Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of heat treating Ti-based alloys and various improvements that can be realized using such heat treatments. In one exemplary implementation, the invention provides a method of forming a metal member that involves forming an alloy into a utile shape and cooling the alloy from a first temperature above a beta transus temperature of the alloy to a second temperature below the beta transus temperature at a cooling rate of no more than about 30° F./minute. If so desired, the alloy my be treated for a period of about 1-12 hours at about 700-1100° F. Titanium alloys treated according to aspects of the invention may have higher tensile strengths and higher fracture toughness than conventional wrought, mill-annealed Ti 64 alloy.

Abstract: Nickel-titanium alloys that have been deep drawn in a cold working process have linear pseudoelastic behavior without a phase transformation or onset of stress-induced martensite. A medical device made from a structural element which has been deep drawn and subsequently formed into a desired medical device geometry will experience such linear pseudoelastic behavior.

Abstract: The invention provides a titanium alloy having a narrow distribution of material properties in the thickness direction, allowing easy to finish the surface of the forged material after forging, during working the product to the final shape. The forged titanium alloy has a low sensitivity for cracking, excellent workability, and favorable ductility and fatigue properties, and provides a method for forging the titanium alloy. In order to attain the forged titanium alloy and the method for forging thereof, forging the titanium alloy, which has T&bgr; ° C. of the &bgr;-transus, is conducted, while keeping the relation of 400° C.≦Td and (T&bgr;−400)° C.≦Tm≦T&bgr; at a strain rate of a range from 2×10−4 s−1 to 1 s−1, further limiting the chemical composition of the titanium alloy, keeping the relation of [(Tm−Td)≦250° C.] during forging, where T&bgr; (° C.) is the &bgr;-transus of the titanium alloy, Tm(° C.

Abstract: To provide a titanium alloy which is a high-strength low-alloy with a 750 MPa or more in terms of tensile strength. A production method is capable of producing the titanium alloy by using a low-priced, low-grade sponge titanium as a raw material. This high-strength low-alloy titanium alloy has an alloy composition containing O of from 0.2 to 0.8%, C of from 0.01 to 0.15%, N of from 0.01 to 0.07%, Fe of from 0.3 to 1.0% and the balance being substantially Ti. At the time of production, a low-grade sponge Ti containing N of 0.01% or more and Fe of 0.2% or more is used in at least a portion of raw materials to allow it to be a source of the aforementioned Ni and Fe components.

Abstract: A method of forming an article from an &agr;−&bgr; titanium including, in weight percentages, from about 2.9 to about 5.0 aluminum, from about 2.0 to about 3.0 vanadium, from about 0.4 to about 2.0 iron, from about 0.2 to about 0.3 oxygen, from about 0.005 to about 0.3 carbon, from about 0.001 to about 0.02 nitrogen, and less than about 0.5 of other elements. The method comprises cold working the &agr;−&bgr; titanium alloy.

Abstract: A shaped part or article of manufacture is formed of a selected gamma titanium aluminide alloy with outstanding mechanical properties which can be produced particularly economically. First, a semi-finished article is formed in a hot forming process with a degree of deformation of greater than 65%. Then the semi-finished article is shaped with the alloy being in a solid-liquid phase by applying mechanical forming forces during at least part of the shaping process.

Abstract: The diamter of &bgr;-titanium alloy wire is reduced by cold wire-drawing and the &bgr;-titanium alloy wire is subjected to heat treatment. The heat treatment comprises the first aging process for precipitation strengthening and the second aging process for removing processing strain. &bgr;-titanium alloy wire is heat-treated under the supply of tension at the second aging process.

Abstract: A pure titanium building material having high secular discoloration resistance is formed of pure titanium having an Fe content of 0.08% by mass or below, a Nb content of 0.02% by mass or below, and a Co content of 0.02% by mass or below.

Abstract: A multiple stage method for plastic working of a blank, comprises applying a torsional loading to the blank at a first stage in multiple steps at loading conditions selected to effect microstructure transformation; and applying a tensile or compression loading at a second stage subsequent to the torsional loading stage. An article, comprises a hollow blank with a hollow core emplaced within the blank and expanded by pressurized fluid contained within the core interior and a sheath encompassing the blank in a blank to sheath contact along a blank lateral surface that prevents the sheath and blank from displacement relative to each other.

