Researchers in the United States have found a fast and effective processing method for low-temperature titanium alloys

Titanium is widely used in the aerospace industry because of its high strength and low density, but compared with steel and aluminum and other metals, its thermal processing cost is high, and it is at a disadvantage in economy. Researchers at Florida International University in the United States have found a fast and effective low-temperature titanium alloy processing method that requires 50% less heat, which provides greater potential for the research of new titanium matrix composites.

The researchers used powder metallurgy manufacturing methods to simultaneously apply low temperature (up to 650 ° C) and high pressure (up to 555 MPa) environments in spark plasma sintering (SPS), and finally obtained high density parts, which are similar in mechanical properties and structural functions to high-temperature treated titanium alloy parts. This discovery is attributed to the "high-pressure assisted mass transfer and induced plastic deformation mechanism" during alloy processing. Through electron microscopy, the researchers found that at low temperatures, the pressure on the alloy powder particles exceeded their plastic limits and promoted their densification.

Titanium matrix composites are considered to be more favorable to be processed at low temperature. The research results not only provide an alternative method for high temperature titanium processing, but also provide favorable conditions for the development of titanium matrix composites.