TITANIUM ALLOYS

Titanium alloys are metals that contain a mixture of titanium and other chemical elements. These alloys have very high tensile strength and toughness even at extreme temperatures. They are lightweight, possess outstanding corrosion resistance, and are capable of withstanding extreme temperatures. However, the high cost of both the raw material and processing limits their uses to military applications, aircraft, spacecraft, bicycles, medical devices, jewelry, connecting rods in some sports cars, and some specialized sports equipment and electronics.

 

Although pure titanium has commercially acceptable mechanical properties and is used in orthopedic and dental implants, for most applications, titanium is alloyed with small amounts of aluminum and vanadium, typically 6% and 4% by weight, respectively. This mixture has a solid solubility that varies with temperature, which allows for age hardening. This heat treatment application, performed after the alloy has been formed into its final shape and before use, allows for the much easier production of a high-strength product. Titanium alloys have excellent formability and can be easily welded.

Many alloys contain a small proportion of titanium, but these are not typically considered "titanium alloys" as alloys are usually categorized by the element that constitutes the majority of the material. Commercial (99.2%) titanium alloys have an ultimate tensile strength of approximately 434 MPa, equal to that of low-alloy steels but less dense.
 

Titanium is 60% denser than aluminum but twice as strong as the most commonly used 6061 alloy.
 

Titanium is a strong and lightweight metal. It's stronger than low-carbon steels but 45% lighter. It's also twice as strong as weak aluminum alloys but only 60% heavier. Titanium has excellent corrosion resistance to seawater and is therefore used in propeller shafts, rigging, and other parts of boats exposed to seawater. Titanium alloys are used in aircraft, missiles, and rockets where strength, low weight, and resistance to high temperatures are important. Additionally, because titanium does not react in the human body, it's used for artificial joints, screws, and plates for fractures and other biological implants. The metal is widely used in orthopedic joint and bone plate operations.