powdered titanium is a highly soluble alloying component that can be used in laser/electron beam additive manufacturing (SLM/EBM), plasma rotating electrode process (PREP) and other powder metallurgy processes to produce net shape and near net shape components with minimal material loss. Its properties of high strength to weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance make it ideal for aerospace parts, medical equipment, and various other industrial applications where these benefits are essential.
Titanium powder can be produced by a variety of different methods and is typically obtained via the Kroll process which involves chlorination of titanium ore at up to 1040degC. This is followed by a series of sub-processes such as alloying, cold compaction, vacuum hot pressing and vacuum annealing.
For additive manufacturing, titanium is a commonly used alloying component because of its unique and important properties that are not found in many other metals. This makes it a very useful ingredient in 3D printing technology and is available from Hoganas.
It is also used as a pigment in a wide range of paints, plastics and paper products because of its ability to absorb light and remain opaque. It is also resistant to oxidation and can be produced at very small particle sizes.
The key to ensuring that powdered titanium is not a flammability hazard is the presence of a minimum ignition temperature (MIT). This is generally defined as the minimum temperature required for a spark to ignite titanium despite the presence of a native oxide layer.