Abstract: A process for forming a metallic article having a black ornamental surface includes the steps of metallurgically providing an alloy containing between about 51 and 70 about percent by weight of titanium, between about 3 and about 17 percent by weight of niobium, and the balance of a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, tantalum, molybdenum, hafnium zirconium, chromium, and mixtures thereof. The alloy is then casted and/or metal worked into a workpiece having a desired geometry and surface texture. The workpiece thereof is then baked in a kiln or oven in a substantially air atmosphere of between about 450 and about 850 degrees C. for a period of between about one and about 29 minutes. Resultant of such baking, there is produced a durable black surface layer consisting substantially of an oxide of niobium which is adhered to the substrate of the workpiece which remains unoxidized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for angularly extruding a workpiece through a die to form blanks and articles having refined grain structure. The die is also used to form the workpiece to a desired shape, such as a cylinder. The angular extrusion method can be used in place of some heat treatments, thereby lowering the cost and time for manufacturing articles. The method is compatible with materials with high strength-to-weight ratios such as aluminum, titanium, and alloys thereof. The blanks can be used to form articles having favorable mechanical properties such as strength, toughness, formability, and resistance to fatigue, corrosion, and thermal stresses.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of reducing grain sizes of materials, and methods of forming sputtering targets. The invention includes a method for producing a sputtering target material in which a metallic material is subjected to plastic working at a processing percentage of at least 5% and a processing rate of at least 100%/second. In particular applications the metallic material comprises one or more of aluminum, copper and titanium.

Abstract: A shaped part or article of manufacture is formed of a selected gamma titanium aluminide alloy with outstanding mechanical properties which can be produced particularly economically. First, a semi-finished article is formed in a hot forming process with a degree of deformation of greater than 65%. Then the semi-finished article is shaped with the alloy being in a solid-liquid phase by applying mechanical forming forces during at least part of the shaping process.

Abstract: Titaniums having excellent impact resistance are manufactured by methods that attain good cold workability by controlling the concentrations of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and iron contained in ordinary pure titaniums in the desired range, applying combinations of preliminary working and annealing before or during the forming process, and controlling the Vickers hardness in the cross-sectional area to the desired range according to the concentrations, without adding aluminum, molybdenum, vanadium or other alloying elements.

Abstract: A TiAl based alloy having excellent strength as well as an improvement in toughness at room temperature, in particular an improvement in impact properties at room temperature, and a production method thereof, and a blade using the same are provided. This TiAl based alloy has a microstructure in which lamellar grains having a mean grain diameter of from 1 to 50 &mgr;m are closely arranged. The alloy composition is Ti-(42-48)Al-(5-10) (Cr and/or V) or Ti-(38-43)Al-(4-10)Mn. The alloy can be obtained by subjecting the alloy to high-speed plastic working in the cooling process, after the alloy has been held in an equilibrium temperature range of the &agr; phase or the (&agr;+&bgr;) phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to an &agr;+&bgr; type titanium alloy bar consisting essentially of 4 to 5% Al, 2.5 to 3.5% V, 1.5 to 2.5% Fe, 1.5 to 2.5% Mo, by mass, and balance of Ti, and having 10 to 90% of volume fraction of primary &agr; phase, 10 &mgr;m or less of average grain size of the primary &agr; phase, and 4 or less of aspect ratio of the grain of the primary &agr; phase on the cross sectional plane parallel in the rolling direction of the bar. The &agr;+&bgr; type titanium alloy bar has excellent ductility, fatigue characteristics and formability.

Abstract: A titanium article for an ultrasonic inspection is provided in which the titanium article can be ultrasonic inspected for determining its acceptability in for microstructurally sensitive applications. The ultrasonic inspection method comprises providing a titanium article, directing ultrasonic energy of ultrasonic inspection to the titanium article; scattering reflected energy in the titanium article; determining an amount of noise generated by the ultrasonic inspection of the titanium article; and characterizing the titanium article as acceptable if the amount of noise as a function of ultrasonic frequency or wavelength is characteristic of predominantly Rayleigh scattering and the magnitude of the noise is less than a pre-determined noise level. The titanium article comprises an uniform-fine grain microstructure. The uniform-fine grain microstructure generates predominantly Rayleigh scattering when undergoing ultrasonic inspection. The invention also sets forth a method of forming a titanium article.

