A method for preparing a local porous and position-controllable titanium alloy functional material

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of functional titanium alloy material casting technology, and discloses a method for preparing locally porous and positionally controllable functional titanium alloy materials. The method includes: selecting hollow ceramic spheres and fabricating a prefabricated structure adapted to the desired porous material; selecting a mold adapted to the porous material, installing the prefabricated structure into the designated position of the mold according to the porous material's manufacturing requirements, and then forming a casting mold; selecting a suitable alloy material according to the porous material's design requirements, heating and liquefying the alloy material, and then pouring molten metal into the casting mold; the molten metal flowing within the mold, filling the gaps between the mold's inner cavity and the hollow ceramic spheres of the prefabricated structure with the alloy material; and removing the mold to obtain the desired porous material. This invention can be applied to existing titanium alloy casting technology, meeting the needs of simple process flow, easy implementation, and rapid design and development, and providing technical support for the customization, manufacturing, and widespread application of locally porous functional titanium alloy materials.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of functional titanium alloy material casting technology, and particularly relates to a method for preparing functional titanium alloy materials with locally porous and position-controllable porous structures. Background Technology

[0002] Titanium and titanium alloys possess excellent properties such as low density, high specific strength, and good corrosion resistance, making them ideal materials for marine environments and earning them the title of "marine metal." Porous titanium alloys are an advanced type of functional titanium alloy material. They combine the high specific strength and corrosion resistance of titanium alloys with the low density, energy absorption, electromagnetic shielding, and sound insulation properties of porous materials. As a high-end functional and lightweight material, they are widely used in the manufacture of equipment components for navigation, deep-sea operations, aviation, and weaponry, with broad application prospects.

[0003] In the overall design and manufacturing process of titanium alloy castings, some structures have lightweight requirements, or functional requirements such as noise reduction, electromagnetic shielding, and energy absorption. This necessitates fabricating a portion of the casting as a porous titanium alloy material. Furthermore, such products are generally custom-made, suitable for single-piece or small-batch rapid development and fabrication. However, current titanium alloy casting technology can only produce titanium alloy castings or porous titanium alloys with simple shapes, failing to achieve regional control and overall manufacturing of porous and solid components.

[0004] Therefore, this application designs a method for preparing locally porous and position-controllable titanium alloy functional materials to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention proposes a method for preparing locally porous and position-controllable titanium alloy functional materials.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a method for preparing locally porous and positionally controllable titanium alloy functional materials, comprising the following steps:

[0007] Hollow ceramic spheres are selected, and prefabricated structures adapted to the porous regions of the titanium alloy functional material to be prepared are fabricated accordingly.

[0008] The prefabricated structure is installed into the designated position of the mold according to the manufacturing requirements of titanium alloy functional materials and then made into a casting.

[0009] Prepare alloy materials, heat and liquefy the alloy materials, and then pour the molten metal into the mold.

[0010] The molten metal flows inside the mold, causing the alloy material to fill the cavity of the mold and the gaps between the pre-fabricated hollow ceramic spheres;

[0011] The mold is removed to obtain the desired functional titanium alloy material with porous regions in a controllable location.

[0012] Preferably, the hollow ceramic sphere comprises one or both of zirconium oxide and alumina, and has a diameter of 3mm-5mm.

[0013] Preferably, the mold and the prefabricated structure are fixed together by titanium pins and sheets.

[0014] Preferably, during the mold removal process, the prefabricated structure is not separated from the titanium alloy functional material, and the prefabricated structure is embedded in the designed position of the titanium alloy functional material.

[0015] Preferably, the mold includes a mold body, and the mold body is provided with a model cavity adapted to the titanium alloy functional material, and the prefabricated structure is provided at the designed position of the model cavity; the mold body is provided with a pouring hole communicating with the model cavity.

[0016] Preferably, the titanium alloy functional material includes a titanium alloy functional material body, and the titanium alloy functional material body is provided with porous regions.

[0017] Preferably, the prefabricated structure comprises a prefabricated thin layer or a prefabricated blank.

[0018] Preferably, when the prefabricated structure includes a prefabricated thin layer, the prefabricated thin layer is formed by 3D printing using the hollow ceramic spheres.

[0019] Preferably, when the prefabricated structure includes the prefabricated blank, the prefabricated blank is formed by sintering the hollow ceramic spheres.

[0020] Preferably, the preform blank is processed into a preform block by CNC machining.

[0021] Preferably, the preform blank is processed into a preform block by CNC machining.

