Re: Does Titanium rust or corrode in salt water?

Corrosion is the degradation of metals and alloys under the influence of their environment, usually a gas (oxygen in the air) or a fluid (water). Oxidation is the reaction of a material with oxygen.

There are many different kinds of corrosion, depending on the metal and on the corrosive agent. Some metals form only a thin oxide layer, which prevents further corrosion because the corrosive agent cannot go through the oxide layer and reach the metal. An example of this is the oxidation of Al.

According to a corrosion handbook, pure titanium is fully resistant against corrosion in sea water. Experiments have been performed with titanium samples which were placed in the sea air close to a groyne for three years: the samples did not change at all. The corrosion resistance is due to the formation of a thin oxide film (TiO2, a white material which is frequently used in paints) which is resistant against liquids containing chlorine, such as salt sea water.

Usually, you don't find pure titanium, but a titanium alloy. An alloy is a material which contains several metals. Stainless steel, for example, consists mainly of iron, but also contains nickel or chromium. Titanium alloys are usually used for aircraft and missiles where light weight and strength are important. Some titanium alloys may corrode in sea water.

Some jewellery (body piercings for example) are made of "titanium". I don't know if that's pure titanium or a titanium alloy. Perhaps you are asking this question because you have a body piercing and wonder if you can go swimming in sea water with it. As most body piercings are exposed to sweat, which contains salt, I guess they use an alloy that doesn't corrode in salt containing fluids. However, to be 100% certain, ask the people who sold you the jewellery.

Here are some links about corrosion and titanium:
Corrosionsource.com
Titanium
Titanex
Timet