An unusual phenomenon observed when anodising CP titanium to produce coloured surfaces for jewellery and other decorative uses

The unpredictability of the evenness of colour developed on titanium surfaces for use in jewellery has led to a research project at Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design (CSM) to investigate the detailed structure of the thin oxide films that produce the interference colours.In the course of some initial investigations an unusual phenomenon was observed when a specific material was anodised. Examination of the anodised surface by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a profusion of flower-like ‘oxide growths’ developed in random orientations from about 30 V with increasing density up to 110 V.In honour of the late Professor Harvey Flower these features are currently referred to as ‘Flower oxides’ or ‘flowers’.Further work is continuing to clarify the nature of these growth features and their structure and composition.