Developing Enhanced Strength and Texture in Ti 6AL-4V Tubes, Hollows and Shapes

There has been an enormous amount of research conducted on the extrusion of a two phase (alpha plus beta) zirconium alloy used in a critical application in the core of CANDU reactors.  These tubes are manufactured by forming the tubes using an extrusion press equipped with tapered dies and a mandrel such that the tube is forged t a ratio of about 13 to1 in a single reduction.  It was found that that this single reduction combined with recovery and recrystallization of the alpha phase created a very favorable texture and associated strength.  Such a texture is desirable in pressure retaining and torsional applications.

Dual phase titanium alloys have similar metallurgy to their zirconium counterparts.  6Al-4V and other two phase titanium alloys have a number of applications in aircraft such as torque tubes, actuator barrels, and wheel and brake sleeves, where knowledge of such a texture/ strength arrangement could be useful.

The author will present texture and tensile data on alpha beta and beta processed 6 AL-4V hollows and shapes produced by forming / forging the material in tapered dies using an extrusion press and compare these to propertied obtained from conventional forming practices.