Titanium-Cobalt Alloy And Associated Thixoforming Method

Abstract

A titanium alloy that includes about 5 to about 27 percent by weight cobalt and titanium.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A titanium alloy comprising:
 about 5 to about 27 percent by weight cobalt; and   titanium.   
     
     
         2 . The titanium alloy of  claim 1  wherein said cobalt is present at about 10 to about 27 percent by weight. 
     
     
         3 . The titanium alloy of  claim 1  wherein said cobalt is present at about 13 to about 27 percent by weight. 
     
     
         4 . The titanium alloy of  claim 1  wherein said cobalt is present at about 15 to about 25 percent by weight. 
     
     
         5 . The titanium alloy of  claim 1  wherein said cobalt is present at about 17 to about 23 percent by weight. 
     
     
         6 . The titanium alloy of  claim 1  wherein said cobalt is present at about 17 to about 21 percent by weight. 
     
     
         7 . The titanium alloy of  claim 1  wherein oxygen is present as an impurity at a concentration of at most about 0.25 percent by weight. 
     
     
         8 . The titanium alloy of  claim 1  wherein nitrogen is present as an impurity at a concentration of at most about 0.03 percent by weight. 
     
     
         9 . The titanium alloy of  claim 1  consisting of said cobalt and said titanium. 
     
     
         10 . A method for manufacturing a metallic article comprising:
 heating a mass of titanium alloy to a thixoforming temperature, said thixoforming temperature being between a solidus temperature of said titanium alloy and a liquidus temperature of said titanium alloy, said titanium alloy comprising cobalt and titanium;   forming said mass into said metallic article while said mass is at said thixoforming temperature.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising maintaining said mass at said thixoforming temperature for at least 60 seconds prior to said forming said mass into said metallic article. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising maintaining said mass at said thixoforming temperature for at least 600 seconds prior to said forming said mass into said metallic article. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising selecting said titanium alloy such that a difference between said solidus temperature and said liquidus temperature is at least 200° C. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising selecting said titanium alloy such that a difference between said solidus temperature and said liquidus temperature is at least 250° C. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising selecting said titanium alloy to have a liquid fraction between about 30 percent and about 50 percent at a temperature less than 1,200° C. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising selecting said titanium alloy to have a liquid fraction between about 30 percent and about 50 percent at a temperature less than 1,100° C. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said cobalt is present in said titanium alloy at about 5 to about 27 percent by weight. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said cobalt is present in said titanium alloy at about 13 to about 27 percent by weight. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said cobalt is present in said titanium alloy at about 17 to about 23 percent by weight. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said titanium alloy consists of said cobalt and said titanium.