[TheForge] Titanium

[David E. Smucker]

Dan,  Not sure, as I am sure not a met, but I think some of the titanium 
alloys can be solution heat treated like aluminum.  But for damn sure they 
work harden like a SOB.  If you have ever machined any of the stuff it can 
be a real problem.  It work hardens ahead of the drill bit or milling cutter 
making it difficult to machine at times.  In Russia they used large old 
planners to mill the top and bottom of slabs for rolling because using a 
milling cutter as we do in aluminum doesn't work very well.  Machining slabs 
for rolling with a single point tool in a  planner is a labor of love.

Dave Smucker
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Tull" <dantull at numail.org>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 9:13 AM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Titanium


> chuck,
> I was told by some that the only way to harden Ti was work harden.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Chuck Robinson" <robi5515 at bellsouth.net>
> To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 10:42 PM
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Titanium
>
>
>> Right on  Andy.
>> The knives are also used by EOD folks because it doesn't
>> affect the magnetic fields of magnetic mines and other explosive devices 
>> triggered by distorting magnetic fields.
>> The knives are also treated with a special hardening process, but being 
>> an old fart, with failing memory , I can't recall how it is done.
>> Chuck
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Andrew Vida" <osan at netlabs.net>
>> To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2005 11:36 PM
>> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Titanium
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> debmiller at fuse.net wrote:
>>>> Hey Guys,
>>>> I must admit to forgetting whether or not I asked this question.
>>>> I have a welding class with a student interested in forging a blade out 
>>>> of titanium.
>>>
>>> Just this side of useless as a cutting utensil.
>>>>
>>>> I mentioned that on this lost some people have recommended against 
>>>> titanium several times. I cannot remember why.
>>>
>>> Far too soft. 6-4 alloy used to be the hardest of them (may no longer be 
>>> the case... been a few years since I dealt with it).
>>>
>>> It makes a miserable knife compared to a good steel.
>>>>
>>>> If titanium is a potential blade material does anyone have a chunk 
>>>> roughly 2" x 8" x 1 1/2" or so that you would sell him?
>>>
>>> You also have to be a bit careful with forging the alloys.  First you 
>>> have the issues of safety WRT fumes of vanadium, which may not kill you, 
>>> but they won't help you much either.  Hot forging 6-4 is, as I recall, 
>>> best accomplished with a hydraulic press.  This can all be looked up in 
>>> a Mark's Handbook.  These alloys are not easy to forge the way CP is. In 
>>> grinding, they glaze wheels heavily.  And in the end you may have a 
>>> really nice looking, but functionally useless knife.  As I recall, 
>>> SEAL/UDT has a Ti alloy knife that they use for certain types of 
>>> operation.  I have heard that their usefulness is exceptionally limited.
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>>> theforge mail list group photo site is
>>> http://www.photoaccess.com
>>> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>>> password:  anvil
>>> ___________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>> theforge mail list group photo site is
>> http://www.photoaccess.com
>> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>> password:  anvil
>> ___________
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
>
>
>