Abstract: A titanium material for a target has a microstructure in which the grain size is small and uniform and also has a macrostructure of the surface of the titanium material which is non-patterned and is excellent in surface property. A titanium ingot in which Vacuum Arc Remelting or Electron Beam Melting is performed is roughly forged at a temperature from 700° C. up to the &bgr; transformation temperature, and is then forged for finishing at room temperature to 350° C., and is finally annealed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing titanium alloys in large-section semi-finished product form with controlled microstructure in micrograin and subcrystalline states of aggregation, with reduced metallographic texture, is achieved with the desired combination of mechanical properties in the titanium alloy product.

Abstract: The purpose is to provide a cathode electrode for manufacturing an electrodeposited copper foil which is possible to be continuously and stably usable for a long duration of 3000 hours or longer to subsequently lessen the frequency of maintenance work execution as low as possible and to contribute to lower the running cost of the electrodeposited copper foil manufacture. As the means for achieving the purpose, a cathode electrode made of a titanium material is employed for obtaining an electrodeposited copper foil using an electrolytic copper solution and the titanium material having 7.0 or higher crystal grain size number and 35 ppm or lower initial hydrogen content is used for manufacturing the cathode electrode for manufacturing an electrodeposited copper foil. Further, also provided is a manufacturing method of the titanium material to be employed for the cathode electrode made of a titanium material.

Abstract: Described is the production of a metal article with fine metallurgical structure and texture by a process that includes forging and rolling and control of the forging and rolling conditions. Also described is a metal article with a minimum of statically crystallized grain size difference in grain size at any location of less than about ±3%, as well as a dispersion in orientation content ratio of textures of less than about ±4% at any location.

Abstract: A high strength and ductility &agr;+&bgr; type titanium alloy, comprising at least one is isomorphous &bgr; stabilizing element in a Mo equivalence of 2.0-4.5 mass %, at least one eutectic &bgr; stabilizing element in an Fe equivalence of 0.3-2.0 mass %, Si in an amount of 0.1-1.5 mass %, and C in an amount of 0.01-0.15% mass, and has a &bgr; transformation temperature no lower than 940° C.

Abstract: Titaniums having excellent impact resistance are manufactured by methods that attain good cold workability by controlling the concentrations of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and iron contained in ordinary pure titaniums in the desired range, applying combinations of preliminary working and annealing before or during the forming process, and controlling the Vickers hardness in the cross-sectional area to the desired range according to the concentrations, without adding aluminum, molybdenum, vanadium or other alloying elements.

Abstract: An article is formed of an alpha-beta titanium-base alloy, preferably an alloy having more than about 3.5 weight percent molybdenum. An example of such an article is a gas turbine compressor blade having a nominal composition, in weight percent, of about 4 percent aluminum, about 4 percent molybdenum, about 2 percent tin, about 0.5 percent silicon, balance titanium and impurities. The article is processed to form a martensitic structure therein. The processing, which typically involves forging or weld repairing, includes the steps of first heating the article to a first-heating temperature of greater than about 1600° F., and thereafter first cooling the article to a temperature of less than about 800° F. The article is thereafter second heated to a second-heating temperature of from about 1275° F. to about 1375° F. for a time of from about 1 to about 7 hours, and thereafter second cooled to a temperature of less than about 800° F.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of reducing grain sizes of materials, and methods of forming sputtering targets. The invention includes a method for producing a sputtering target material in which a metallic material is subjected to plastic working at a processing percentage of at least 5% and a processing rate of at least 100%/second. In particular applications the metallic material comprises one or more of aluminum, copper and titanium.

