Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder
Aluminium AlCu4Ti powder is an aluminum alloy powder containing copper and titanium. It offers high strength, good corrosion resistance, and machinability. Key properties and applications are summarized below:
Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder Properties
- High strength
- Good corrosion resistance
Low MOQ
Provide low minimum order quantity to meet different needs.
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Table of Contents
Overview
Aluminium AlCu4Ti powder is an aluminum alloy powder containing copper and titanium. It offers high strength, good corrosion resistance, and machinability. Key properties and applications are summarized below:
Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder Properties
- High strength
- Good corrosion resistance
- Good machinability and mechanical properties
- Low density
- Controlled particle size distribution
Applications of Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder
- Automotive parts
- Aerospace components
- Industrial tooling
- Pistons
- Wear parts
- Metal injection molding
Aluminium AlCu4Ti powder can be used to manufacture high-performance lightweight components across transportation, industrial, and consumer product industries. This article provides a detailed overview of its properties, processing, applications, and key suppliers.
Composition and Characteristics
The typical chemical composition of Aluminium AlCu4Ti powder is:
Chemical Composition of Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Aluminum (Al) | Balance |
| Copper (Cu) | 3.8 – 5.2 |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.10 – 0.30 |
| Other | 0.15 max |
The main alloying elements are copper and titanium. Copper improves strength through precipitation hardening while titanium acts as grain refiner giving a uniform fine-grained microstructure.
Other key properties and characteristics:
Properties and Characteristics
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.77 g/cm3 |
| Melting Point | ~540°C |
| Particle Shape | Spherical |
| Particle Size | 15 – 75 μm |
| Flow Rate | Good flowability |
| Compressibility | High |
| Sintered Density | ~97% |
The controlled particle size distribution ensures high powder flowability and packing density which is critical for consistent die-filling in metal injection molding. The spherical morphology gives excellent flow and makes the powder suitable for automated handling.
Mechanical Properties
AlCu4Ti powder can be processed into parts with very good mechanical properties through techniques like metal injection molding (MIM), hot isostatic pressing (HIP), additive manufacturing, and powder forging.
Typical properties of sintered AlCu4Ti parts:
Mechanical Properties of Sintered AlCu4Ti Parts
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 430 – 480 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 400 – 450 MPa |
| Elongation | 3 – 5% |
| Hardness | 110 – 130 HB |
The properties can be further enhanced through heat treatments. Solution treatment and aging can increase the tensile strength above 500 MPa.
The alloy has much higher strength compared to commercially pure aluminum while maintaining lower density than steel or titanium alloys. It offers one of the best strength-to-weight ratios among aluminum grades.
Applications
The combination of high strength, low density, hardness, thermal properties, and corrosion resistance makes AlCu4Ti suitable for:
Applications of Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder
| Industry | Application |
|---|---|
| Automotive | Engine components, pistons, bushes, gears |
| Aerospace | Airframe parts, engine mounts, brackets |
| Industrial | Precision tooling, fixtures, molds |
| Consumer | Sporting goods, wearables |
| Energy | Compressor parts, pumps |
Some specific application examples include:
Automotive Applications
- Pistons
- Connecting rods
- Valve lifters
- Gears
- Bushes and bearings
- Chassis components
Aerospace Applications
- Engine mounts
- Brackets and housings
- Wing components
- Rotor hubs
The excellent machinability in heat treated condition allows manufacturing complex shapes meeting tight tolerance aerospace standards.
Industrial Tooling
- Injection molding dies
- Extrusion dies
- Blow molding and die casting tooling
- Jigs, fixtures
- Rapid tooling
It has become tool steel replacement for production tools due to its shorter lead times and lower machining costs.
Several other applications benefit from high hardness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability:
- Ballistic armor plates
- Cutting tools
- Wear parts and tooling
- Motorcycle and cycling components
Lighter weight compared to steel reduces component inertia allowing improved fuel efficiency and handling.
Processing Methods
Common methods to manufacture AlCu4Ti parts include:
Processing Methods for AlCu4Ti Powder
| Method | Details | Components |
|---|---|---|
| Metal Injection Molding (MIM) | Binder mixed with powder, molded, debound, and sintered | Complex and net-shape small parts |
| Additive Manufacturing | Layers of powder fused by laser or electron beam | Prototypes, custom geometries |
| Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) | Applying high pressure at elevated temperature | Fully dense parts with properties close to wrought product |
| Powder Forging | Compacting at high pressures | Engine components like connecting rods |
MIM is most widely used to produce high volumes of small, complex parts. HIP and AM enable parts with more custom geometries. Powder forging gives enhanced properties. The processing route is selected based on factors like part geometry, quantity, cost targets, and properties.
