Titanium
is a metallic element whose unique properties including
high strength, low density, excellent fatigue and corrosion
resistance and low modulus make it the ideal material
for bicycle frames and other tubular structures. Titanium
itself is not rare but actually very abundant with large
deposits occurring in Australian beach sand. However,
titanium's extreme reactivity with oxygen makes it difficult
to produce in metallic form and it is a long and expensive
process to create the seamless tubes used in frame construction.
TiSport utilizes an alloy of titanium with 3% aluminum and
2.5% vanadium, known as Ti-3-2.5 for the majority of its
products. Ti-3-2.5 was developed for the aerospace industry
for use in high pressure hydraulic lines and is found
on virtually all new commercial and military airplanes
being built in the western world. Ti-3-2.5 balances the
higher strength but less ductile titanium alloys used
in aerospace, and commercially pure titanium grades which
do not offer sufficient strength.
The high strength and low density of Ti-3-2.5 allow for
the fabrication of tubular structures that are not only
light weight but also extremely strong and durable. Titanium
does not break down, rust or corrode in any type of atmospheric
environment and its high fracture toughness and fatigue
resistance result in structures that can take a pounding
and will not fail prematurely.
Another unique property of titanium is its low elastic
modulus. The elastic modulus is a measure of how stiff
a material is and is directly related to a material's
ability to transmit shock waves. Titanium's low modulus
translates into a natural dampening effect on vibrations,
which allows titanium frames to have a smooth ride even
without additional suspension elements. The combination
of titanium's high strength and low modulus make the material
very "springy" and in fact aircraft springs
were one of the first uses for titanium alloys. Because
of this spring like effect, the material allows for good
energy transfer and does not sap energy from the rider
like a suspension system or weaker frame materials will. |
ABOUT TITANIUM 
