Smooth Ride. 

Most metals transmit vibration.  Titanium dampens vibration. Our trademark titanium TiLite wheelchairs offer the smoothest, most responsive ride of any wheelchair available without adding heavy suspension devices.

Light Weight; Superior Strength.

Most metals are heavy or weak. Both Titanium and Aluminum are light and strong. At TiLite we use only the highest quality materials that are designed to last and hold up to the demands of even the most active wheelchair user.

Custom Built. 

Each chair at TiLite is designed and built using state-of-the-art engineering techniques.  For most models, we do not bend a tube until your order is received.  This allows our skilled fabricators to build your TiLite chair to your exact specifications – no matter how custom!  No other wheelchair manufacturer offers the same variety of standard and custom options, providing a truly orthoses-like fit.  This is what makes each TiLite wheelchair The Ultimate Ride.

Durable. 

Most metals rust or corrode. Aluminum resists corrosion under most circumstances and titanium doesn’t show signs of corrosion for its lifetime. At TiLite you have the option: a strong, custom built aluminum frame, or a custom built  titanium chair that has the added benefit of vibration dampening and superior durability. Our satin and polished titanium finishes always maintain a new, fresh look and are virtually impervious to chips and scratches and our variety of paint colors for both the titanium and aluminum chairs are carefully chosen to maintain that “like new” appearance it has the first day out of the box.

Materials: The Details

Titanium (Ti)

Titanium is a metallic element whose unique properties - including high strength, low density, excellent fatigue life, corrosion resistance and low elastic modulus - make it the ideal material for wheelchair frames and other tubular structures.  Most people believe it is very rare, but titanium is actually the ninth most abundant element on earth.  However, it is expensive because its extreme reactivity with oxygen makes it very difficult to refine and process into finished products such as the seamless tubes used by TiLite in frame construction. Working with titanium requires expertise and precision because, unlike aluminum, you cannot fix your welding or bending mistakes.  The expert fabricators at TiLite have the experience and know-how that outshines other wheelchair manufacturers.

TiLite utilizes an alloy of titanium with 3% aluminum and 2.5% vanadium, known as Ti 3-2.5, for the majority of its products. Ti 3-2.5 was developed for the aerospace industry for use in high pressure hydraulic lines and is found on virtually all commercial and military airplanes being built in the western world.

The benefits of titanium wheelchairs:

• High Strength-to-Weight Ratio. A high strength-to-weight ratio means that we use less material to build a strong frame.  This allows TiLite to manufacture a lighter and more durable wheelchair that is only marginally more expensive than its aluminum counterparts.
  
  
• Smooth Ride.  Titanium, unlike other metals, is an excellent vibration dampener. Dampening refers to the material’s ability to decrease the amount of vibration transmitted to the user; it is a property of the metal and the structure itself.  Because titanium has a low elastic modulus (a property of the metal) and the correct stiffness (a property of the structure and the shape of the structure), this translates into a smooth ride without the need for additional suspension elements. It benefits the rider by minimizing the bumps and jolts he or she feels, reducing fatigue and increasing all-day comfort.
  
  

• Durability. The high strength and low density of Ti 3-2.5 allow for the fabrication of tubular structures that are not only light in weight but extremely strong and durable. Titanium does not rust or corrode in any type of atmospheric environment.  Titanium also has high fracture toughness and fatigue resistance, resulting in structures that will take a pounding without failing. While other metals start to break down or fatigue with repetitive use, titanium does not show signs of wear even after years of use!

Aluminum (Al)

Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the world and is readily available.  Its mechanical properties, including high strength and light weight and the fact that is heat treatable and weldable, make it a good fit for wheelchair frame production.  TiLite uses 6061-T6 aluminum alloy that combines aluminum with magnesium and silicon.  6061 aluminum is easy to work with and is commonly used in heavy duty structures requiring good corrosion resistance and in high pressure applications.

The expert fabricators and welders at TiLite are able to build superior aluminum wheelchair frames that provide the end user with a truly custom fit at a more flexible price.

The benefits of aluminum wheelchairs:

• Light Weight.  Aluminum wheelchairs are light and easy to propel.  Once you dial in your configuration, such as seat position and rear wheel position (center of gravity) you will find these light weight wheelchairs extremely easy to push – easing the stress on the shoulders.
  
  
• Easy to Work With.  Aluminum is a perfect metal for wheelchair frames because it lends itself well to being bent and welded in a variety of shapes.  We can build the chair to the user’s exact specifications and be sure to get the perfect fit.  It also looks good in color!
  
  
• Cost Effective.  Because aluminum is readily available, it is also relatively inexpensive.  But don’t be fooled by cheap imitations – the quality of aluminum alloys varies significantly.  At TiLite, we use only aerospace grade 6061-T6 aluminum that has good corrosion resistance and high strength.  Why settle for less!

The Bottom Line. 

At TiLite, we have chosen materials for wheelchair frame construction that best facilitate the user’s needs in a modern day wheelchair.  Today’s wheelchair users demand the highest level of performance, quality and style.  TiLite is who they come to for the chair that has the best ride characteristics - the lowest weight, the best corrosion resistance and the longest fatigue life.  By providing an array of options and materials, TiLite ensures that the unique needs of each individual are met. Therapists can prescribe a TiLite wheelchair with full confidence, knowing that the successful outcome of the rehab process will be enhanced through the properly fit wheelchair. End-user design input is also critical to the increased functionality of TiLite products. Feedback from our customers (end-users, care-givers, health professionals and suppliers), help to dictate our design criteria, which makes TiLite the brand of choice by wheelchair users throughout the world for 10 years running!  Our commitment to quality, style and performance stands out among all the others.