At what temperature can you forge titanium?

28 Oct.,2024

 

Forming of Titanium and Titanium Alloys: Part One

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Hot and cold working or shaping of the titanium alloys involves forging, rolling, extrusion, drawing, spinning, and other such operations.
Operations such as forging and rolling, in which the basic ingot is processed into standard forms of billets, sheet, plate, rod, and wire, will be referred to as primary forming operations. Bending, extrusion, drawing, spinning, in which these standard forms are further fabricated, will be referred to as secondary operations.

Hot and cold working or shaping of the titanium alloys involves forging, rolling, extrusion, drawing, spinning, and other such operations.

Operations such as forging and rolling, in which the basic ingot is processed into standard forms of billets, sheet, plate, rod, and wire, will be referred to as primary forming operations. Bending, extrusion, drawing, spinning, in which these standard forms are further fabricated, will be referred to as secondary operations.

For primary forming, conventional equipment used for steel has been found applicable to titanium. Titanium, of course, requires a modification of the forming techniques used for other metals. These involve such important considerations as time, temperature, and pressure. Likewise, the secondary forming operations require similar modifications.

In general, the shaping of titanium by the various conventional techniques can be successfully accomplished. Several simple rules might apply to all forming procedures. Form cold wherever possible. Where hot forming is required, heat can be applied to the metal or forming dies. In all instances, forming should be done with slow steady pressures. In cases where severe cold forming is carried out, post-heat treatment for the relief of residual stresses is usually preferable.

 

Forging

Forging is a method of shaping whereby the metal is deformed by the action of repeated blows. Open die and closed die are the two basic methods of forging titanium. Here the force is applied by a hammer, with gravitational force being utilized either alone or in combination with steam pressure, air pressure, or some supplementary force. The forging operation must be carried out with the metal kept at an elevated temperature to facilitate the flow of the titanium.

Open die forging is usually employed to rough-shape the material. To accomplish this, flat dies V-dies, and swage die are used. Flat dies are primarily used to forge flat material or to forge rounds into polygonal shapes. V-dies may also accomplish this on round or square stock. Swage or curved dies are used to reduce the diameter of round stock or to produce rounds from polygonal stock.

Titanium has been successfully forged by the open die method using conventional equipment designed for steel, but with lower temperatures and increased pressures. The lower temperature is required in the forging of titanium since this will, first, limit the resultant surface contamination and, second, prevent excessive grain growth, both of which reduce ductility in the forged part. Because of the lower temperature, it becomes necessary to use higher pressures to deform the metal.

Forging temperatures usually range between °F (790°C) and °F (°C). Lower temperatures up to °F (900°C) are applicable to the unalloyed titanium, while higher temperatures are used with alloyed titanium. Lower temperatures than those stated can be used if the equipment is capable of delivering the force necessary to deform the metal.

It has been recommended that soaking temperatures are around to °F (650 to 700°C) and that the material be heated to the forging temperature just prior to the operation. Forging can be carried out as the temperature drops. To obtain good ductility, it has been found preferable to finish-forge at a temperature not below °F (840°C).

Closed die forging differs from open die in that a finished shape is produced. The metal is forced into a preshaped die so that the exact desired contours are obtained. In closed die forging, temperatures and pressures for heavy parts are comparable to those employed for open die forging. Light gauge material is formed at 800 to °F (425 to 540°C) with slightly lower pressures required and a slower deformation rate.

 

Swaging

Swaging may be defined as the tapering or reduction of the end of a rod, polygonal bar, or tube. This is not to be confused with the swage dies used in open die forging. This process employs either two or four dies held on a revolving spindle, which have on their face the impressions to be shaped. This operation has been successfully carried out on titanium at temperatures between 500 and 700°F (260 and 370°C).

 

Upsetting

Upsetting is used to increase the diameter of the end of a bar, rod, or tube. In this process, a uniformly round piece is held between two preformed dies, and pressure is applied intermittently in rapid blows against the end, forcing the metal against the dies. This forces the ends to spread laterally and to be compressed longitudinally.

Any desired shapes which are to be formed on the upset portion of the metal must be preformed into the dies. With titanium the process has been best carried out at temperatures from 800 to °F (425 to 540°C).

