R. Boyer, The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA; T. Bayha, ATI Allvac, Monroe, NC; E. M. Crist, RTI International Metals, Inc., Niles, OH; J. Fanning, TIMET-R&D, Henderson, NV; D. Tripp, TIMET, Morgantown, PA; K. O. Yu, RMI Titanium Company, Niles, OH
Production of Ti-6Al-4V and other titanium alloys by single by Electron-Beam Single-Melting (EBSM) or Plasma Arc Melting (PAM) offers the opportunity of cost savings in aerospace and other applications. The cost savings of single hearth melting are related to ingot shape, increased scrap utilization and/or economies of scale. Since the single hearth melting production method is substantially different from the traditional vacuum arc re-melting (VAR) production method, extensive testing and evaluation has been performed on the single melt product to ensure that the properties and quality are equivalent to those of the traditional product. These evaluations have included static mechanical properties, chemical homogeneity, fracture toughness, fatigue crack growth resistance, high cycle fatigue and ballistic properties. Additionally, production experience has demonstrated that single hearth melted titanium alloys can be welded, machined, and fabricated into structural components using similar techniques as those that currently exist for traditional VAR product.