Properties and Processing of a New Beta-Rich Alpha Beta Alloy for High Strength Applications

Properties and Processing of a New Near-Beta Titanium Alloy for High Strength Applications
J. Fanning, Timet, Henderson, NV

The high specific strength of near-beta titanium alloys is very useful for structural airframe applications. Near-beta alloys have been extensively used in such applications for about the past 20 years, including TIMETAL 10-2-3 for the C-17, 777 and A380. On the 787, TIMETAL 555 was extensively utilized in lieu of TIMETAL 10-2-3 due to the deeper hardenability and improved mechanical property combinations.   More recently, TIMET has performed an investigation of new titanium alloys (with Mo, V, Cr, Fe and Al) to identify and characterize new allow compositions that offer advantages with regards to mechanical properties, cost or processing. The down-selected composition (weight percent) is nominally Ti-5.5Al-5Mo-5V-2.4Cr-0.7Fe and has been named TIMETAL 18.