What should we pay attention to when using titanium tubes?
Titanium tube should be protected from iron contamination, poor fit-up, uncontrolled heat input and inadequate inert-gas shielding during storage, fabrication and installation. These controls protect weld quality and corrosion performance, but the exact procedure must follow the project specification, qualified welding procedure and applicable piping or equipment code.
Handling and Installation Controls
| Decision point | What to specify or verify |
|---|---|
| Storage | Keep tube dry, labeled and separated from carbon-steel grinding dust and handling damage |
| Cutting and preparation | Use clean dedicated tools; remove burrs and contamination without overheating the surface |
| Supports and contact | Evaluate isolation from dissimilar metals and avoid damaging or chloride-contaminated padding |
| Fit-up | Control alignment, root gap, cleanliness and end preparation to the qualified procedure |
| Welding | Use qualified inert-gas shielding, including root/back purge where required, and reject harmful heat tint according to the acceptance procedure |
| Inspection | Perform visual, dimensional, leak, pressure or NDE checks specified for the service |
Connection and Service Considerations
Titanium should not be joined to another metal by an improvised direct weld. Transition joints, flanged connections or other engineered methods may be used where qualified. Gasket compatibility, galvanic coupling, crevice conditions and process-fluid contamination need project-specific review; a single universal chloride limit for every gasket or insulation system is not an adequate rule.
Information the Installer Needs
- Grade, tube specification and heat traceability
- System design pressure, temperature and fluid
- Approved drawings, WPS/PQR and welder qualification
- Cleaning, purge and heat-tint acceptance criteria
- Inspection, testing and documentation requirements
FAQ
Is flame cutting always acceptable for titanium tube?
No. Cutting and edge preparation must preserve dimensions and avoid unacceptable contamination or heat damage. Use the approved fabrication procedure.
Can ordinary shop tools be used?
Tools that introduce embedded iron or cross-contamination should not be used. Dedicated or thoroughly controlled tools and clean work areas are preferred.
Continue to Tube Selection
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