AlCu4Ti powder is highly suited to metal injection molding. Key benefits over competing alloys:
MIM Benefits of AlCu4Ti
- Faster sintering response due to fine powder particle size distribution
- Lower sintering temperatures than ferrous materials reducing tooling cost
- Minimal liquid phase formation preventing part distortion
- Superior mold filling characteristics
The fine ~20 μm powder size enables thin wall capabilities down to ~0.5 mm reducing component weight.
Specifications and Standards
Aluminium AlCu4Ti powder composition and particle size distribution comply with these specifications:
AlCu4Ti Powder Specifications
| Standard | Designation | Particle Size |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM B602 | Al 9005 | 15 – 75 μm |
| ISO 13301 | ALDC5 | 15 – 75 μm |
| DIN 226 | AlSi9Cu3 | 15 – 75 μm |
Standards for chemical analysis methods:
- ASTM E34: Chemical analysis using optical emission spectrometry
- ASTM E1479: Chemical analysis by glow discharge mass spectrometry
- ASTM E1019: Determination of aluminum by titrimetry
Suppliers
Some leading global suppliers of Aluminium AlCu4Ti powder include:
AlCu4Ti Powder Suppliers
| Supplier | Grade Offered | Particle Size |
|---|---|---|
| Hoeganaes | ANCOR AM-705 | 17 μm (average) |
| Sandvik Osprey | A205 | 45 μm (average) |
| ECKA Granules | Alextra | 20 – 63 μm |
| AMC Powders | AL-4015 | 15 – 20 μm |
Hoeganaes ANCOR AM-705 powder specifically developed for metal injection molding offers very good flow and high green strength.
Sandvik Osprey A205 is optimized for additive manufacturing with high powder flow and packing density.
Pricing
Typical pricing for Aluminium AlCu4Ti powder based on quantity:
AlCu4Ti Powder Price Estimates
| Quantity | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 1 – 9 kg | $85 – $100 per kg |
| 10 – 99 kg | $75 – $95 per kg |
| 100 – 499 kg | $65 – $85 per kg |
| 500+ kg | $55 – $75 per kg |
Prices vary between different suppliers based on factors like order volume, geographical location, customization options, and value-added services like analytics.
Comparison With Alternatives
How does AlCu4Ti compare against other aluminum PIM/MIM alloys?
AlCu4Ti Powder Comparison With Alternatives
| Alloy | Strength | Ductility | Corrosion Res. | Processability | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlCu4Ti | Very High | Moderate | Good | Excellent flow, fast sintering | Moderate |
| Al 6061 | Medium | High | Excellent | Average flow | Low |
| AlSi10Mg | Medium | Medium | Good | High fluidity | Low |
| Al 7075 | Very High | Low | Good with coating | Poor flow | High |
Key advantages of AlCu4Ti:
- Highest as-sintered strength enabling lightweight structures
- Combination of strength, ductility and processability
- Lower cost than high-performing 7075 grade
Effect of Composition Variations
The properties of AlCu4Ti can be tuned by adjusting the copper and titanium percentages within specification limits.
Effect of Cu and Ti Content
| 2% Ti | 4% Ti | 5% Ti | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3% Cu | Medium strength <br>Good ductility | High strength <br>Moderate ductility | Highest strength <br>Lower ductility |
| 4% Cu | High strength <br> Moderate ductility | Very high strength <br>Lower ductility | Highest strength <br>Poor ductility |
| 5% Cu | Very high strength <br>Lower ductility | Excellent strength <br>Low ductility | Highest strength <br>Brittle |
Increasing copper improves strength through precipitation hardening, while more titanium affines the microstructure. But higher levels of either can reduce ductility and fracture toughness. The optimal balance depends on application requirements – strength or machinability.
Effect of Impurities
Impurities can adversely impact properties even at very low concentrations in ppm levels. Their impact at percentage levels is outlined below:
Impacts of Impurity Elements
| Impurity | Issues | Allowable Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Negative effect on lubricity | < 0.10% |
| Bismuth | Lowers thermal conductivity | < 0.05% |
| Sodium | Causes porosity in castings | < 0.005% |
| Calcium | Surface defects in extruded products | < 0.002% |
High purity aluminum minimizes these defects related to impurities. Pre-alloyed powder made from clean ingots ensures reliable performance.
Microstructure
The images show light micrographs of AlCu4Ti in different conditions.
AlCu4Ti Powder Micrographs
Key features:
- Near-perfect spherical morphology from gas atomization
- Dense structure with fine, uniform grain size in sintered condition
- Excellent distribution of nano-scale precipitates after heat treatment
These microstructural characteristics contribute to balanced properties and reliable performance.
