Differences in manufacturing processes
1. Titanium bars
Process steps:
Hot rolling: Titanium billets are continuously rolled into bars through rolling mills at high temperatures
Cold drawing: Cold processing of hot-rolled titanium bars to improve surface finish and dimensional accuracy
Annealing: Eliminate processing stress and restore material toughness
Process characteristics: Suitable for mass production, high material utilization, but anisotropy may exist in the internal structure
2. Titanium forgings
Process steps:
Free forging: Plastic deformation of titanium ingots by hammering or presses, suitable for simple shapes
Transverse forging: Use dies to press titanium billets to form complex shapes (blades, flanges)
Isothermal forging: Slow forming at high temperatures, suitable for high-precision, high-performance components (aerospace engine parts)
Process performance: Refine grains by forging to eliminate casting defects, but high cost and long cycle
3. Titanium plate
Process steps
Hot rolling: Titanium billets are rolled into thick plates (thickness ≤ 3mm) at high temperatures
Cold rolling: Hot rolled plates are further rolled to produce thin plates (thickness < 3mm)
Surface treatment: Pickling, polishing or sandblasting to improve corrosion resistance and aesthetics
Process characteristics: Large-sized plates can be produced, but the edges are prone to cracking and the rolling temperature needs to be strictly controlled
Performance comparison
| Performance Indicators | Titanium bars | titanium forgings | titanium plates |
| Strength and toughness | Medium, obvious anisotropy | Highest, isotropic (uniform grains) | Medium, anisotropic (rolling direction) |
| Fatigue performance | General | Excellent (no internal defects) | Good (high surface quality) |
| Corrosion resistance | Good uniform corrosion resistance | Excellent uniform corrosion resistance, stress corrosion resistance | Excellent uniform corrosion resistance, but the welding area is prone to deterioration |
| Processing performance | Easy to cut, drill | Requires precision machining, high cost | Easy to cut, bend, weld |
| microstructure | Fibrous streamline structure | Equiaxed fine grain structure | Layered rolling structure |
Differences in application scenarios
1. Titanium rods
Shaft parts: chemical pump shafts, ship transmission shafts
Implants: artificial joints, orthopedic screws
Standard parts: bolts, rivets (need to be cold drawn to improve accuracy)
Advantages: high dimensional accuracy, suitable for mass production of linear components
2. Titanium forgings
Aerospace engines: high-pressure compressor blades, turbine discs
Nuclear power equipment: reactor pressure vessel flanges (resistant to high temperature creep)
Military industry: missile shells, armor plates (high impact resistance)
Advantages: key components that bear complex stresses and have high reliability requirements
3. Titanium plate
Chemical containers: reactor lining, electrolytic cell (resistant to hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid corrosion)
Shipbuilding: seawater desalination device, submarine pressure hull
Architectural decoration: landmark building curtain wall
Advantages: large coverage area, suitable for welding and stamping
Comparison of standards and specifications
| Standard type | Titanium bars | titanium forgings | titanium plates |
| International standard | ASTM B348 | ASTM B381 | ASTM B265 |
| Chinese standard | GB/T2965-2018 | GB/T16598-2013 | GB/T3621-2007 |
| key indicators | Diameter tolerance, tensile strength | Ultrasonic testing, grain size | Thickness tolerance, surface roughness |
| special requirements | Medical grade must comply with ASTM F136 | Aerospace forgings must comply with AMS 4928 | Nuclear power plates must meet ASME SB-265 |
Summary of core differences
Process essence
Titanium rod: linear forming, suitable for continuous processing
Titanium forging: plastic deformation, improve material compactness and density
Titanium plate: plane expansion, pay attention to surface uniformity
Performance focus
Forgings>Rods>Plate (sorted by comprehensive mechanical properties)
Cost and cycle
Titanium plate (low) Design flexibility
Titanium forgings can be customized with complex shapes, titanium plates are suitable for large-area coverage, and titanium rods are suitable for standardized parts
Selection suggestions
Titanium rods: require high precision, processed shafts or standard parts
Titanium forgings: key components that bear extreme loads or complex stresses
Titanium plates: corrosion-resistant covering layers or structures that need to be welded
Through comprehensive performance, cost and application requirements, the titanium material form can be accurately matched to give full play to the advantages of titanium alloy in terms of lightweight, high strength and corrosion resistance