[0022] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has the following advantages and technical effects: This invention provides a method for preparing locally porous titanium alloy functional materials with controllable porous locations. By designing and controlling the shape and position of hollow ceramic sphere preforms, the shape and position of the porous regions in titanium alloy castings can be controlled, satisfying the localized porous design requirements for complex and irregularly shaped titanium alloy castings. Furthermore, performance can be controlled by adjusting the particle size of the hollow ceramic spheres. Through partial assembly of molds and preforms, locally porous castings can be prepared. The porous structure meets functional requirements such as corrosion resistance, lightweight, energy absorption, noise reduction, and electromagnetic shielding. Other parts meet the structural requirements of high strength, lightweight, and corrosion resistance in titanium alloy structures. Different parts can be applied to different application scenarios, offering the advantage of a short manufacturing cycle and meeting the needs for rapid product design, preparation, and personalized customization. The gravity casting method, which obtains a preform from hollow ceramic spheres and then obtains locally porous titanium alloy functional materials through casting, offers advantages such as simple process, high production efficiency, and low manufacturing cost.

[0023] This invention can be applied to existing titanium alloy casting technology, meeting the needs of simple process flow, easy implementation and rapid design and development, and providing technical support for the customization, manufacturing and promotion of locally porous titanium alloys. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 This invention relates to a porous titanium alloy functional material.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a mold for casting the porous titanium alloy functional material of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the mold of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the thin layer of the preform of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the preform of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the prefabricated block of the present invention;

[0031] In the figure: 1. Preform thin layer; 2. Titanium alloy functional material; 3. Mold cavity; 4. Titanium pin; 5. Thin sheet; 6. Porous area; 7. Preform blank; 8. Preform block; 9. Main body of titanium alloy functional material; 10. Hollow ceramic ball; 11. Mold body; 12. Gating hole; 13. Venting hole. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] Reference Figure 1-4 As shown, this embodiment provides a locally porous and positionally controllable titanium alloy functional material, including the following steps:

[0036] Hollow ceramic spheres 10 are selected, and a prefabricated structure adapted to them is made using titanium alloy functional material 2 prepared according to requirements.

[0037] Select a mold that is compatible with titanium alloy functional material 2, install the prefabricated structure into the designated position of the mold according to the manufacturing requirements of titanium alloy functional material 2, and then make a casting.

[0038] According to the design requirements of titanium alloy functional material 2, select a suitable alloy material, heat and liquefy the alloy material and then pour the molten metal into the mold.

[0039] The molten metal flows inside the mold, causing the alloy material to fill the gap between the inner cavity of the mold and the prefabricated hollow ceramic spheres 10.

[0040] The mold was removed to obtain the required titanium alloy functional material 2.

[0041] This invention discloses a method for preparing locally porous titanium alloy functional materials with controllable porous locations. By designing and controlling the shape and position of hollow ceramic spheres 10 preforms, the shape and position of the porous regions 6 in titanium alloy castings can be controlled, satisfying the localized porous design requirements of complex and irregularly shaped titanium alloy castings. Furthermore, the performance can be controlled by adjusting the particle size of the hollow ceramic spheres 10. Through partial assembly of molds and preforms, locally porous castings can be prepared. The porous structure meets functional requirements such as corrosion resistance, lightweight, energy absorption, noise reduction, and electromagnetic shielding. Other parts meet the structural requirements of high strength, lightweight, and corrosion resistance in titanium alloy structures. Different parts can be applied to different application scenarios, offering the advantage of a short manufacturing cycle and meeting the needs of rapid product design, preparation, and personalized customization. Using gravity casting, the preform structure is obtained from hollow ceramic spheres 10, and then locally porous titanium alloy functional materials are obtained through casting. This method has advantages such as simple process, high production efficiency, and low manufacturing cost. This invention can be applied to existing titanium alloy casting technology, meeting the needs of simple process flow, easy implementation and rapid design and development, and providing technical support for the customization, manufacturing and promotion of locally porous titanium alloys.

[0042] Further optimization of the design: the hollow ceramic sphere 10 comprises zirconium oxide and alumina, with a diameter of 3mm-15mm. This embodiment uses zirconium oxide or alumina as the material for the hollow ceramic sphere, which effectively reduces weight while providing sufficient strength and high hardness, enabling it to form a high-strength structure when combined with titanium alloy materials.

[0043] Furthermore, zirconium oxide and aluminum oxide have high bonding properties with titanium alloy materials, allowing for a stronger bond during casting and ensuring the strength of the formed titanium alloy functional material 2.

[0044] The design was further optimized, with the mold and prefabricated structure secured by titanium pins 4 and thin sheets 5. The prefabricated structure is fixed within the mold cavity 3 using titanium pins 4 and thin sheets 5, ensuring convenient and rapid fixation and preventing the prefabricated structure from shaking during the pouring process, thus guaranteeing pouring accuracy.

