Research

Lightweight Metals Processing

Commercialization of Titanium Heat Exchangers Fabricated from New Powders

Background

Titanium has long been recognized by industry as a superior material for many applications due to its excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, low density/high strength to weight ratio, good elevated temperature performance, and allowance for damage tolerant design. However, titanium has historically been viewed as a specialty material due to high cost and limited availability. Also, the current fabrication process for titanium sheet makes it cost prohibitive for many applications. Recently, low cost titanium and titanium alloy powders have become available that could enable a paradigm shift in the U.S. titanium market. The powders are powder metallurgy grade, and can be used in solid state processing.

Goal

The goal of this project is to fully consolidate these new Ti powders into near net shape sheets/plates for heat exchanger applications. The focus is to develop a roll compaction materials manufacturing process to enable Ti powder to be formed into sheet/plate.

Read more about a related project

Contact

Bill Peter
peterwh@ornl.gov
(865)241-8113