Method of modifying thermal and electrical properties of multi-component titanium alloys

Abstract

A method of increasing the thermal conductivity and decreasing the electrical resistivity of a titanium alloy. Boron is introduced into the titanium alloy to produce TiB precipitates. The TiB precipitates are then aligned in a direction of metal flow by hot metalworking.

1 . A method of increasing thermal conductivity and decreasing electrical resistivity of a titanium alloy comprising:
 introducing boron into the titanium alloy to produce TiB precipitates, and   aligning the TiB precipitates in a direction of metal flow by hot metalworking.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the TiB precipitates are produced by casting, cast-and-wrought processing, or powder metallurgy techniques. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the hot metalworking is forging, rolling or extrusion. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the titanium alloy is a multi-component material such as Ti-6Al-4V or Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the boron is approximately 0.01% to 18.4% by weight of the titanium alloy. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the boron is added to a molten titanium alloy, and the resulting liquid melt is inert gas atomized to produce a titanium alloy powder containing needle shaped TiB precipitates distributed uniformly and in random orientations. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the titanium alloy powder is consolidated by hot isostatic pressing. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the hot metalworking is forging of a powder compact at a temperature of approximately 1750-2000° F. and a ram speed of approximately 40 inch./min. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the hot metalworking is extrusion processing of a powder compact at a temperature of approximately 2000° F. and a ram speed of approximately 100 inch./min. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein there is no degradation of the ductility or fatigue of the titanium alloy.