[0045] To further optimize the design, during mold removal, the prefabricated structure and the titanium alloy functional material 2 are not separated; the prefabricated structure is embedded in the designed position of the titanium alloy functional material 2. After casting, the prefabricated structure and the cast titanium alloy liquid are not separated, allowing the prefabricated structure to remain within the formed titanium alloy functional material 2, forming a localized porous region 6, thus reducing structural weight while ensuring structural strength.

[0046] Further optimization of the design: The mold includes a mold body 11, within which a mold cavity 3 adapted to the titanium alloy functional material 2 is provided. A prefabricated structure is positioned at a design location within the mold cavity 3. A pouring hole 12 communicating with the mold cavity 3 is provided on the mold body 11. In this embodiment, the mold body 11 is divided into two openable parts, with a mold cavity 3 for molding the titanium alloy functional material 2 located between the two parts. Pouring allows the prefabricated structure to be installed at a designated position within the mold cavity 3. In use, liquid titanium alloy material is injected into the mold cavity 3 through the pouring hole 12 communicating with the mold cavity 3 to form the desired titanium alloy functional material 2.

[0047] Furthermore, the mold in this embodiment is provided with several vent holes 13 to expel air from the mold cavity 3 during casting, thereby ensuring casting quality.

[0048] In a further optimized design, the titanium alloy functional material 2 includes a titanium alloy functional material body 9, on which porous regions 6 are provided. In this embodiment, the titanium alloy functional material body 9 is cast through a mold cavity 3 according to the design, and the porous regions 6 can be set in different positions as needed.

[0049] Further optimization of the scheme: the prefabricated structure includes a prefabricated thin layer 1 or a prefabricated blank 7. The prefabricated structure of this application can be divided into two types according to its position and shape: prefabricated thin layer 1 and prefabricated blank 7. When the porous region 6 is a relatively thin and flat structure, prefabricated thin layer 1 can be selected; while when the porous region 6 is a thick and uneven structure with poor flatness, prefabricated blank 7 can be selected.

[0050] Further optimization of the scheme: When the prefabricated structure includes a prefabricated thin layer 1, the prefabricated thin layer 1 is formed by 3D printing using hollow ceramic spheres 10. When the porous region 6 is the prefabricated thin layer 1, the prefabricated thin layer 1 is formed by combining several hollow ceramic spheres together using 3D printing. The hollow ceramic spheres are able to be bonded together with low strength to meet the requirement of not collapsing during handling.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a 3D printing method is used to fabricate the preform thin layer 1, which has high preparation efficiency and low cost, and can realize the preparation of porous titanium on the surface of titanium castings.

[0052] Preparation method:

[0053] Step 1: A porous prefabricated thin layer 1 with a certain strength is prepared by 3D printing using hollow ceramic spheres. The hollow ceramic spheres in the prefabricated thin layer 1 can be bonded together with low strength to meet the requirement of not collapsing during handling. The prefabricated thin layer 1 is fixed in the designated position of the mold cavity 3 of the mold by using small titanium pins 4 and thin sheets 5 to obtain a titanium alloy casting. The mold cavity 3 inside the casting is completely connected, and the molten metal can complete the forming process by passing through the mold cavity 3 and the pores in the prefabricated thin layer 1 under the action of gravity.

[0054] Step 2: Pour in molten titanium alloy. After entering through the pouring port, the molten metal flows within the mold cavity 3 and seeps into the pores of the preform thin layer 1, completing the filling process. After filling, the molten titanium alloy solidifies and separates the mold cavity 3 from the titanium alloy functional material 2. The preform thin layer 1 remains within the surface of the titanium alloy functional material 2, and the hollow cavity features inside the hollow ceramic spheres are preserved, forming a titanium alloy functional material 2 composed of hollow ceramic spheres 10 and titanium alloy composite. The surface titanium alloy functional material 2 is composed of a large number of closely arranged hollow ceramic spheres 10 and the titanium alloy between them. The outer wall of each hollow ceramic sphere 10 is ceramic material, and the inside is hollow. Therefore, from a macroscopic perspective, the porous surface region 6 is a material composed of titanium alloy, the outer wall of the hollow ceramic spheres 10, and the hollow inner cavity of the hollow ceramic spheres 10. The region where the preform thin layer 1 is not placed is a non-porous material. Therefore, after removing the mold, a porous titanium alloy functional material 2 can be prepared. By changing the placement position of the preform thin layer 1, the position of the porous surface area can be controlled.

[0055] Example 2

[0056] See attached document Figure 5-6 As shown, in this embodiment, when the prefabricated structure includes a prefabricated blank 7, the prefabricated blank 7 is formed by sintering hollow ceramic spheres 10.