Abstract: In a method for the treatment of metallic materials especially for the consolidation of the texture of the materials, a blank of the metallic material is heated to a transformation temperature and the blank is then subjected to twisting preferably while, at the same time, being compressed. In this way, the texture can be refined to a large degree in a simple and inexpensive manner.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of reducing grain sizes of materials, and methods of forming sputtering targets. The invention includes a method for producing a sputtering target material in which a metallic material is subjected to plastic working at a processing percentage of at least 5% and a processing rate of at least 100%/second. In particular applications the metallic material comprises one or more of aluminum, copper and titanium.

Abstract: We disclose ultrafine-grained titanium. A coarse-grained titanium billet is subjected to multiple extrusions through a preheated equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) die, with billet rotation between subsequent extrusions. The resulting billet is cold processed by cold rolling and/or cold extrusion, with optional annealing. The resulting ultrafine-grained titanium has greatly improved mechanical properties and is used to make medical implants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rolling bearing having an excellent corrosion resistance and toughness which can fairly operate at a high rotary speed. At least the inner race is formed by a titanium alloy, and the rolling elements are formed by ceramics. Alternatively, at least one of the inner race and the outer race is formed by a &bgr; type titanium alloy. The percent cold working of the &bgr; type titanium alloy is predetermined to not less than 20% or a range of from 5 to 20%. The cold working is followed by shot peening. Further, the surface hardness Hv is predetermined to not less than 600. The volumetric ratio of residual &bgr; phase in the &bgr; type titanium alloy is predetermined to a range of from 30 to 80%.

Abstract: A method is set forth for processing titanium and titanium alloys into titanium articles, in which the titanium exhibits enhanced ultrasonic inspection results for determining its acceptability in microstructurally sensitive titanium applications. The method for processing titanium comprises providing titanium at a temperature above its &bgr;-transus temperature; quenching the titanium from a temperature above the &bgr;-transus temperature, the step of quenching titanium forming an &agr;-plate microstructure in the titanium; and deforming the quenched titanium into a titanium article, the step of deforming the quenched titanium transforming the &agr;-plate microstructure into discontinuous &agr; particles without crystallization textures. The discontinuous-randomly textured &agr; particles lead to a reduction in ultrasonic noise during ultrasonic inspection.

Abstract: A titanium article for an ultrasonic inspection is provided in which the titanium article can be ultrasonic inspected for determining its acceptability in for microstructurally sensitive applications. The ultrasonic inspection method comprises providing a titanium article, directing ultrasonic energy of ultrasonic inspection to the titanium article; scattering reflected energy in the titanium article; determining an amount of noise generated by the ultrasonic inspection of the titanium article; and characterizing the titanium article as acceptable if the amount of noise as a function of ultrasonic frequency or wavelength is characteristic of predominantly Rayleigh scattering and the magnitude of the noise is less than a pre-determined noise level. The titanium article comprises an uniform-fine grain microstructure. The uniform-fine grain microstructure generates predominantly Rayleigh scattering when undergoing ultrasonic inspection. The invention also sets forth a method of forming a titanium article.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an acoustic vibration plate includes molding titanium metal into a shape of an acoustic vibration plate in order to obtain a titanium vibration plate, and performing a heat treatment on the titanium vibration plate by a ceramic-formation step, thereby to change entirely the titanium vibration plate into titanium oxide.

Abstract: A method of carburizing treatment is proposed in which if carburizing is carried out at a low temperature, carbon will not turn amorphose and deposit on the surface of a titanium metal but reliably penetrate into between metallic atoms. It is a method of surface treatment of a titanium metal comprising the steps of heating the titanium metal to a temperature of 400-690° C. in a cleaning gas atmosphere containing hydrogen gas, subjecting the surface of the titanium metal to cleaning by applying a DC voltage of 200-1500 V, and plasma carburizing in an atmosphere comprising a carburizing gas having the molar ratio of hydrogen atoms (H) to carbon atoms (C) adjusted to (H/C)≦9 at a pressure of 13-400 Pa and a temperature of 400-690° C. Ionization reaction in the gas is suppressed suitably. Because there exists no excessive carbon which is not used for carburization but turns soot or glass-like carbon, in the atmosphere during carburization, carburizing reaction progresses smoothly.

