Introduction
Titanium is a white lustrous metal with very low density, great strength, high corrosion resistance and excellent properties at elevated temperatures. Titanium and titanium alloys find wide application in the aerospace, chemical, petrochemical, marine and medical industries due to these favorable properties.
The titanium alloy used most extensively in the aerospace industry is Ti-6Al-4V. This alloy combines good strength and creep resistance with excellent toughness and weldability. Other titanium alloys are used to process various components because they will work in chemically aggressive environments or accommodate extremely high temperatures.
Titanium and Titanium Alloy Forging
The aerospace and defense industries widely use titanium and titanium alloys. These materials are invaluable due to their very high strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to corrosion, hydrogen embrittlement, and creep at elevated temperatures. Titanium substitution has been the key to weight savings for first- and business-class commercial aircraft, combat aircraft, airframes and aircraft engines, land-based and space-borne applications in military and commercial products, as well as to reduce emissions from power generators and other industrial equipment such as process piping.
Many companies offer titanium forging services, and it is important to understand the process in order to select the optimal supplier for your needs. Titanium and titanium alloy forgings can be fabricated from ingot, billet or slab, and forged rings can be produced from flat stock or cut from larger rings. Depending on the size of the forgings and the desired end-use application, the shape of the titanium forging can be a simple geometrical shape or a more complex profile. Round, hollow, blind, and solid bars, disks and blocks of many different sizes and shapes can be produced using titanium alloys.
Titanium and titanium alloy forgings are usually produced in closed die forging machines. This process comprises of several steps, and it involves heating the titanium material to the forging temperature, placing it in the closed die forging machine, and then striking it with enough force to achieve the desired shape. This process allows for the creation of strong parts with great surface finish.
Titanium and Titanium Alloy Billets
Titanium billets are semi-finished products that are typically used as a starting material for further processing, such as machining, welding, or forging. Titanium billets are a common material used in aerospace and defense applications due to their superior strength-to-weight ratio and good corrosion resistance. Billet material is also used to produce large-scale components, as well as objects with complex shapes, that require precise dimensional control.
Titanium billets are available in a variety of grades and shapes, including round and rectangular. They are produced by treating titanium scrap such as mill scale, chips or pellets to form a large block and then work it into the desired shape. Billet material is produced with and without heat treatment. Annealed billets are softer and more formable compared to heat treated billets, which have superior surface finish, tensile strength and corrosion resistance.
Conclusion
Titanium and titanium alloy forging and billets are extensively used in the aerospace and defense industries due to their superior strength-to-weight ratio, good corrosion resistance, and excellent properties at elevated temperatures. Forged rings can be produced from flat stock or cut from larger rings, and billets can be produced in a variety of grades and shapes. Titanium and titanium alloy forging and billets can be used to create complex components with precise dimensional control, and they offer excellent tensile strength and good surface finish.
