Originally Posted by
Ridley
Pure titanium doesn't rust, but the titanium that turnbuckles are made from is 6-4 titanium alloy. (6% Aluminum, 4% vanadium) Pure titanium is rather weak, very flexible, and shears easily.
6-4 Ti WILL get a patina on the metal. Nothing to worry about, some wd40 and steel wool will remove it. Don't worry about it being "cheap" Ti, 6-4 is optimal for the application.
I would think 3-2.5 ti would be better. Not as rigid, and "brittle", it should bend a bit instead of snapping, plus it is easier to work.