Page 46 - PCMI Journal July 2018
P. 46
David Allen | Emeritus Professor | Cranfield University | UK Photochemical Machining of Aerospace Materials
5/31/18
Facts concerning Titanium
• The ninth-most abundant element in
the Earth's crust
• Hard, strong and light (ρ = 4.506
kg.dm-3)
• Silvery grey-white coloured metal
melting at 1668°C
• Thermal conductivity of 21.9 Wm-1K-1
• Although reactive, it is resistant to corrosion due to the presence of a thin surface film of titanium oxide
• A very wide range of alloys exist
Limitations of machining titanium
• The cost implication of titanium use means that any manufacturing technology utilised with the metal must minimise wastage.
• Its strength makes it significantly slower to machine with conventional techniques
• Poor edge condition seen in laser cutting and limited to thinner sheets
• Reduced life of cutting tools and dies.
Issue 131 July 2018 PCMI Journal 45
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