What Are Titanium Alloys?

For purposes of this chapter titanium alloys are those alloys of about 50% or higher titanium that offer exceptional strength-to-density benefits plus corrosion properties comparable to the excellent corrosion resistance of pure titanium. The range of operation is from cryogenic temperatures to around 538–595 C (1000–1100 F). Titanium alloys based on  intermetallics such as gamma titanium aluminide (TiAl intermetallic compound which has been designated  ) are included in this discussion. These alloys are meant to compete with superalloys at the lower end of superalloy temperature capability, perhaps up to 700 C ( 1300 F). They

may offer some mechanical advantages for now but often represent an economic debit.Limited experience is available with the titanium aluminides.

Temperature Capability of Titanium Alloys

Although the melting point of titanium is in excess of 1660 C (3000 F), commercial alloys operate at substantially lower temperatures. It is not possible to create titanium alloys that operate close to their melting temperatures. Attainable strengths, crystallographic phase transformations, and environmental interaction considerations cause restrictions. Thus, while titanium and its alloys have melting points higher than those of steels, their maximum upper useful temperatures for structural applications generally range from as low as 427 C (800 F) to the region of about 538–595 C (1000–1100 F) dependent on composition. As noted,

titanium aluminide alloys show promise for applications at higher temperatures, perhaps up to 700 C ( 1300 F), although at one time they were expected to offer benefits to higher temperatures.

Actual application temperatures will vary with individual alloy composition. Since application temperatures are much below the melting points, incipient melting is not a factor in titanium alloy application.

Mechanical Engineers’ Handbook: Materials and Mechanical Design, Volume 1, Third Edition.

Edited by Myer Kutz

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