Comp Ti Retainers

[Lynn Larsen]

Has anyone ever actually held a Comp Cams titanium retainer in their hands? Are there any kind of identifying marks on them?

Thanks,
Lynn

 

[Paul Thompson 'Hooligan']

Yes - and as far as I recall - No.

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[Brian]

If I recall correctly, titanium is non-mangetic.

Brian

 

[Lynn Larsen]

Brian,

Since I didn't get to be until around 2AM, I guess I am pretty dense this morning; and your point is what?

Regards,
Lynn

 

[Lynn Larsen]

Paul,

I went to the Comp website and found some pretty detailed photos and they did not reveal any markings at all.

Thank you,
Lynn

 

[BenL]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If I recall correctly, titanium is non-mangetic.

[/ QUOTE ]
Since I didn't get to be until around 2AM, I guess I am pretty dense this morning; and your point is what?

[/ QUOTE ]

If a magnet doesn't stick to them, they're not ordinary steel (unless they're a variety of stainless), so they could be titanium.

 

[Brian]

My thoughts precisely, thanks Ben.
Brian

 

[Lynn Larsen]

I really was dense this morning, it was about midday when I suddenly realized what you were saying. In the meantime, some guys on another forum gave me a great way to check them:

Metals have specific densities
Ti = 4.54 g/ml (for the most common Ti alloys)
Al = 2.7 g/mL,
steel= 7.85 g/mL

So, I can find out how many mL of metal I have by seeing how much water they displace when I submerge them. Then I can weigh them and calculate their density. I should them be able to get a warm fuzzy as to what they are. There is enough difference in the given values that I don't even have to be super accurate to get in the ball park. Of course this won't tell me if they are good US Ti or if they are from Russia or China.

I have asked the guy straight out if they are Comp retainers or not and if they are not, if he knows where they come from. We'll see how it turns out.

Thanks,
Lynn

 

[Mark Worthington]

Makes sense that there are no markings on them, as I understand titanum is very notch sensitive.

 

[Lynn Larsen]

I am assuming you are correct, I am not sure one way or the other, but be that as it may, here is one of example of Ti retainers that have been marked:


Lynn

 

When I click on it, it tells me that I have to be logged in to the corner carvers forum to see the immage.