[0057] Further optimizing the design, the preform 7 is processed into a preform block 8 using CNC machining. Since the preform 7 has a large thickness and irregular shape, making 3D printing inconvenient, adjacent hollow ceramic spheres can be sintered together at high temperature, which is more efficient and faster.

[0058] The sintered preform blank 7 can be processed by a CNC milling machine to obtain the required irregular porous preform block 8.

[0059] Preparation method:

[0060] Step 1 uses the hollow ceramic sphere sintering method to prepare a porous preform 7 with a certain strength. The hollow ceramic spheres in the preform 7 can be bonded together with low strength to meet the requirement of not collapsing during the handling process, and can also meet the requirements of subsequent processing and preparation of irregular preforms.

[0061] Step 2: Use a CNC milling machine to machine the model cavity 3 inside the mold. At the same time, process the preform blank 7 into multiple preform blocks 8 with corresponding local cavity structures inside the model cavity 3. Assemble the mold and multiple preforms to obtain the titanium alloy casting mold. A fixed structure is set between the preform block 8 and the mold. All the model cavities 3 are in a connected state. The molten metal can complete the forming process by passing through the pores of the model cavity 3 and the preform blocks under the action of gravity.

[0062] Step 3: Pour in molten titanium alloy. After entering through the pouring port, the molten metal flows through the mold cavity 3 and seeps into the porous structure of the preform 8, completing the filling process. After filling, the molten titanium alloy solidifies and is formed. After removing the mold, the preform 8 remains inside the titanium alloy functional material 2, and the cavity features inside the hollow ceramic spheres of the preform 8 are preserved. Porous hollow ceramic sphere / titanium alloy composite materials of different sizes and shapes are formed in multiple areas. Therefore, after removing the mold, a titanium alloy functional material 2 with multiple porous areas of titanium casting can be prepared. By changing the placement position of the hollow ceramic sphere preform, the porous position can be controlled. Through the rapid machining of the preform 8 made of mold and hollow ceramic spheres, the rapid preparation of this functional material can be achieved.

[0063] In this embodiment, hollow ceramic sphere preform 7 is produced by sintering. It can be prepared into standard size in advance and can meet the rapid processing and preparation of multiple hollow ceramic sphere preforms of different sizes and shapes. It can also be used for the design and manufacture of porous structures with complex shapes in different regions.

[0064] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0065] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for preparing locally porous and positionally controllable functional titanium alloy materials, characterized in that... Includes the following steps: Hollow ceramic spheres (10) are selected, and a prefabricated structure adapted to the porous region (6) of the titanium alloy functional material (2) prepared according to the requirements is made. After the prefabricated structure is installed into the designated position of the mold according to the manufacturing requirements of titanium alloy functional material (2), it is made into a casting. Prepare alloy materials, heat and liquefy the alloy materials, and then pour the molten metal into the mold. The molten metal flows inside the mold, causing the alloy material to fill the gap between the inner cavity of the mold and the prefabricated hollow ceramic spheres (10); Remove the mold to obtain the desired titanium alloy functional material (2) with a porous region (6) and a controllable position of the porous region (6). The mold includes a mold body (11), and a mold cavity (3) adapted to the titanium alloy functional material (2) is provided inside the mold body (11). The prefabricated structure is provided at the design position of the mold cavity (3). A pouring hole (12) communicating with the mold cavity (3) is provided on the mold body (11). The titanium alloy functional material (2) includes a titanium alloy functional material body (9), and the titanium alloy functional material body (9) is provided with a porous region (6). The prefabricated structure includes a prefabricated thin layer (1) or a prefabricated block (8).

2. The method for preparing locally porous and position-controllable titanium alloy functional materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hollow ceramic sphere (10) includes one or both of zirconium oxide and alumina, and has a diameter of 3mm-15mm.

3. The method for preparing locally porous and position-controllable titanium alloy functional materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mold and the prefabricated structure are fixed by titanium pins (4) and thin sheets (5).

4. The method for preparing locally porous and position-controllable titanium alloy functional materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: During the mold removal process, the prefabricated structure and the titanium alloy functional material (2) are not separated, and the prefabricated structure is embedded in the designed position of the titanium alloy functional material (2).

5. The method for preparing locally porous and position-controllable titanium alloy functional materials according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the prefabricated structure includes a prefabricated thin layer (1), the prefabricated thin layer (1) is formed by 3D printing using the hollow ceramic sphere (10).

6. The method for preparing locally porous and position-controllable titanium alloy functional materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the prefabricated structure includes the prefabricated block (8), the prefabricated block (8) is prepared by processing the prefabricated blank (7) by CNC machining.

7. The method for preparing locally porous and position-controllable titanium alloy functional materials according to claim 6, characterized in that: The preform (7) is formed by sintering the hollow ceramic spheres (10).

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