Considerations in processing titanium

Several unique characteristics of titanium necessitate special consideration when designing melting and thermomechanical processes. These include rapid heat loss, high flow stresses, strain induced porosity, high oxidation rate and texturing. The rapid heat loss is favorable in producing large segregation-free ingots. During thermomechanical working, the rapid loss of heat combined with high flow stresses results in a very narrow time–temperature-processing window. Processes and alloys have been developed to minimize the impact of these characteristics and allow several products to be produced in a more efficient manner.