Titanium Alloy Powder

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Titanium alloy powder is composed of titanium mixed with other metallic elements like aluminum, vanadium, iron, and molybdenum. The powders are made by gas atomization, a process that uses high-pressure gas to turn molten alloy into fine spherical particles ideal for additive manufacturing.

Titanium alloys offer the best strength-to-weight ratio of any metallic material. They are as strong as steel but 45% lighter. When produced as fine powders, titanium alloys become suitable feedstock for advanced manufacturing techniques like selective laser sintering (SLS), electron beam melting (EBM), and binder jetting. These methods allow intricate shapes and custom designs not possible with traditional fabrication.

Titanium and its alloys stand out for their corrosion resistance in harsh environments. They withstand saltwater, acids, and chlorine much better than aluminum, magnesium, or steel alloys. Titanium is also inert and non-toxic when implanted in the human body. This biocompatibility makes it invaluable for medical devices and implants.

With advanced properties like high strength, low density, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility, titanium alloy powders enable lighter, stronger, longer-lasting parts across aerospace, automotive, medical, chemical, marine, and consumer industries.

Titanium Alloy Powder Composition

Titanium alloy powders contain primarily titanium along with alloying elements to improve strength, hardness, and high-temperature performance. The most common titanium alloys are Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-6Al-4V ELI, and Ti-3Al-2.5V.

AlloyComposition
Ti-6Al-4V90% titanium, 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium
Ti-6Al-4V ELI90% titanium, 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium, low interstitial impurities
Ti-3Al-2.5V95% titanium, 3% aluminum, 2.5% vanadium

Other alloying elements like iron, molybdenum, zirconium, tin, tantalum, or niobium may be present in small quantities. The composition is carefully controlled to achieve target properties after additive manufacturing.

The unique properties of titanium alloys in powder form enable advanced manufacturing, aerospace, medical, and other leading-edge applications.

PropertyTi-6Al-4VTi-6Al-4V ELITi-3Al-2.5V
Density4.43 g/cm34.43 g/cm34.48 g/cm3
Melting Point1604°C1604°C1615°C
Tensile StrengthMin 1170 MPaMin 1100 MPaMin 1095 MPa
Yield StrengthMin 1035 MPaMin 1035 MPaMin 1000 MPa
Elongation10-15%8-15%8-10%
Elastic Modulus114 GPa114 GPa115 GPa
Fatigue Strength485 MPa485 MPa450 MPa
Fracture Toughness75 MPa-m^1/260 MPa-m^1/265 MPa-m^1/2
Thermal Conductivity7 W/m-K7 W/m-K6.7 W/m-K
Electrical Resistivity170-190 μΩ-cm170-190 μΩ-cm172 μΩ-cm
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion8.6 μm/m-°C8.6 μm/m-°C8.8 μm/m-°C

The properties of printed parts depend on the additive manufacturing process as well as heat treatment after printing. For example, electron beam melting (EBM) generates finer microstructures and better mechanical properties compared to selective laser melting (SLM). Post-processing like hot isostatic pressing (HIP) can further enhance density, surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and material performance.

Some of the major application areas for titanium alloy powder include:

IndustryApplications
AerospaceEngine components, airframe parts, fasteners, hydraulic systems
MedicalImplants, surgical instruments, dental roots, braces
AutomotiveConnecting rods, valves, springs, fasteners, gears
ChemicalPumps, valves, pipes, heat exchangers, reaction vessels
Oil and gasDrill bits, completion tools, subsea components
Power generationTurbine blades, heat exchangers, steam and gas piping
Sporting goodsGolf clubs, bicycle frames, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks
Consumer goodsWatches, glasses, jewelry, smartphones, cameras

Titanium alloys enable lightweight, high-performance designs across industries where strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility are critical. The flexibility of powder metallurgy allows production of complex, net-shape parts not possible with conventional titanium mill products.

Titanium alloy powders are available in different size ranges, compositions, production methods, and purity levels. Here are some of the key specification parameters:

ParameterTypical Values
Particle size10-45 μm, 15-53 μm, 45-150 μm
Particle shapeSpherical, irregular
Production methodGas atomization, plasma rotating electrode process, hydride-dehydride
PurityGrade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Alloy gradeTi-6Al-4V, Ti-6Al-7Nb, Ti-555, Ti-1023, etc.
Apparent density2.5-4.5 g/cm3
Tap densityUp to 80% of material density
Oxygen content3000-5000 ppm
Nitrogen content150-500 ppm
Hydrogen content100-200 ppm
Flow rateUp to 25 s/50 g
Specific surface area0.1-1.0 m2/g

Specifications are based on ASTM B988 for gas atomized spherical titanium alloy powder and other international standards. Custom compositions and particle characteristics are also available for specialized applications.

