Surgical Steel vs Titanium
Surgical steel and titanium are two of the most commonly discussed metals in jewelry making. Both of these offer unique benefits and properties which might be appealing to different customers. In this article, we’ll discuss a detailed comparison of surgical steel vs titanium so you can decide easily what metal you need for your next jewelry.
Surgical Steel for Jewelry
Surgical steel is a type of stainless steel specially formulated to offer properties that make it suitable for body jewelry applications. Main benefits offered by surgical steel are its strength, durability, and affordability.
Surgical steel is primarily composed of different metals like iron, chromium, and nickel, along with other metals in smaller quantities. Chromium is a significant component, as it forms a passive oxide layer on the surface, preventing the steel from corroding or tarnishing. This protective layer is self-healing, which enhances the metal’s ability to withstand moisture and wear over time.
Properties of Surgical Steel
Following are the properties offered by surgical steel.
1. Bright Appearance
Surgical steel has a layer of chromium metal over its surface giving it a white bright and lustrous appearance. This can a feature of great usage as it can give an appearance of expensive metals like silver.
2. Non-Corrosive
Surgical steel has a strong and durable non-corrosive layer which protects it from any harmful chemicals. This will ultimately lead you to have a non-corrosive and non-tarnishing property.
3. High Density
Surgical steel has a density ranging near to 8 grams per cm3 which can be termed as a medium range out of all the metals being used in jewelry making. For example, gold has a density of 19 grams per cm3. So what does all of this translate into? It means that if your regular gold ring weighs around 5 grams a piece, the same ring made in surgical steel will weigh less than 2.5 grams as gold has more than doubled the density of surgical steel.
This will ultimately reduce the overall metal involved in the making making it an affordable option.
Titanium for Jewelry
Titanium is a highly sought after metal known for its exceptional strength, light weight, and resistance to corrosion. Its impressive properties make it an excellent choice for applications ranging from aerospace engineering to medical implants and jewelry. Found naturally in the earth’s crust, titanium is extracted and processed into various forms and grades, each suited for specific purposes.
Titanium is a pure metal often alloyed with other elements like aluminum or vanadium to enhance certain characteristics. In its pure form, it is lightweight, non-magnetic, and has a silver-gray appearance. It boasts a high strength-to-weight ratio, which means it is incredibly strong without the heft of denser metals.
Types of Titanium
Titanium is available in different types for jewelry purposes.
Grade 1 and Grade 2
These are commercially pure titanium grades that are soft, malleable, and ideal for uses requiring corrosion resistance. They are often chosen for applications in jewelry due to their hypoallergenic properties.
Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V)
This is the most commonly used titanium alloy, which combines titanium with aluminum and vanadium. It offers superior strength and is used in high-performance applications like aerospace parts and surgical implants.
Properties of Titanium
Titanium also offers a unique set of properties for its buyers.
1. Lightweight
Titanium is a lightweight metal compared to all the other metals being used in jewelry making. This makes it an ideal choice for those who love to wear light jewelry.
2. Low Density
A ring made with a low dense metal like titanium will always weigh less than a high dense metal like gold. This low density will allow you to pay far less in grams compared to other metals.
3. Non-Tarnishing
Titanium does not tarnish or corrode. It is highly resistant to harsh chemicals like bleach, washing powder etc. This makes it ideal for daily wearing. You can wear your jewelry without any great concern while doing household works. But for prevention, it is always better to visit your jeweler periodically.
Surgical Steel vs Titanium – A Comparison
Here is a detailed comparison of surgical steel vs titanium.
1. Appearance
When it comes to appearance, final decision can depend on buyer’s preference. If you are one who loves to wear white metals, surgical steel is the option for you. In case you are looking for more customizable appearances, titanium is the right choice as you can have a lot of colors in it including red, gold, blue etc.
2. Strength and Durability
Surgical steel is known for its hardness and strength as it can withstand significant wear and tear. It maintains its structural integrity even with frequent use and exposure to moisture or rough handling. When it comes to scratches, it might not be the ideal choice against titanium.
Titanium, on the other hand is more lighter than surgical steel. This feature provides it with excellent strength-to-weight ratio making it more stronger and lighter at the same time. Titanium’s durability allows it to resist bending, cracking, or other deformations under stress. It is also more prone to scratches than surgical steel.
3. Corrosion and Tarnishing
Both of these metals are highly resistant to corrosion and tarnishing. Unlike other metals like gold and silver, these metals can be worn without any proper maintenance and care requirements.
4. Cost
When comparing costs, surgical steel is generally the more affordable option. This is due to its wider availability and simpler processing requirements. For those who want a durable and reliable material without breaking the bank, surgical steel is an excellent choice.
Titanium, however, comes with a higher price tag, primarily due to its more complex extraction and processing. Its cost is justified by its superior qualities, including being hypoallergenic, lightweight, and resistant to extreme environments.
5. Wearability
Surgical steel is significantly heavier than titanium, which can be a consideration for people who love to wear heavy jewelry. Yes, surgical steel is not as dense as gold or silver, but it is still almost double the weight of titanium.
One of the standout features of titanium is its light weight. It is about 45% lighter than surgical steel, making it more comfortable for prolonged wear. This property is particularly advantageous for large jewelry pieces.
If you still haven’t got this point of density, then let’s have an example. Suppose you have two bags filled with 1 kg of flour and wool each. Which bag is going to take more space then? It will surely be the wool bag. Right? Absolutely correct.
Similarly, if you want to make an equal sized ring of surgical steel and titanium each, the one made of titanium will weigh less for the same sized ring.
6. Hypoallergenic
Surgical steel can be non-hypoallergenic at times. Some surgical steel jewelry might contain traces of nickel which can cause skin allergies to people with sensitive skins. The only solution you can have in case of surgical steel is to buy jewelry from a reputable brand with nickel free surgical steel.
Titanium is a completely hypoallergenic metal with bio compatibility.
FAQs about Surgical Steel vs Titanium
Here are some FAQ’s you might want to know answer of.
Is surgical steel safe for new piercings?
Yes, surgical steel is commonly used for new piercings as it is durable and resistant to rust. However, if you have severe nickel allergies, titanium is a better option.
Can titanium jewelry be resized?
Titanium is more challenging to resize due to its hardness. While some jewelers can adjust it, the process can be more complex than resizing softer metals like gold or surgical steel.
What to Choose?
Both surgical steel and titanium are excellent choices depending on your needs. Surgical steel is perfect for those seeking a budget-friendly option that’s strong and durable as the same time provided they don’t have severe nickel sensitivities. Titanium, on the other hand, is the go-to choice for those who prioritize comfort, lightweight wear, and absolute hypoallergenic safety.