Dopant alloying of titanium to suppress oxygen reduction catalysis

Abstract

An alloy having the formula Ti 1-x M x . M is Co, Sn, Cr, or a combination. The value x is from 0.001 to 0.02. A method of combining titanium metal and a dopant metal to form the alloy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising:
 an alloy having the formula Ti 1-x M x ;
 wherein M is a dopant selected from Co, Sn, Cr, and combinations thereof; 
 wherein x is from 0.001 to 0.02. 
   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 ;
 wherein M is Co, Sn, or Cr; and   wherein x is from 0.005 to 0.015.   
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least 90 wt % of the alloy. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least 99 wt % of the alloy. 
     
     
         5 . An article comprising:
 the composition of  claim 1 ; and   an oxide of the alloy comprising the dopant on a surface of the article.   
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 5 , wherein the article is a fastener. 
     
     
         7 . A method comprising:
 positioning the article of  claim 5  in electrical contact with a metal component; and   positioning the article in contact with an electrolyte that is in contact with the metal component;
 wherein the metal component has a lower electrode potential in the electrolyte than titanium. 
   
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 combining titanium metal and a dopant metal to form an alloy having the formula Ti 1-x M x ;
 wherein M is selected from Co, Sn, Cr, and combinations thereof; 
 wherein x is from 0.001 to 0.02. 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 ;
 wherein M is Co, Sn, or Cr; and   wherein x is from 0.005 to 0.015.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 forming an article comprising the alloy.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the article comprises at least 90 wt % of the alloy. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the article comprises at least 99 wt % of the alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 forming an oxide comprising the dopant on the surface of the article.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the article is a fastener.