Pricing for titanium alloy powder depends on many factors:

FactorImpact on Price
Alloy compositionHigher alloying content increases cost
Purity levelHigher purity grades are more expensive
Particle size distributionSmaller sizes are priced higher
Production methodPlasma and HDH powders cost more than gas atomized
Order quantityPrices decrease with larger order quantities
PackagingArgon purged sealed cans add cost

Some indicative price ranges:

  • Ti-6Al-4V powder 15-45 μm: $50-80/lb
  • Ti-6Al-4V powder 45-150 μm: $30-50/lb
  • Small lots in sealed cans are ~30% higher
  • Plasma Ti-6Al-4V powder: $120-150/lb
  • Purity grade 1 powder: $200-300/lb

Contact reputable suppliers like AP&C, Tekna, and Advanced Powders for quoted pricing based on your specific requirements. Be wary of low-cost powders from unknown sources with questionable quality.

Comparison of Titanium Powder Production Methods

MethodGas AtomizationPlasma Atomization
DescriptionAlloy melted in vacuum chamber, impinged by high-velocity inert gas jets to make powderAlloy melted using plasma arc torch, steam of ultrafine droplets rapidly solidified into powder
Particle Size15-150 microns5-45 microns
Particle ShapeIrregular spheroidsVery spherical
Oxygen PickupModerateLow
CostLowerHigher
ScalabilityHigher capacitySmall batches
Typical ApplicationsMost additive manufacturingAerospace, medical

Gas atomization is the standard production method used by major titanium powder suppliers. Plasma atomization creates finer, more spherical powders but has higher cost and lower output.

Q: What are the main advantages of using titanium alloy powder?

A: The main advantages are excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, bio-compatibility, design flexibility, ability to produce complex net shape parts, and performance at high temperatures.

Q: What industries use titanium alloy powder the most?

A: Aerospace, medical, automotive, chemical processing, oil and gas, sporting goods, and power generation are leading users of titanium powder for advanced components.

Q: What are some examples of titanium alloy powder applications?

A: Specific applications include aircraft engine and airframe parts, biomedical implants and instruments, automotive valves and connecting rods, chemical processing equipment, golf clubs, watches, and bicycles.

Q: What alloy compositions are commonly used with titanium powder?

A: Popular alloys include Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-6Al-7Nb, Ti-555, Ti-1023, and commercially pure titanium grades 1 through 4. Exact composition is tailored to meet property and processing requirements.

Q: What manufacturing processes use titanium alloy powder as feedstock?

A: The main processes are metal injection molding (MIM), laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF), and directed energy deposition (DED).

Q: How are the properties of powder metallurgy titanium alloys compared to wrought and cast titanium?

A: With optimal processing, powder metallurgy titanium parts can achieve mechanical properties on par and sometimes superior to cast or wrought products. However, property anisotropy and defects require close control and qualification.

Q: What are some of the key specifications for titanium alloy powder?

A: Important characteristics include particle size distribution, particle shape, apparent density, tap density, flow rate, alloy composition, oxygen/nitrogen/hydrogen content, specific surface area, and powder production method.

Q: What precautions are required when handling titanium alloy powder?

A: An inert atmosphere, avoiding ignition sources, grounding equipment, minimizing dust generation, and wearing PPE are essential to handle reactive titanium powder safely. Strict procedures are needed to prevent contamination or changes to powder characteristics.

Wholesale Price: $20/Kg-$300/Kg

FAQ About 3D Printing Metal Powder

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We offer various high-quality metal powders including stainless steel, high-temperature alloys, suitable for processes like laser and electron beam powder bed fusion.

With extensive metal additive manufacturing expertise, we employ advanced processes and stringent quality control to ensure the mechanical properties and surface quality of parts.

Our devices have a wide range of applications in industries like aerospace, medical, automotive, and more, providing solutions for high-performance metal components in manufacturing.

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Our SEBM systems excel in producing complex metal parts with exceptional mechanical properties. Key features include industry-leading build volume, precision, and reliability.

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The turnaround time for custom services varies depending on project complexity. We will provide accurate delivery times based on your requirements.

We specialize in Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Selective Laser Melting (SLM), and Selective Electron Beam Melting (SEBM) among other 3D printing technologies.

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