There comes a point after knowing the physical properties of TITANIUM 6Al/4V knowing that you've designed the part properly in CAD, maybe run a simulation to strength test your part in the computer, then having the finished product in your hand when you have to use it in the real world.
As you can see I below I use my own parts. I used to race bicycles for Cardiff Ajax many years ago. I time trialed 25mile many moons ago in 58mins 28seconds so I'm quite fast.
My intention is to break these parts. If they don't break, then they're fine. After an afternoon of stoppies, skids and frame bending sprinting, they didn't break, so they're fine!
Light weight titanium bolts on unsprung parts (Unsprung means the wheels discs calipers etc that is on the lower side of the suspension) help the suspension give a better ride because of the reduced inertia.
Dome nuts have to be used on 2Stroke heads as water can seep through the thread of the head studs. These are torqued to 25NM. This product has to be checked by thrashing my bike around country lanes because titanium has a different rate of expansion that aluminium.
I once read a Ferrari mechanic say they have to have their titanium wheel nuts re torqued quite often because of the difference in expansion rate in the different metals used in the wheel hub assembly.
I've found no problem with these nuts.
Below are some of the parts replaced with titanium fasteners. They still work ok but the brake bleed bolts seem quite corroded considering the bike has only done about 15,000 miles.
I hope you liked this blog. If you'd like to see more innovative titanium products and their development please check back now and then.
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