ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | MARCH 2024 22 format, multi-laser systems and wire- directed energy deposition methods like laser hot wire. Innovations in emerging alloys are noteworthy, with ATI successfully utilizing LPBF and blown powder DED for parts made from TITAN 23. IperionX, a new titanium powder producer, employs hydrogen-assisted magnesiothermic reduction (HAMR) technology to produce low-cost, sustainable, and 100% recycled spherical Ti-6Al-4V powder. Their commercialized pilot facility in Salt Lake City is operational, with plans for a new facility in Virginia targeting a capacity of 125 metric tons per annum by 2024. QuesTek Innovations LLC applied integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) methodologies to develop novel titanium alloys tailored for AM. The ICME technologies extend to wire and powder-based AM, demonstrating improved properties and equiaxed grain structure. QuesTek has developed ICMD, a cloud-based software integrating titanium databases and ICME models for microstructure design, property enhancement, and process optimization. Pratt & Whitney (P&W), in collaboration with the RTX Technology Research Center (RTRC), has developed a multi-scale, hybrid analytical-numerical process model for AM that has been incorporated into the Simufact Additive software suite. This model predicts thermal history and defects at the scan vector and powder-layer levels, aiding in consistent AM component properties with low defect risk. Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH has been exploring Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al for wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), targeting the production of landing gear components. This project in Germany focuses on WAAM for Ti-6Al-4V parts, aiming to reduce the buy- to-fly ratio of aerospace components[2]. LPBF presents advantages for biomedical implant manufacturing, but challenges arise with conventional titanium alloys in terms of anisotropic properties. Technische Universität Braunschweig and DECHEMA Research Institute are collaborating on a project addressing alloy development and corrosion properties for biomedical applications. The goal is to develop a dedicated (α+β)-titanium alloy and a tailored process route for LPBF- printing and post-processing, ensuring mechanical and corrosion properties comparable to or surpassing traditional manufacturing approaches. Ti MICROTEXTURE EFFECTS ON PROPERTIES Significant progress has been made in developing a quantitative description of critical microtexture definitions, which have been recommended for inclusion in an update to the FAA’s AC 33.15-1 and reported in the conference proceedings[4,5]. A common methodology for characterizing MTRs from electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data is being adopted. The industry is using a workflow that involves collecting large-area EBSD data and employing a pipeline within DREAM.3D[1] for clustering pixels based on c-axis orientation similarity. Additionally, Metals Affordability Initiative (MAI) program teams have successfully developed and validated MTR classification and quantification pipelines, along with automated MATLAB post-processing scripts, currently under review for public release by OEMs and the U.S. Air Force[3]. Large-area characterization of MTRs in titanium alloys has been a significant focus in recent development efforts. EBSD is the prevailing method for MTR characterization, but it is both expensive and time-consuming for covering extensive areas needed for stable MTR metric distributions. In the United States, two companies are pioneering the use of polarized light for Ti alloy characterization. Materials Resources LLC has introduced the TiPolar system, capable of c-axis orientation mapping at speeds up to one million pixels per second. The system achieves a resolution of 0.74 μm, is compact and portable, and capable of performing mapping in air environments. Advanced Optical Technologies offers the CrystalView system, a quantitative wide-field polarized light microscope with a 5 μm spatial resolution. This system measures key elements of the Mueller matrix sensitive to crystal orientation, providing a large-area map for orientation. Iowa State University is also working on developing a system for volumetric measurements of 3D MTR morphology and crystal orientation. They are integrating spatially resolved acoustic spectroscopy (SRAS) with the Robo-Met.3D system for comprehensive characterization. Under the PW-18 MAI program, these alternative MTR characterization methods are being evaluated for their suitability as screening tools, especially WORLD TITANIUM CONFERENCE HEADS TO BERLIN IN 2027 The 16th World Conference on Titanium (WTC 2027) will be hosted by Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Metallkunde and held in Berlin on Sept. 12 to 17, 2027. Berlin, with its rich history and modernity, serves as the perfect backdrop for fostering discussions on the future of titanium. The city’s innovation-driven environment will surely inspire and energize the dialogue among a diverse group of attendees. Every edition of the conference reflects the current trends, challenges, and opportunities facing the titanium industry. The 2027 congress in Berlin will particularly emphasize sustainability, innovation, and the role of titanium in emerging markets. Submissions will be accepted starting September 2026. For more information, visit titanium2027.com.
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