Titanium exhaust tubes - can you use band clamps?

So possibly the nicest part on my fdat challenge car is the titanium exhaust system (came installed on the parts bike I used). 

Naturally I want to cut it. The point would be to remove about 8-9 inches in a completely straight section in order to move the muffler down the same amount. I have a regular exhaust band clamp in the right size that would do an excellent job of holding a regular exhaust pipe back together. 

I'm worried because this titanium system is held together at all the joints with springs. Does titanium expand and contract a bunch with heat or something? Any other reason my band clamp wouldn't work?

Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:

So possibly the nicest part on my fdat challenge car is the titanium exhaust system (came installed on the parts bike I used). 

Naturally I want to cut it. The point would be to remove about 8-9 inches in a completely straight section in order to move the muffler down the same amount. I have a regular exhaust band clamp in the right size that would do an excellent job of holding a regular exhaust pipe back together. 

I'm worried because this titanium system is held together at all the joints with springs. Does titanium expand and contract a bunch with heat or something? Any other reason my band clamp wouldn't work?

Titanium DOES NOT like to have any imperfections.  It will fail at that point.

Also, yes, it grows quite a bit iirc.

Have it cut and tig welded by an experienced fabricator.  If memory serves me back purging the tube with Titanium is more important than regular alu or steel.  

I think there was an episode on Finigan's garage that he covered the basics of working with titanium exhaust tubing welding etc.

I will say that proper tig welds on that stuff look fantastic.

wvumtnbkr said:

Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:

So possibly the nicest part on my fdat challenge car is the titanium exhaust system (came installed on the parts bike I used). 

Naturally I want to cut it. The point would be to remove about 8-9 inches in a completely straight section in order to move the muffler down the same amount. I have a regular exhaust band clamp in the right size that would do an excellent job of holding a regular exhaust pipe back together. 

I'm worried because this titanium system is held together at all the joints with springs. Does titanium expand and contract a bunch with heat or something? Any other reason my band clamp wouldn't work?

Titanium DOES NOT like to have any imperfections.  It will fail at that point.

 

Also, yes, it grows quite a bit iirc.

Not being "that guy" here but I am curious how do people cut it then?  I have seen systems made from titanium tube without issue.  I think they used a diamond blade in their chop saw to cut it.  I don't understand what you are saying.  Are there different grades of titanium similar to different grades of stainless steel that have different properties that can cause issues you are talking about?

Cutting is fine as long as you keep it cool.  When TI catches fire it is game over.  In general for welding you need to tig in a full argon bath.  Not terrible but just needs more care.  As previously said it does have a bad CLTE exacerbating failure and joint points.  

dean1484 said:

wvumtnbkr said:

Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:

So possibly the nicest part on my fdat challenge car is the titanium exhaust system (came installed on the parts bike I used). 

Naturally I want to cut it. The point would be to remove about 8-9 inches in a completely straight section in order to move the muffler down the same amount. I have a regular exhaust band clamp in the right size that would do an excellent job of holding a regular exhaust pipe back together. 

I'm worried because this titanium system is held together at all the joints with springs. Does titanium expand and contract a bunch with heat or something? Any other reason my band clamp wouldn't work?

Titanium DOES NOT like to have any imperfections.  It will fail at that point.

 

Also, yes, it grows quite a bit iirc.

Not being "that guy" here but I am curious how do people cut it then?  I have seen systems made from titanium tube without issue.  I think they used a diamond blade in their chop saw to cut it.  I don't understand what you are saying.  Are there different grades of titanium similar to different grades of stainless steel that have different properties that can cause issues you are talking about?

What I'm trying to say is if there is a defect...  at all...  it will break.  

A small crack, or a stressed area will break.

I have seen a 6inch diameter rod of titanium break because a tug welder accidentally struck an arc away from the weld.  The rod was dropped from a forklift from about 6 inches.  It broke right at the arc spot.

Well this thread is certainly making me re-think. 

I know a guy who could re-weld this back up for me, but even the titanium filler rods were eye-wateringly expensive for a challenge build. 

The other option is to leave the exhaust and build up a larger support for the muffler.