Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Required pressure for cold reforming of titanium
Q. I am a hobbyist experimenting with Titanium for use in jewellery. I wish to produce small objects repeatedly using the material Titanium. I intend to press/stamp the material into dies. Can anyone tell me at what pressure Titanium reforms and whether this could be achieved in a moderate home workshop.
Thanks,
Robert Allan MetcalfeHobbyist - Buddina, Qld, Australia
2004
A. The following is from 'Machinery's Handbook' 23rd Edition. (Industrial Press, Inc. NY, NY)
Titanium ultimate yield strength is between 40,000 and 210,000 pounds per square inch, depending on the alloy and what heat treating has been done. They note that working Titanium is similar to working Stainless Steel.
At the low end the required press would be in the 2 to 5 ton range, reasonable for a benchtop press. The high end, depending on the size of the product, could exceed 25 tons. A 25 ton press would need a reinforced foundation to support it, and a soundproof building to satisfy the neighbors.
Good Luck!
Tom Gallant- Long Beach, California, USA
2004
Q. Tom,
Thank you very much for your help. I have another question you may be able to help me out with. When pressing/forging the titanium, could you use a slower advance speed, or would it have to be a very quick action. Also, would this factor influence the pressure required? any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Robert Metcalfe- Buddina, Qld, Australia
2004
A. The size and shape of the material plays a big role in it. I use thin Ti. sheet and wire (14g-30g)that are only like 2square inches in size and form mine using simple tools. A hammer, 2 ton arbor press, various dies made by me out of O1 steel. For thin/small pieces its very easy to form. Its when you get into the 1/8" and thicker pieces that it can be a pain. I use commercially pure and 6Al4V Ti. The CP comes in a softer state to form.
Jason Aube- Flint, Michigan
2004
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