When it comes to strength and lightness, the first thing that comes to mind is titanium alloy. This metal, comparable in strength to steel, is much lighter. Tubes made of this material have found wide application in various industries, from aircraft manufacturing to medicine. Let's figure out why it is so valued and what opportunities it opens up for users.
Production Secrets
The discovery of titanium and the development of its processing technologies revolutionized materials science. Thanks to their unique properties, its tubes have found application in the most advanced areas of technology. From the aviation industry to medicine, this metal has become a symbol of reliability and durability. Tubes are manufactured in the following ways:
- obtaining a blank;
- hot deformation;
- cold deformation;
- heat treatment;
- quality control;
- finishing.
The ore undergoes complex metallurgical processing in order to obtain pure metal. The resulting raw materials are poured into special molds to obtain blanks of the desired shape and size. Afterwards, they are forged to give them the required structure and quality characteristics.
The structures are rolled on special machines to obtain a tubular blank. Extrusion is necessary to obtain small diameter pipes and complex profiles. The tubular blank is cold rolled to obtain precise dimensions and a smooth surface. If it is necessary to obtain rolled products with thin walls and small diameters, drawing is used.
Annealing is important for relieving internal stresses and improving mechanical properties. Quenching is designed to increase strength qualities and the degree of hardness. Next, an inspection is carried out for defects and final processing, which includes cutting to size, creating threads, polishing or applying an additional coating.
Application of rolled pipes
Titanium pipes are used in the production of gas turbine engine parts operating at high temperatures and in aggressive environments. Due to their good resistance to rust, products of this type are ideal for transporting fuel. They are often used to transport aggressive environments, which include hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, and sea water. Due to excellent thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, rolled pipes are used in heat exchangers and chemical reactors operating at high temperatures and pressures. Titanium pipes are relevant for use in deep-sea drilling, oil and gas transportation.
They are essential for the manufacture of implants in the medical field, for example, bone plates, vascular stents. Use is possible due to the biocompatibility and strength of the raw materials. Tools made of this metal have increased strength and rust resistance, which is important for sterility.
In sports cars and motorcycles, rolled products are needed to create lightweight and durable structures. In shipbuilding for the manufacture of shafts, blades, elements of underwater vehicles. Rolled pipes are actively used in the production of equipment for the food industry and nuclear power plants for the manufacture of components in contact with water and steam.
Product advantages
Titanium pipes are a real find, combining many unique qualities that distinguish them from other materials:
- endurance you can rely on;
- ideal balance of weight and strength;
- unrivaled protection from aggressive environments;
- unique biological compatibility;
- high melting point and heat resistance;
- durability under cyclic loads;
- environmental friendliness and the possibility of recycling.
One of the main reasons why rolled pipes are so widely used is their outstanding strength. The metal has high mechanical properties, which make it an excellent choice for structures subject to heavy loads. In conditions where other metals can deform or break, it maintains its integrity, ensuring the reliability and durability of systems. With the same strength as other materials, such pipes weigh much less. They can withstand high temperatures without losing their mechanical properties. They are also an environmentally friendly raw material that does not pollute the environment.
With the development of technology and a decrease in production costs, the use of pipes will expand. New alloys with improved properties will make it possible to create even lighter and stronger structures. Titanium rolled pipes have great potential in areas such as 3D printing, robotics and space exploration.