Abstract: Described is a method for producing a diffusion bonded sputtering target assembly which is thermally treated to precipitation harden the backing plate without compromising the diffusion bond integrity. The method includes heat treating and quenching to alloy solution and artificially age the backing plate material after diffusion bonding to a target. Thermal treatment of the diffusion bonded sputtering target assembly includes quenching by partial-immersion in a quenchant and is performed after diffusion bonding and allows for various tempers in the backing plate.

Abstract: A metal fiber of titanium or titanium alloy has given equivalent area diameter and specific surface area and is produced by a bundle drawing method wherein mild steel is used as a material for covering layer and outer housing and a composite wire is subjected to a heat treatment at a given temperature.

Abstract: A metal fiber of titanium or titanium alloy has given equivalent area diameter and specific surface area and is produced by a bundle drawing method wherein mild steel is used as a material for covering layer and outer housing and a composite wire is subjected to a heat treatment at a given temperature.

Abstract: A monolithic refractory depositing system capable of improving working environment and working efficiency and of spraying a material in a uniform thickness is provided. The monolithic refractory depositing system is capable of carrying out both a spraying process and a casting process.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of reducing grain sizes of materials, and methods of forming sputtering targets. The invention includes a method for producing a sputtering target material in which a metallic material is subjected to plastic working at a processing percentage of at least 5% and a processing rate of at least 100%/second. In particular applications the metallic material comprises one or more of aluminum, copper and titanium.

Abstract: A method for making a titanium or titanium alloy strip or strips having homogeneous gloss between the strips and throughout the same strip comprises subjecting the strip or strips to a continuous annealing and pickling line or only in a pickling line, wherein the strip or strips are passed through a pickling vessel having an immersion roll plural times and are appropriately inverted at least once during the plural times.

Abstract: A metal fiber of titanium or titanium alloy has given equivalent area diameter and specific surface area and is produced by a bundle drawing method wherein mild steel is used as a material for covering layer and outer housing and a composite wire is subjected to a heat treatment at a given temperature.

Abstract: Described is the production of a metal article with fine metallurgical structure and texture by a process that includes forging and rolling and control of the forging and rolling conditions. Also described is a metal article with a minimum of statically crystallized grain size difference in grain size at any location of less than about ±3%, as well as a dispersion in orientation content ratio of textures of less than about ±4% at any location.

Abstract: A gamma titanium aluminide alloy article, is prepared using a piece of a gamma titanium aluminide alloy having a composition capable of forming alpha, alpha-2, and gamma phases. The alpha transus temperature of the gamma titanium aluminide alloy piece is determined. The gamma titanium aluminide alloy piece is consolidated by hot isostatic pressing at a temperature of from about 50 F. to about 250 F. below the alpha transus temperature and at a pressure of from about 10,000 to about 30,000 pounds per square inch, for a duration of from about 1 to about 20 hours. The piece is heat treated at a temperature of from about 5 F. to about 300 F. below the alpha transus temperature for a time sufficient to refine the microstructure and generate a microstructure comprising from about 10 to about 90 volume percent gamma phase. The step of heat treating is conducted at a temperature of from about 45 F. to about 200 F. above the temperature of the step of hot isostatic pressing.

Abstract: The invention provides a processing method for a high-pure titanium having fine grains by cold forging, through which the processing steps are simplified and scale growth is prevented. The invention uses high-pure titanium having a purity of 4N or higher (99.99%, except for gas inclusions), and forges the titanium raw material in the temperature range from room temperature to 300° C., then anneals the titanium raw material in the temperature range from 400 to 600° C.

Abstract: A method for producing titanium alloy turbine blades comprising the steps of (a) forming turbine blades of titanium alloy through hot forging or machining, (b) cooling leading edges on tip portions of the turbine blades including covers thereof formed through hot forging or machining faster than blade main body after final hot forging or solid solution treatment, and (c) heat treating the cooled turbine blades. With this method, it is possible to manufacture titanium turbine blades in an economical fashion and obtain titanium alloy turbine blades superior in reliability by preventing erosion.