Post-Processing Heat Treatments
A range of heat treatments can be applied to tailor AlCu4Ti properties as per application needs:
AlCu4Ti Heat Treatment Options
| Treatment | Temperature | Process | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solutionizing | 530°C 2 hrs | Dissolves soluble phases | Restores ductility |
| Aging | 180°C 5 hrs | Precipitation of phases | Significantly increases strength |
| Overaging | 200°C 10 hrs | Coarsening of precipitates | Lower strength, more ductility |
| Stress Relieving | 350°C 2 hrs | Reduce residual stresses | Improve dimensional stability |
A typical T6 temper involves solution treatment followed by artificial aging to achieve peak strength. Overaging reduces strength in favor of elongation. Stress relieving enhances machinability and grinding performance.
Benefits of heat treatments:
- Tensile strength increased from 430 MPa to over 500 MPa
- 30% increase in yield strength
- Fine machining and improved dimensional precision
- Reduced tool wear during machining
Custom heat treatment specification can be defined based on component requirements.
Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP)
HIPing is beneficial for reducing porosity, improving fatigue resistance and surface finish.
Typical HIP parameters:
HIP Conditions for AlCu4Ti
- Temperature: 520°C
- Pressure: 100 MPa
- Time: 3 hours
- Cooling rate: 10°C/minute
HIP significantly enhances ultimate tensile and yield strength through closure of internal pores in MIM components:
Strength Improvement After HIP
| Property | As-Sintered | After HIP |
|---|---|---|
| UTS (MPa) | 430 | 560 |
| YS (MPa) | 380 | 510 |
| Density (%) | 97 | 99.8 |
In addition, HIPing reduces surface roughness improving finish quality, lowers variation part-to-part, and improves dimensional precision.
Cost savings with HIP:
- Reduced machining allowance due to better finish
- Lower rejection rates
- Less variation so consistent machining parameters
This results in significantly lower overall manufacturing cost.
Design Guidelines and Considerations
Recommended design practices for AlCu4Ti parts:
AlCu4Ti Component Design Guidelines
- Use minimum section thicknesses higher than 0.4 – 0.6 mm
- Optimize part geometry to avoid trapped powder areas
- Include appreciated radii and angles
- Use draft angles ≥ 2° to ease part ejection
- Highly filleted intersections ease material flow
- Consider isotropic properties in design analysis
Overall, exceptional design freedom is enabled using additive MIM process with AlCu4Ti.
Quality Control and Inspection Standards
Stringent quality control is implemented:
AlCu4Ti Powder Quality Control
- Sampling as per ASTM B215
- Particle size distribution by sieve (ASTM B214) and laser diffraction analysis
- Morphology & microstructure from SEM imaging (ASTM E45)
- Chemical analysis by OES (ASTM E34)
- Tap density & flow rate measured as per MPIF standards
- Statistical process control monitoring
For molded parts and mechanical testing, standard test methods are:
Inspection Standards for Finished Parts
- Dimensional tolerance as per ASME Y14.5
- Mechanical testing by ASTM E8M
- Tensile strength testing according to ISO 6892
- Metallography by ASTM E3
- Hardness measured by Rockwell (ASTM E18) and Vickers (ASTM E384)
- Highly accelerated stress test (HAST) for reliability
Data is recorded for various parameters during critical production steps and analyses to ensure traceability and standards compliance.
Safety Data Sheet
Key safety information as per regulation standards^(1)^:
AlCu4Ti Powder Safety Precautions
- Use protective equipment during handling
- Avoid contact with skin through gloves
- Do not ingest powder
- Ensure adequate ventilation and respiratory protection
- Wash thoroughly after working with powder
- Use explosion-proof electrical equipment
First-aid measures in case of contact:
First Aid Measures
- Rinse skin with water and seek medical help if irritation persists
- Use saline to clean eyes thoroughly
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air and drink water
- Ingestion: Get immediate medical assistance
FAQ
What is Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder? Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder is a type of metal powder used in additive manufacturing processes like 3D printing. It is composed of aluminum alloyed with copper (Cu) and titanium (Ti), which impart specific properties to the material. What are the key properties of Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder? Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder is known for its lightweight nature, high strength-to-weight ratio, and good corrosion resistance. The addition of copper and titanium enhances its mechanical properties. What is the application of Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder? This powder is used in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and electronics, to produce parts and components that require a combination of lightness and strength. Common applications include aircraft components, lightweight structural parts, and heat sinks. How is Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder processed in 3D printing? Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder is typically used in powder bed fusion processes like selective laser melting (SLM) or electron beam melting (EBM). These processes involve melting and fusing the powder particles layer by layer to create 3D objects. What are the advantages of using Aluminium AlCu4Ti Powder in 3D printing? Advantages include its lightweight nature, good thermal conductivity, and the ability to produce complex shapes. It is ideal for applications where both strength and weight reduction are critical. know more 3D printing processesGet Latest Price
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