Why no titanium nitride finish on flashlights.

I am just wondering why we do not see any flashlights with a titanium nitrite surface coating.

It is not that expensive (probably not more than hard anodizing), would be very durable and it would look great.

Does anybody has an answer?

Re: Why no titanium nitrite finish on flashlights.

TiN, like many metal surface coatings, performs better on materials with higher surface hardness; ideally hardened steel or carbide.

perhaps hard anno is more flexible? I'll have to consult my library...

Re: Why no titanium nitrite finish on flashlights.

It's Titanium Nitride, and it is available, check out the Draco:

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=1421158
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=137487&page=1
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=149410

-RDH

Re: Why no titanium nitrite finish on flashlights.

The Draco's coating is TiN over Ti.

I was thinking of titanium nitride over aluminium.

Thanks for the correction, it is indeed nitride.

You can get a TiN coating on an existing light too:

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/163656

Re: Why no titanium nitrite finish on flashlights.

Calina said:

The Draco's coating is TiN over Ti.

I was thinking of titanium nitride over aluminium.

Thanks for the correction, it is indeed nitride.

Click to expand...

TiN will not stick to aluminum. I've experimented with Saruth M1T looks not as shiny as SS counterpart. More importantly, does not create permanent bond with aluminum. You can scratch it off with sharp objects. see post #13 for pics

Re: Why no titanium nitrite finish on flashlights.

H22A said:

TiN will not stick to aluminum. I've experimented with Saruth M1T looks not as shiny as SS counterpart. More importantly, does not create permanent bond with aluminum. You can scratch it off with sharp objects. see post #13 for pics

Click to expand...

This is new information to me.
I was always under the impression that the reason TiN was not used on Aluminum was because it is too soft and a slight dent will make the TiN crack and chip at that point. I have never heard of the coating scratching off.

Re: Why no titanium nitrite finish on flashlights.

Anglepoise said:

This is new information to me.
I was always under the impression that the reason TiN was not used on Aluminum was because it is too soft and a slight dent will make the TiN crack and chip at that point. I have never heard of the coating scratching off.

Click to expand...

You are correct aluminum is soft substrate which is easily cracked or chipped when dropped or applied slight force on sharp object such as knife.

Aluminum TiN coated in the pictures I attempt to scratch it with sharp knife and it scratched right off when applied slight force, unlike SS counterpart which was unaffected. I believe that aluminum is better off with HA for surface coating.

Calina, here is more information. Please see post #8 as Don clearly explain why aluminum is not suited for TiN coating.

Hey, hey, I wasn't the first to ask!

Well, to bad! I thought it would work but obviously it wouldn't.
I know there is a lot of expertise and knowledge available on CPF but still, I'm always amazed.

Thank you all for this information and the education.

Blackbirds were/are TiNi coated. I have both black and gold and finish has held up very well.