Knowledge Base Page - Why Titanium?
Jul 09, 2018
Titanium in the Outdoors
Titanium is used for a range of products in the outdoors. You can buy titanium products for outdoor use in the form of cookware, tent pegs, cups, stoves, utensils, water bottles and numerous other accessories. The reason titanium is so popular is its low weight and high strength. There are a wide range of benefits for the outdoors such as the corrosion resistance, exceptionally high melting point and durability. For anyone after the best quality gear where weight is vital then titanium is exceptional.
The Benefits and Costs of Titanium
There are a number of benefits and costs to titanium gear. Below are some of the main factors to consider.
Benefits:
Weight - The strength to weight ratio of titanium, when compared to steel, is impressive. Titanium products provide a significant reduction in weight without sacrificing strength so they are perfect for anyone prioritising weight when backpacking.
Strength - Titanium has a really good strength to weight ratio. For a similar strength to average steel products titanium provides a 45% reduction in weight.
Heat Conductivity - Titanium is a fairly poor conductor of heat, but its strength to weight ratio allows it to be used in much thinner thicknesses than steel or aluminium which then means that it heats up and cools down very quickly.
Corrosion Resistance - Titanium naturally has a thin inert film of oxide when fresh titanium is exposed to the atmosphere. This layer protects the titanium from corrosion even to the extent that it is resistant to saltwater.
Inert - This form of metal is inert, meaning that it is ideal for storing alcohol, liquids or food in general. It does not produce any metallic flavours that alter the taste of the contents stored inside it.
Costs:
Price - Due to the difficulty in turning titanium into a usable product means manufacturing costs a lot more than other metals. Titanium cookware will certainly cost you (significantly) more than its aluminium or steel counterparts.
Heat Conductivity - Titanium pots are ideal for boiling water because they can be made with thin walls, and transfer heat very quickly. Like stainless steel pots, they tend to develop hot spots, making them less than ideal for cooking real meals so it's important you know what you will be using it for most often.
Anodizing
As mentioned earlier with the corrosion resistance, titanium has a layer of oxide on its surface, when light falls on this layer of oxide it is scattered and makes the item look coloured.
Titanium can be easily anodized in a wide range of colours, which relate to specific voltages. Simply by running through electricity of specific voltages allows the titanium to be coloured accordingly. The colours are very specific to the voltage being used so this is a very controlled method. It allows a surprisingly wide array of colours to be achieved.
There are also some environmental benefits to the anodizing process as it means that colour can be added to titanium without using any toxic dyes or processes.
Comparing the Alternatives
The main alternatives to Titanium in outdoor products are stainless steel and aluminium. Each have benefits and drawbacks so it really depends on working out which best suits your needs. Below are examples of why people still choose steel and aluminium for their outdoor gear:
Stainless steel
is by far the toughest and most scratch-resistance of the three materials.
is best for its affordability, exceptional ruggedness and simple sophistication.
Aluminium
is extremely efficient, meaning it transfers its heat quickly. This helps to save fuel.
it disperses heat uniformly across the cookware surface, aluminium is a better choice for cooking real meals - with fresh ingredients or temperature-sensitive foods.
Our Top Brands for Titanium
Vargo
Since 2003, Vargo has brought you some of the lightest, most dependable, and innovative outdoor products. What began with titanium tent stakes soon morphed into titanium stoves, pots, mugs, campware, tools, water bottles, and more. Yet behind every product has been our passion to innovate and create the best ultralight outdoor gear.
Snow Peak
At Snow Peak, we treasure every individual’s initiative. By joining forces in absolute trust, we work to achieve global leadership, elevating the essential life values inspired by being with nature. We are always evolving, always innovating, always creating new approaches. Our philosophy is that we are all users, so we provide customers with rich experiences that inspire us all. We are committed to having a positive impact on the planet.
Evernew
Originally operating out of a small Tokyo store front in the 1920s, we've spent over 90 years designing, manufacturing, and reinventing quality products within the outdoor recreation and sports industry. Over our long history our brand has grown to become a design and manufacturing leader in Japan, and we're now proud to bring our line of titanium cookware to our fellow outdoor adventurers in North America.
TOAKS
TOAKS was established in 2011 in Thousand Oaks, California. We are outdoor enthusiasts and have 20 years of experience in titanium cookware design and production. Along with manufacturing, we innovate, design, engineering and produce our own products. With an astute instinct and passion, we have spent countless hours to seek the best solution to any problem that crosses our way.
Gram-Counter Gear
Gram-counter Gear is aimed at those people who are moving enthusiastically into lightweight backpacking and looking for something that perfectly bridges the gap between the traditional gear you might currently be using and the extreme end of the ultralight world.
MSR
In 1969, Seattle engineer and lifelong mountaineer Larry Penberthy formed Mountain Safety Research as a one-man crusade dedicated to improving the safety of climbing equipment. The fuel behind Larry's passionate fire was a simple belief that still drives our team today: The idea that better, safer, more reliable equipment is the key to unlocking greater adventures.
Titanium is used for a range of products in the outdoors. You can buy titanium products for outdoor use in the form of cookware, tent pegs, cups, stoves, utensils, water bottles and numerous other accessories. The reason titanium is so popular is its low weight and high strength.