Powder metallurgy of titanium alloys

Abstract

The powder metallurgy of titanium alloys is reviewed for both the blended elemental (BE) and prealloyed (PA) approaches. The BE technique allows low cost processing with mechanical behaviour at ingot metallurgy levels except for fatigue performance; and this latter property can be raised significantly by use of low chloride sponge. The PA method leads to mechanical behaviour in all respects at least at ingot metallurgy levels, and could soon be accepted as a cost effective manufacturing technique in the demanding aerospace industry. Future developments in the titanium powder metallurgy arena are proposed for both major approaches.