 

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Cold Heading

For forging rivets and bolts and similar types of fasteners, cold heading has proved an adequate method. Cold heading involves the forming of somewhat intricate shapes on the end of wire or small diameter rod by upsetting the end of the rods and forcing the metal to cold-flow into a die.

Unalloyed titanium has been cold-headed on either single or double rivet or screw heading machines. On forming large-headed fasteners, it has been found preferable to preheat the stock to 500°F (260°C) to prevent cracking in the upset portion.

 

What to Know About Titanium Forging

Businesses in many industries&#;including aerospace, marine shipbuilding, and military/defense&#;rely on titanium forging for various industrial and production-based uses. The metal&#;s high demand is primarily thanks to the remarkable strength-to-density ratio of forged titanium alloys and the metal&#;s significant anti-corrosive properties.

Both of these features result in a durable and reliable material that can work well on land, in the air, and even under the sea&#;all of which illustrate the versatility of titanium alloys. Forged titanium is beneficial because it allows you to get precision parts in custom dimensions for specialized applications that call for titanium&#;s strength and versatility.

Here&#;s a quick overview of some processes used for forging titanium alloys, including the impact of different forging temperatures on the end product.

The Titanium Forging Process

Titanium forging is a set of specialized manufacturing processes used to create components from titanium alloys. The process that is ultimately used depends on the metallurgical properties of the starting material, plus the specific structure the forger is looking to create. Some of the processes include:

  • Open Die Forging &#; Blank titanium material is deformed and pressed into shape in the cavity between two molds. These molds do not completely encapsulate the material but instead provide a narrow gap through which excess material can flow out. When in the cavity, the titanium is repeatedly stamped until the desired shape is achieved.
  • Closed Die Forging &#; Also known as impression die forging, this method uses compression under high pressure to shape a heated titanium blank. The blank is covered either in full or in part by the dies, which move toward each other from top to bottom to achieve the required form.
  • Free Forging &#; Small and/or simple orders may be accomplished with free forging, a titanium forging method that is performed between two flat dies without an inner cavity. It is a relatively inexpensive and flexible method, but due to high labor requirements, it&#;s not the most common way to forge large amounts of titanium metal.
  • Isothermal Forging &#; A process by which the starting material and the die are heated to an equal and highly controlled temperature to achieve high deformation rates with minimal pressure.

Other types of titanium alloy forging, such as multi-direction die forging, extrusion die forging, partial die forging, and rolled ring forging, rely on similarly unique alignments of heat, pressure, and die used to achieve desired shapes.

There are a number of benefits to titanium alloy forging, including:

  • High Strength
  • Corrosion Resistance
  • Heat Resistance
  • Biocompatibility
  • Weldability

Additionally, there are a variety of different grades of titanium alloys that are used in the forging process, depending on the specific application requirements. When looking for titanium forging companies, ensure that the company you are interested in working with can forge titanium to the specifications you need.

Some of the most common grades include:

  • 6-4: One of the most widely used titanium alloys in forging, 6-4 titanium is particularly popular in aerospace components.
  • 6-2-4-2: Prized for its excellent creep resistance and strength at elevated temperatures, 6-2-4-2 titanium is utilized in components where high heat and stress are present.
  • 6-2-4-6: Similar to 6-2-4-2 titanium, but with improved toughness and ductility.
  • 3-2.5: Known for exceptional weldability and corrosion resistance, 3-2.5 alloy is often used in the medical industry for implants.

In short, titanium forging involves selecting the appropriate titanium alloy grade based on the application&#;s requirements, and then subjecting the billet to a series of forging processes to create high-strength, corrosion-resistant, and heat-resistant components that possess numerous benefits for a variety of industries, depending on the alloy chosen.

Effects of The Forging Temperature

Can you forge titanium at any temperature? Technically, yes; however, the temperature used must be correct for the process and part.

Hot forging is more common than cold forging, though the latter can be cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Notably, lower temperatures (below degrees Fahrenheit) are only suitable for non-alloyed titanium, while higher temperatures are a requirement for alloyed titanium.

It&#;s not just the temperature of the titanium itself that is essential during forging. The dies&#; temperature must also be controlled since excessive heat loss or variations in heat will lead to defective parts.

The importance of temperature in the titanium forging process is primarily related to the metal&#;s structural elements at various heat levels. By forging with the correct heat levels of starting material and dies, the forger can create a more robust and reliable end product&#;one that is structurally suitable for the job at hand.

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