C. A. Lavender, M. T. Smith, Y. Hovanski, Battelle Memorial Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA; K. S. Weil, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA
A recent cost study commissioned by the Department of Energy and prepared by Camanoe Associates concluded that the use of a low-cost titanium ore as the feedstock source in a continuous reduction process could drive down the cost of titanium sponge and powder substantially, to the point that it could be considered for application in standard automotive components. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is currently leading a program to develop this low-cost titanium processing stream. Working with E.I. DuPont de Nemours and International Titanium Powder (ITP), PNNL has employed low-cost, ilmenite-derived titanium tetrachloride (of the type used titanium dioxide paint pigment production) as the precursor in titanium powder synthesis. The resulting titanium powders, while containing additional impurities are being evaluated for powder metallurgy (P/M) processing. Progress on powder characterization and P/M processing will be reported.
Summary: A recent cost study commissioned by the Department of Energy and prepared by Camanoe Associates concluded that the use of a low-cost titanium ore as the feedstock source in a continuous reduction process could drive down the cost of titanium sponge and powder substantially, to the point that it could be considered for application in standard automotive components. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is currently leading a program to develop this low-cost titanium processing stream. Working with E.I. DuPont de Nemours and International Titanium Powder (ITP), PNNL has employed low-cost, ilmenite-derived titanium tetrachloride (of the type used titanium dioxide paint pigment production) as the precursor in titanium powder synthesis. The resulting titanium powders, while containing additional impurities are being evaluated for powder metallurgy (P/M) processing. Progress on powder characterization and P/M processing will be reported.
