Titanium-based alloys and articles formed from such alloys

Abstract

Article(s) are disclosed that are formed, at least in part, by a titanium-based alloy having about 35 to about 55 wt. % or greater titanium, the article(s) have a hardness of about 1350 HV or greater, and a coloration characterized by an L value of about 56.00 to about 60.00, an a value of about 1.0 to about 1.5, and a b value of about 3.65 to about 3.75, wherein the L, a, and b values are color values according to the CIE L*a*b* color scale.

1 . An article comprising a titanium-based alloy having about 35 to about 55 wt. % titanium, the article having a hardness of about 1350 HV or greater, and a coloration characterized by an L value of about 56.00 to about 60.00, an a value of about 1.0 to about 1.5, and a b value of about 3.65 to about 3.75, wherein the L, a, and b values are color values according to the CIE L*a*b* color scale. 
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article has a density of about 6.0 to about 6.35 g/cm 3 . 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has about 45 wt. % Ti. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has no more than about 60 wt. % W. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has about 10 to about 60 wt. % W. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has about 5 to about 15 wt. % C. 
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has about 12.7 wt. % C. 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises no more than about 10 wt. % Cr. 
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises about 0.001 to about 10 wt. % Cr. 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises about 0.001 to about 10 wt. % Mo. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises about 6.5 wt. % or greater Mo. 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises about 0.5 to about 1.75 wt. % Cu. 
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises no more than trace amounts of Co and Fe. 
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises:
 Ti: about 35 to about 55 wt. %;   W: about 10 to about 60 wt. %;   Ni: about 5 to about 20 wt. %;   Cr: about 0.001 to about 10 wt. %;   C: about 5 to about 15 wt. %;   Mo: about 0.001 to about 10 wt. %; and   Cu: about 0.5 to about 1.75 wt. %.   
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the remainder of the alloy composition comprises one or more of: Si, Ta, Al, Mn, Nb, Zr and O. 
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article is an item of jewelry. 
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the item of jewelry is a ring, a pendant, a dog tag, a hairclip, a chain, a watchcase, a pin, a bracelet, a necklace, an earring or a charm. 
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the item of jewelry is a finger ring. 
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one of a precious metal, a stone, a gemstone, a crystal, or another material suitable for use in jewelry affixed to the article. 
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 18 , wherein the finger ring has at least one depression that extends into, and at least substantially around the circumference of, an outer surface of the finger ring, wherein the depression is substantially filled with a material. 
     
     
         21 . The article of  claim 20 , wherein the material is a metal. 
     
     
         22 . The article of  claim 21 , wherein the metal is a precious metal.