S. Borys, R. P. Anderson, A. Benish, L. Jacobsen, W. Ernst, D. Kogut, T. Lyssenko, International Titanium Powder LLC, Lockport, IL

Summary:

The Armstrong Process produces titanium and titanium alloy powder by injecting metal halide vapor (ITP uses chlorides such as TiCl4, AlCl3, VCl4) into a flowing stream of a reducing liquid metal (ITP uses sodium). The process produces small diameter, high purity metal powder. Parts made from the powder by casting and by various powder metallurgical techniques (vacuum hot pressing, press and sintering, etc.) have been tested for mechanical properties. With appropriate conditions used in the PM techniques, the tested properties exceed those for wrought materials. Commercial powder applications are being developed and tested. During the last year, with financial assistance from DARPA and the Army Research Laboratory, components and process operating conditions for a full size, commercial production system have been under test. Construction will begin on a 4 million pound per year production pilot plant in the last half of 2005 and the plant will come on line in 2006. The plant is capable of producing both CP and directly alloyed titanium powder. Samples of titanium and titanium alloy powder, test pieces and commercial parts made from the powder will be shown during the presentation.