Welding grade 2 titanium

[welderdude]

I made myself a couple of titanium anodes today by welding a piece of 1/4" round titanium rod to a titanium mesh thats coated in a titanium oxide, iridium oxide, and ruthenium oxide. This one was the first time I have ever welded anything titanium. I used some sandpaper to scrape off the coating in the area i welded. It wasn't too bad although I had no filler to use. its just a fusion tack to hold the pieces together. Its for an electrolysis cell. the cathodes are just 316 ss sheet metal that I drilled a bunch of holes in.

I used my powertig 225 with a sharp 3/32 tungsten and a #7 gas lens. i think i was around 120 or so amps.

If anyones wondering about what I'm doing, it evolves the electrodes, salt water, and the power supply thats pictured.

[Rambozo]

If anyones wondering about what I'm doing, it evolves the electrodes, salt water, and the power supply thats pictured.

My guess would be a chlorine generator for a pool.

[welderdude]

Same Idea, but it will be satisfying my inner pyro instead!

[Rambozo]

Looks like you could have used a little more argon around those welds.

[Rodsmachineshop]

Hydrogen generator

[welderdude]

I know that the argon shielding wasn't quite good enough. I wish I had like a 2 inch diameter cup for stuff like this.

In this case, the hydrogen is getting vented off and not used. Im using potassium chloride salt too. The stuff I want will collect of the bottom after a few days of running. Hint Hint

[Rodsmachineshop]

Potassium Chlorate

[welderdude]

Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner!

Anyways, This was more of an excuse to do something with titanium than to make a potent oxidizer. I like having all my fingers accounted for. I also have an interest in electro-chemistry. Its too bad that the anode is only designed for salt water use. It quickly breaks down to nothing if used to make HHO gas.

[zoama]

Probably not a good topic since this stuff has some serious uses. The welding discussion is OK.

[sportbike]

hen welding something like that, I would make a backside shield with some aluminum foil and flow the argon from the cup a bit before striking the arc.

[welderdude]

Anyway, back on subject. I used a heavy piece of aluminum angle and some tinfoil to try and keep the argon on the weld. I was shooting for no bluing, but it didn't work out. I have the feeling that doing this in an inert atmosphere is the only foolproof way of doing.

I still think that the weld will hold up, but I wont know until I test it, which won't be until I have a good safe place to do so.

[sportbike]

The weld shoudl be fine. If it fails, it will be very unlikely that it is because of an over oxidized weld. Titanium will turn black or ashy gray when it is over oxidized.