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The Future of Thermally Processing Titanium In A Vacuum Furnace
Robert Hill Jr. Solar Atmospheres of Western PA USA
Abstract: Discussion will begin with the importance of the vacuum furnace while developing titanium on a production basis in the 1950’s. The current state of vacuum technology will ensue. Numerous real life examples of commercially vacuum processed parts will be presented. The talk will concluded with a discussion on the dire need of revision and updated old antiquated titanium specifications. 1.0 Introduction:
The Latin word “vacuum” meaning “emptiness” is void of air whereas that gas density may vary over 19 orders of magnitude. Many precautions must be heeded whenever one thermally processes titanium. These dangers primarily exist due to the fact that titanium is not found in its natural state. Therefore, element #22 is very reactive with many other elements in particular oxygen and hydrogen. These specific elements are very detrimental to the ultimate desired properties, especially within aerospace applications. The importance of minimizing and eliminating alpha case and hydrogen embrittlement is a direct result of the vacuum furnace.
2.0 Current State of Vacuum Processing:
The vacuum furnace has evolved over many years. Today we are experiencing deeper vacuum levels, tighter pyrometry controls, and purer and drier inert processing gases. Solar’s new patented dual car bottom loading vehicle (US Patent 6,936,792 B2 on August 30, 2005) has enabled Solar to process some of the most difficult and challenging projects. This innovative loading mechanism also enables Solar to process as much as 150,000 pounds at one time!
3.0 Titanium Vacuum Processing:
Numerous real life examples of typical vacuum thermally processed parts will be presented. The markets represented are from the aerospace, medical, power generation, and commercial arenas. The thermal processes of these various markets include vacuum degassing, vacuum annealing, vacuum stress relieving, vacuum homogenization, vacuum solution treating and aging, and vacuum creep forming.
4.0 The Future of Titanium Vacuum Processing:
Newer alloys are being developed to promote the need for nearer net shapes of titanium components. Their corresponding titanium specifications, along with more
mature specifications, must be revised to include better directives especially on the quench methods. These improvements will enhance the repeatability and overall quality of thermally processed titanium components.
5.0 Conclusion:
Titanium is a very difficult member of the metallurgical family. Being a very reactive element, the vacuum furnace was the answer to many inherent problems of this metal in the past. In the future, it is this author’s opinion, that vacuum processing will be as important as newer titanium alloys are designed and their specifications are revised.
Contact: Robert Hill Jr. 30 Industrial Road Hermitage. PA 16148 (w) 1-888-982-0660 (c) 1-724-734-9303 Email: rah@solaratm.com Webpage: www.solaratm.com
The Future of Thermally The Future of Thermally
Processing Titanium In A Processing Titanium In A
Vacuum FurnaceVacuum Furnace
Robert Hill Jr. Robert Hill Jr.
PresidentPresident
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA USASolar Atmospheres of Western PA USA
International Titanium Association Annual ConferenceInternational Titanium Association Annual Conference
Heat Treating / Testing PanelHeat Treating / Testing Panel
September 15September 15thth, 2009, 2009
Vacuum, Vacuum, -- What is it?What is it?
Vacuum is simply the opposite of Vacuum is simply the opposite of pressure. pressure.
Vacuum is a region in space in which the Vacuum is a region in space in which the pressure is less than atmospheric pressure is less than atmospheric pressure. pressure.
Vacuum pressures range over 19 orders Vacuum pressures range over 19 orders of magnitude.of magnitude.
We Use Vacuum To Avoid AirWe Use Vacuum To Avoid Air
We Use Vacuum To Avoid Air To We Use Vacuum To Avoid Air To
PreventPrevent……
Alpha CaseAlpha Case
We Use Vacuum To Reduce We Use Vacuum To Reduce
Hydrogen Levels To Prevent Hydrogen Levels To Prevent ……
Hydrogen Hydrogen EmbrittlementEmbrittlement
The Answer? The Answer? The Vacuum FurnaceThe Vacuum Furnace
1954
Vacuum Levels 1x10 Torr or LowerVacuum Levels 1x10 Torr or Lower-5
TodayToday’’s Vacuum Furnace Attainss Vacuum Furnace Attains
High Temperature CapabilitiesHigh Temperature Capabilities
TodayToday’’s Vacuum Furnace Possess s Vacuum Furnace Possess
TodayToday’’s Vacuum Furnace Possess s Vacuum Furnace Possess
Uniform Uniform PyrometryPyrometry ControlsControls
TodayToday’’s Processing Gases Must s Processing Gases Must
Be Dry & PureBe Dry & Pure
3/19/2009 Dew Point Chart 2009
-120
-110
-100
-90
-80
-70
-60
-50
-40
Dewpoint in °F Nitrogen Dewpoint in °F Argon
Dewpoint in °F Helium Dewpoint in °F Hydrogen
SolarSolar’’s Patented Dual Car Bottom s Patented Dual Car Bottom
Load Car DesignLoad Car Design
Increased Production, The ability to load extreme weight – 150,000 Lbs
Dual Car Bottom Load CarsDual Car Bottom Load Cars
Provides a Provides a
flat stable flat stable
work hearth to work hearth to
within 0.015within 0.015””
over 36over 36’’ lengthlength
Vacuum AnnealingVacuum Annealing
VacuumVacuum
DegassingDegassing
VacuumVacuum
Stress Stress
ReliefRelief
Vacuum HomogenizingVacuum Homogenizing
Titanium / Stainless (Nickel) Titanium / Stainless (Nickel)
Eutectic = 1769Eutectic = 1769°°FF
Vacuum Creep FormingVacuum Creep Forming
The Future of Vacuum Processing The Future of Vacuum Processing
TitaniumTitaniumThermal Processing which enhances near Thermal Processing which enhances near
net shapesnet shapes
BAC 5613 Approved SourcesBAC 5613 Approved Sources
The Future of Vacuum Processing The Future of Vacuum Processing
TitaniumTitaniumRevising Antiquated Specification, AMS Revising Antiquated Specification, AMS
2801 (Aerospace Specification for 2801 (Aerospace Specification for
Titanium PartsTitanium Parts
The Future of Vacuum Processing The Future of Vacuum Processing
TitaniumTitanium
Inert High Pressure Gas Quenching
The Future of VacuumThe Future of Vacuum
Processing TitaniumProcessing Titanium
Inert High Pressure Gas Quenching
The Future of Vacuum The Future of Vacuum
Processing TitaniumProcessing Titanium
The Future of Vacuum The Future of Vacuum
Processing TitaniumProcessing Titanium
Titanium Metallurgists must interact with Titanium Metallurgists must interact with
SAE / AMEC committees to revise and SAE / AMEC committees to revise and
update AMS heat treat specificationsupdate AMS heat treat specifications
Thank YouThank You
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