Abstract: A method of straightening a wire rod of titanium or titanium alloy wherein the rod is hot-straightened to a straight rod at the straightening temperature T and elongation .epsilon. satisfying the expression (1) or (2). The method includes hot rolling a titanium billet of .beta. titanium alloy, (.alpha.+.beta.) titanium alloy or a near .alpha. titanium alloy into a wire rod, winding the hot rolled wire rod into a coil, cold drawing the wire rod, cutting the wire rod to obtain a bent wire rod, heating the bent wire rod to a straightening temperature T while both end portions of the bent wire rod are fixed, applying a predetermined elongation .epsilon. to the wire rod, maintaining a straightening temperature T, hot-straightening the wire in accordance with the expression (2).epsilon.(T-400).gtoreq.400 (1).epsilon.(T-500).gtoreq.200 (2)and cooling the wire rod while applying tension. The method is suitable for preparing a straight rod for use in an engine valve.

Abstract: Thick plate is difficult to form because it cracks when localized strain exceeds the limits of the material. Forming thick titanium would significantly reduce manufacturing costs for finished parts by reducing machining time and by allowing standard stock blanks to be used where twelve inch thick or thicker blanks are needed today. Using finite element analysis, we model the plate forming to determine processing constraints that allow forming the thick, coarse grained alpha-beta titanium plate according to SPF principles with controlled strain rates. We form the part at an elevated temperature with a press ram. We complete the part by machining the formed plate, thereby greatly reducing machining time and material cost. Typically we bend a 20 cm thick plate to about 130.degree. with a 5-6 inch inner radius bend, or we form 2 inch thick plate with a complex curvature exceeding twelve inch depth over an area of 30.times.60 inches.

Abstract: A process of preparing a titanium-tantalum alloy including forming a suite mixture of essentially pure titanium powder and essentially pure tantalum powder, melting the mixture of titanium powder and tantalum powder by plasma torch melting under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to form a titanium-tantalum solution, and casting the molten solution of titanium-tantalum to form a solid homogeneous titanium-tantalum product is disclosed.The process can further include hot-rolling the cast solid homogeneous titanium-tantalum product to form a sheet of the titanium-tantalum product.

Abstract: An elongated flexible housing for an atherectomy or other intracorporeal catheter which is formed of a shape memory alloy such as an alloy formed predominantly of NiTi intermetallic compound. The housing preferably has an inner chamber with a tissue cutter or other diagnostic or therapeutic system provided within the chamber to sever stenotic material which is urged into the chamber through a opening or window in the housing. In one embodiment the housing has at least one section which is relatively flexible with adjacent sections which are relatively stiff to provide an increase in the overall flexibility of the housing.

Abstract: A TiAl intermetallic compound-base alloy material having excellent strength properties at high temperatures and ductility, characterized by comprising: a fine alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) dispersed so as to give an O.sub.2 concentration of 1000 to 5000 ppm by weight and in a particle diameter of 200 to 500 nm; a boride (TiB.sub.2) dispersed to give a B concentration of 0.1 to 10 at % and in a particle diameter of not more than 500 nm; 1 to 3 at % of at least one of Cr, Mn, and V; and TiAl having a Ti content of 50 to 53 at % and an Al content of 47 to 50 at %, said TiAl intermetallic compound-base alloy material having been directly cast at a cooling rate of 10.sup.3 to 10.sup.5 .degree. C./sec and a process for producing the same. According to the present invention, exhaust valves for automobiles and materials for engine turbines for jet airplanes and the like having excellent tensile strength at high temperatures and ductility at high temperatures and room temperature are provided.

Abstract: Methods are presented to produce duplex (DP) microstructures, nearly lamellar (NL) microstructures, and fully TMT lamellar (TMTL) microstructures in gamma titanium aluminide alloy articles. The key step for obtaining a specific type of microstructure is the post-hot work annealing treatment at a temperature in a specific range for the desired microstructure. The annealing temperatures range from Te+100° C. to T&agr;−25° C. for duplex (DP) microstructures, from T&agr;−25° C. to T&agr;−5° C. for nearly lamellar (NL) microstructures, and from T&agr; to T&agr;+60° C. for fully TMT lamellar (TMTL) microstructures, where Te is the titanium-aluminum eutectoid temperature of the alloy and T&agr; is the alpha transus temperature of the alloy. The times required for producing specific microstructures range from 2 min to 15 hours depending on microstructural type, alloy composition, annealing temperature selected, material section size, and desired grain-size.