JOM

Langton, Thomas G.

doi: 10.1007/BF03354493pmid: N/A

Kelto, Clifford A.;Kosmal, Brian A.;Eylon, D.;Froes, F. H.

doi: 10.1007/BF03354494pmid: N/A

Summary Titanium alloys, by virtue of their attractive strength-to-density ratio, fatigue, fracture toughness, and corrosion resistance, are logical candidates for many aerospace applications. However, high fabrication and machining costs, augmented by recent sponge availability problems and sharply rising material costs, have consistently caused sharp reductions in the extent of titanium usage from conception to final design of major aircraft systems. Of the “near-net shape” processes recently developed or advanced for the purpose of reducing material input and machining for titanium alloy part production, powder metallurgy exhibits the widest range of process variations and potential applications in airframe and aeropropulsion systems. This paper presents an overview of titanium powder metallurgy, including both advantages and drawbacks of current powder production and consolidation methods. The cost and physical property differences observed to date and projected for the future between conventionally fabricated parts and P/M processed components is discussed, and anticipated technical requirements for widespread use of Ti P/M parts in light of today’s powder quality questions are considered.