What is Medical Titanium?
Medical titanium is an alloy of titanium and other metals used in medical and surgical products. It is a light, strong and biocompatible material that can be used in the body because it contains low levels of substances that can cause allergies. Therefore, titanium is a popular material for implants, such as hip and knee prostheses, and dental implants. Medical titanium retains its color and has a long life, making it a sustainable option for many medical applications.
What is ASTM F-67?
There are different types/grades of medical grade titanium, F-67 being the purest form. To be classified as F -67 , it must contain at least 99.0% titanium and less than 0.25% of other elements such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and iron. Aluminum is included in the list of other permitted metallic elements, but its maximum content cannot be more than 0.1%.
Our supplier uses pure medical grade titanium that is analyzed by RISE (RESEARCH INSTITUTES OF SWEDEN). The analysis showed that the titanium contains 100% titanium and 0.08% aluminum.
ASTM F -67 is a standard that specifies the requirements for osseointegrating (implants that attach to bone) dental implants for humans. The standard was developed by the American organization ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) and describes the physical and chemical requirements for the materials, design, testing and documentation of dental implants.
The basic idea for us in following these guidelines/requirements is to be able to create safe earrings with the least risk of allergic reactions.
Why is medical titanium hypoallergenic?
Medical titanium is hypoallergenic because it is a biocompatibility material - that is, how it is absorbed by the body without causing allergic reactions. Titanium is one of the most biocompatible metals and thus very gentle on the body. Titanium alloys are well suited to the body as they have a smooth surface, which reduces the risk of infections and allergic reactions. It is also hypoallergenic, which means that titanium has low levels of foreign substances such as nickel and chromium, which can cause allergies in some people.
In summary, medical titanium is hypoallergenic because it:
- Is a biocompatibility material - a material foreign to the body that is accepted without adversely affecting the body.
- Has low levels of allergenic substances.
- Has a smooth surface, which reduces the risk of allergy and infections when it is in the body.
Does medical grade titanium oxidize or rust?
Medical grade titanium is durable and does not rust to the same extent as other metals. Titanium has a natural protective layer against oxidation that acts as a barrier against further oxidation and corrosion. It has been shown that titanium's protective layer also has improved biocompatibility compared to other metals. Therefore, titanium is an attractive material choice for medical and surgical products.
However, it is important to note that all metals, including medical titanium, can be affected by a certain amount of corrosion under specific circumstances, such as high temperatures, high salinity in the environment, or high concentrations of acids. So, although medical grade titanium has good corrosion resistance, it is important to take appropriate measures to minimize corrosion and maintain its performance in medical and surgical applications.
Is medical grade titanium nickel free?
Yes, medical grade titanium is nickel free. Titanium is a natural metal, one of our basic elements that rarely contains nickel and other allergenic elements. Medical titanium alloys used in implants and other medical applications are specially formulated to contain low levels of allergenic substances. This makes medical grade titanium a hypoallergenic material that rarely causes allergic reactions compared to other metals.
In short, medical titanium is nickel-free and is therefore a safe and hypoallergenic material choice that we have chosen to make some of our earrings in. Some of our earrings are 100% medical titanium, others have titanium pins with surgical steel motifs and some of they are 100% surgical steel.
See our various jewelry in metal categories here.
100% Titanium, Titanium pin with figure in surgical steel, 100% surgical steel
