the titanium chopsticks?

The colors are a result of thin-film optics, where a thin layer of titanium dioxide forms on the surface. The thickness of this layer, comparable to the wavelength of visible light, causes light to interfere with itself, creating the vibrant colors.

What are the two methods mentioned in the script for achieving the colors on titanium chopsticks?

The two methods mentioned are using a blowtorch and electrolysis. Both methods involve the formation of a thin layer of titanium dioxide, but they differ in their application and control over the color formation.

How does the electrolysis method for coloring titanium chopsticks work?

In the electrolysis method, a piece of titanium is connected to the anode and another piece to the cathode, both placed in an electrolyte solution. As voltage is increased, an oxide layer forms and grows until it reaches a thickness that causes interference of light, resulting in the appearance of colors.

What is the advantage of using electrolysis over the flame method for coloring titanium chopsticks?

The electrolysis method allows for more controlled color formation, as once a desired color is achieved, the voltage can be kept constant to replicate the same color on multiple pieces. It also avoids the risk of burning fingerprints into the pattern.

How does the speaker ensure the permanence of the colors on the titanium chopsticks?

The speaker mentions that the titanium oxide is an incredibly hard material and is very attached to the surface, making it quite permanent unless intentionally scratched.

What is the final step in the process of making the titanium chopsticks before coloring them?

The final step before coloring is sanding the chopsticks to break any sharp edges and to remove scratches, which also helps in achieving better color results.