Titan on steel can cold-weld.
Most titanium bolts are uncoated or only anodized.
That looks nice — but it does not prevent cold welding.
Under load and movement, the materials can bond microscopically.
This happens because the threaded inserts in cycling shoes are steel, and uncoated titanium is soft enough to gall and seize.
TiCN coating prevents this.
- Creates a hard, low-friction barrier
- Eliminates direct metal-to-metal contact
- Prevents cold welding with steel inserts
- Far harder and more durable than anodizing