Will titanium set off a metal detector?

[happythoughts 0]

The metal detectors that they use for gambling cruise ships will detect the metal foil wrappers on condoms.



Unfortunately...

[Foggy 0]

Short answer - nope. I have a Ti plate holding my fibula together (1997) and another supporting the fusion of my C5,6 and 7 (2001). I fly 3-4 times a month for work and have yet to set off the detector. Have had a minor squeak out of a hand wand but think thats the stainless screws in the leg plate.
Long answer is down to those more qualified than I in mettalurgy/ physics but essentially the detectors emit a magnetic field and are looking for displacements in that field caused by ferro-magnetic objects, i.e. containing iron. titanium is not ferro-magnetic. Asleep yet?

Foggy

p.s.I can also confirm that the foil on a condom does set it off

[Dougiefresh 0]

I don't think that's how metal detectors work. Without googling, i'm pretty sure that metal detectors are loops of wire that have an inductive current set up in them by the motion of magnetic objects near them. The detector is just an antenna to detect magnetic flux -- it doesn't actually emit anything.

Now I'm going to google it and see if I'm right.

edit: nope. Hand held metal detectors do produce their own magnetic fields. Interesting stuff.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/metal-detector1.htm

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

[bch7773 0]

Quote

The metal detectors that they use for gambling cruise ships will detect the metal foil wrappers on condoms.



Unfortunately...

hahhahahaha. "Honestly, I don't know how that got in my wallet! someone must have put that there!"

MB 3528, RB 1182

[selbbub78 0]

I've been told it won't, but haven't had time to try it out yet.

CReW Skies,

"Women fake orgasms - men fake whole relationships" – Sharon Stone
"The world is my dropzone" (wise crewdog quote)
"The light dims, until full darkness pierces into the world."-KDM

[bmoore21184 0]

I haven't set one off yet with my femur rod and screws. Anyone had the screws removed from a femur rod? I am getting the ones in my knee out next month. Knee screws = pain

B Moore

'Turbulence is a bitch'

[skybeergodd 0]

If I don't set off metal detectors then no body should....I'm a walking tribute to the wonders of modern orthopedics. Rod and screws in the left femur...plates and screws in the right wrist....screws in the left shoulder blade and just for good measure teflon tubes and more screws in my right elbow...and all from different various accidents....and now I only pray that Chicks really do dig scars

[airtwardo 7]

Quote

The metal detectors that they use for gambling cruise ships will detect the metal foil wrappers on condoms.



Unfortunately...

***

Next time don't put in on until you get to the room!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[mcarchangel 0]

Metal detectors will only detect two kinds of metal. Iron/steel, and nickel. Nickel is the only other ferrous metal that alters a magnetic field. So only those two will set off a detector.

-------------------------------------------------------
"These are the old days, the bad days, the all-or-nothing days. They're back! There's no choice left, and I'm ready for war."

[nacmacfeegle 0]

I have a Titanium K-nail, with a bunch of screws at the knee and hip.
Its been all over the place with me, the only places it set off airport detectors were the walk through ones in Kuala Lumpur, and in Singapore.
Its never set off a wand.
Maybe the Asians have more 'twitchy' machines?
I've been through security at major aiports such as Auckland, Heathrow, Paris, LA, Houston, Bangkok, Berlin, Frankfurt, Washington, and Schiphol, and Scatsta....

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson