[TheForge] Forging Titanium

Mon Apr 21 18:56:01 2003

To All,
Forging Titanium is different not difficult.  I would stick with the CP 
grades.  There have been rumors about 6Al4V making you sick with the vanadium 
flu.  I have not been able to confirm or deny these rumors with fact, so I 
say better safe than sorry.
Forge from a nice yellow heat.  I use a gas forge at home and charcoal at 
HoFu.  It will oxidize and the oxide will frost your anvil where you are 
working.  The flow properties are very different so it will take some getting 
use to it.  I have found that it wants to hourglass more than it wants to 
bulge.  You will know with one hammer blow when to stop forging.  One thing 
very different from steel is that the surface oxide is "dry" and very 
adherent even though it will shed copious amount of oxide as you forge it.  I 
have seen people use borax on the surface to sort of flux it and it seems to 
keep the elephant skin effect down.  The oxide is brutal on all cutting 
methods except plasma.  If you want to dull files or wear out belts, keep the 
oxide on before trying to grind or file it.
Titanium is just one of those things that you like to have in your bag of 
tricks.  It makes a great flint striker and its density will always get a 
rise from the unfamiliar.  I have made identical pieces from steel and 
titanium and have had the Ti just about float out of the hand of one who has 
just handled the steel piece.

Have fun,

Hochewa

In a message dated 4/21/2003 6:32:03 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
[email protected] writes:

> I have no knowledge of FORGING titanium , but I have dealt with laser
> cutting the metal. Titanium is very subject to micro craking and
> contamination. For that reason, Helium is always used as a shelding agent.
> Since it must be shielded with an inert gas, I am guessing that forge
> heating would drastically alter its properties, but perhaps not enough to
> alter an artistic look.
> 
> I do remember that it was quite a light show when cutting the titanium, I
> used to shut the shop lights off and enjoy.
> 

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