Iron-Containing Titanium Alloy via Powder Metallurgy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for producing titanium alloys, such as Ti-6Al-4V, face challenges in cost reduction and element segregation during production, particularly with vanadium and iron, which affects their workability and mechanical properties.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of titanium alloy scrap processed through the hydrogenation-dehydrogenation (HDH) method to produce titanium alloy powder, which is then mixed with iron powder and subjected to hot extrusion, allowing for the creation of iron-containing titanium alloys with improved strength and hardness without segregation, at a lower production cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional melting method is used to produce titanium alloys, then production cost is reduced, but element segregation occurs during solidification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidelement segregation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the production method from conventional melting to powder metallurgy, fundamentally altering the processing parameters to avoid liquid-state solidification and the associated segregation. This parameter change enables cost-effective production while maintaining compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite powder mixtures consisting of titanium powder and master alloy powder as raw materials. This composite approach allows for homogeneous distribution of alloying elements before consolidation, preventing segregation while maintaining production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If powder metallurgy with blended elemental method is used, then element segregation is prevented, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelement segregationVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces master alloy powder as an intermediary material that contains pre-alloyed elements. This intermediary form facilitates homogeneous distribution of alloying elements during powder mixing and consolidation, preventing segregation while avoiding the high costs of using only pure elemental powders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the powder composition parameters by using a mixture of pure titanium powder and master alloy powder in specific ratios. This parameter optimization achieves homogeneous element distribution at lower cost compared to using only blended elemental powders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If vanadium and iron content is increased to improve mechanical properties, then strength is improved, but element segregation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoidelement segregation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the composition parameters by using master alloy powder with controlled vanadium and iron content. This parameter control allows achieving desired strength properties while maintaining homogeneous distribution and preventing segregation during consolidation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The resulting titanium alloy exhibits superior strength and hardness, reduced production costs, and avoids element segregation, making it suitable for high-strength mechanical and aircraft applications.

Implementation Method 1

titanium alloy scrap processed through the hydrogenation-dehydrogenation (HDH) method to produce titanium alloy powder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 2

titanium alloy scrap processed through the hydrogenation-dehydrogenation (HDH) method to produce titanium alloy powder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDehydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 3

mixed with iron powder and subjected to hot extrusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHot extrusion: Extrusion

Implementation Method 4

subjected to hot extrusion, allowing for the creation of iron-containing titanium alloys

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasticity: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9969004B2α+β or β titanium alloy and method for producing same

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 TOHO TITANIUM CO LTD

AI summary

Titanium alloy containing iron, that is, iron-containing titanium alloy having high strength and hardness in which iron in a composition which cannot be realized in a conventional method, is contained with no segregation, and is provided in lower cost. The α+β titanium alloy or β titanium alloy is produced by a forming process such as hot extrusion of titanium alloy powder containing 3 to 15 mass % of iron powder. The method for production of the α+β titanium alloy or β titanium alloy includes a step of mixing 3 to 15 mass % of iron powder and titanium alloy powder as the remainder, and a step of performing a forming process of hot extrusion on this powder mixture.