Architectural titanium

Abstract

A method has been developed to produce an attractive surface on titanium or titanium alloys. The material involves repeated thermal treatment in vacuum above the beta transformation temperature followed by cooling below this transformation temperature. This treatment produces an attractive large grained, speckled surface. The method can be applied to titanium sheet for construction purposes or to titanium or titanium alloy components in art, architecture, components for automotive trim and casing for cellular phones or computers.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for producing an architecturally desirable surface finish in a titanium containing component, said method comprising: 
 thermally treating the titanium containing component at a temperature above the beta transition temperature for the titanium containing component and subsequently cooling through this transition temperature to the alpha or alpha/beta range.    
     
     
         2 . An article comprising a titanium containing component made in accordance with the method of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 2 , wherein said article is a cellular phone casing.  
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 2 , wherein said article is automotive trim, a watch case, a watch band, a computer case, a household component, or an object of art.  
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 4 , wherein said object of art is hanging art or a sculpture.  
     
     
         6 . A titanium sheet for sidewall construction comprising a titanium containing component made in accordance with the method of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         7 . The titanium sheet of  claim 6  having a speckled appearance.