Titanium and Titanium Alloy Forging

Custom Aerospace Industrial Titanium Forged Components

High‑strength custom titanium alloy forgings with multiple alloy grades, various forging processes, full NDT inspection, for aviation, medical implant and heavy‑duty industrial projects.

Available Forging Alloy Grades

Alloy Grade Key Characteristics Relevant Standards
Commercially Pure Titanium Grades 1‑4 Excellent corrosion resistance, balanced strength‑toughness, low density AMS 4921, ASTM B381, GB/T 16598
Ti‑6Al‑4V Grade 5 High strength‑to‑weight ratio, good fatigue resistance and formability AMS 4928, AMS 4931, ASTM B381, MIL‑T‑9047
Ti‑6Al‑4V ELI Grade 23 Extra‑low interstitial elements, high toughness, premium biocompatibility AMS 6931, AMS 4928
Ti‑5Al‑2.5Sn Superior high‑temperature creep resistance ASTM B381, MIL‑T‑9047
Ti‑6Al‑2Sn‑4Zr‑2Mo (6‑2‑4‑2) Outstanding high‑temperature strength and creep performance AMS 4921, AMS 4965
Ti‑10V‑2Fe‑3Al High‑strength beta alloy, adjustable properties via post‑forging heat‑treatment AMS 4983
Ti‑0.2Pd Grade7 / Ti‑0.3Mo‑0.8Ni Grade12 Enhanced crevice & seawater corrosion resistant titanium alloys ASTM B381

Main Titanium Forged Product Types & Size Range

Titanium Forged Rings
  • Process: Seamless rolling forging, minimizes internal defects
  • Diameter: 6″ – 110″
  • Thickness: Up to 30″
  • Max Weight: 55,000 lbs
Titanium Forged Discs (Forged Cakes)
  • Process: Upset forging for refined grain structure
  • Diameter: 3″ – 124″
  • Thickness: 2″ – 20″
  • Max Weight: 60,000 lbs
Titanium Forged Hollow Tubes
  • Feature: Custom special-geometry hollow components
  • Max OD: 50″
  • Thickness: Up to 30″
  • Max Weight: 55,000 lbs
Titanium Forged Bars
  • Diameter: 0.5″ – 45″
  • Custom Length: Up to 430″
  • Max Weight: 77,000 lbs
Titanium Forged Plates
  • Compression Ratio: ≥ 3:1
  • Thickness: Up to 20″
  • Width: Up to 36″
  • Max Weight: 20,000 lbs
Titanium Forged Blocks
  • Testing: 100% ultrasonic testing
  • Max Edge Length: 70″
  • Max Weight: 15,000 lbs
Forged Titanium Flanges
  • Standard: ASME B16.5
  • Types: SORF, BLIND, RFWN
  • Pressure Class: CL150, CL300, CL600, CL1500
Other Custom Forged Parts
  • Large monolithic one-piece forgings
  • Precision near-net-shape die forgings
  • Forged step shafts, landing gear, wheel hubs, blades
Titanium Grade 7 Tube

Custom Forging Titanium Flange

Custom

Forging Titanium Flange

Forged titanium flanges are manufactured in accordance with ASTM B381 / ASME SB-381 to meet the stringent requirements of pressure-retaining and corrosive service applications.

Forging Process & Microstructure

Through controlled multi-pass upsetting and drawing operations, the internal structure is refined into a uniform wrought microstructure. This thermomechanical process effectively eliminates casting-induced defects such as gas porosity, micro-cracks, and non-metallic inclusions.

The resulting density and structural integrity significantly enhance mechanical properties, ensuring the flange can withstand high hoop stresses, cyclic loading, and aggressive chemical environments while extending the operational service life of the piping system.

Machining & Surface Quality

The forging process provides excellent machinability, allowing for the production of complex geometries and custom configurations based on project-specific requirements.

Precision machining capabilities include:

  • High-precision CNC turning
  • Milling and facing operations
  • Precision drilling and tapping

Forged flanges exhibit superior surface integrity, providing an optimal foundation for subsequent surface treatments such as pickling, passivation, or PTFE coating, and ensuring reliable sealing performance during assembly.

Comparison of Titanium Manufacturing Processes

Titanium components are produced by several thermomechanical routes. Each process delivers distinct microstructural characteristics, dimensional capabilities and cost profiles. The following comparison assists in material and process selection for engineering applications.

Process Key Characteristics Typical Applications Limitations
Forgings
(ASTM B381)
  • Refined wrought microstructure
  • High mechanical strength & fatigue resistance
  • Excellent reliability under cyclic loading
  • Customizable sizes & configurations
Aerospace structural parts, compressor discs, flanges, pressure-retaining components, high-performance automotive systems Higher tooling cost; limited geometric complexity compared to casting
Castings
(ASTM B367)
  • Capable of complex, near-net shapes
  • Lower unit cost for large components
  • Suitable for large-scale production
Large valve bodies, pump casings, impellers, flanges, and irregularly shaped housings Lower ductility; potential for porosity; not recommended for critical fatigue applications without HIP
Extrusions
(ASTM B348 / B381)
  • Good dimensional accuracy & surface finish
  • No weld seams
  • Uniform mechanical properties along length
Bars, hollow sections, tubes, structural profiles, shafts, and frames Limited to constant cross-sections; not suitable for highly complex geometries
Powder Metallurgy
(Additive / P/M)
  • High design flexibility
  • Minimal material waste
  • Capable of micro-scale features
  • High precision with tight tolerances
Medical implants, aerospace brackets, miniature components, custom prototypes Higher raw material cost; limited part size; mechanical properties may be anisotropic

Forging vs Casting vs Extrusion vs Powder‑Metallurgy Titanium

Equipped with air hammers, hydraulic presses (2000 tons ~ 65000 tons), quick forging machines and ring rolling mills. Ring rolling mill can produce seamless rings up to 120‑inch diameter. Support small‑batch prototype development as well as mass serial production orders.

Manufacturing Type Key Merits Typical Application
Titanium Forging Highest strength, good fatigue resistance, dense grain structure, high reliability for critical loads Aerospace landing gear, military structural components, high‑pressure parts
Titanium Casting Complex shapes, lower cost for mass‑production; risk of internal porosity General flanges, pipe fittings, non‑safety‑critical parts
Titanium Extrusion Smooth surface, free of welding defects, good dimensional precision Bar, tube, profile shaft‑type components
Powder‑Metallurgy Parts Material saving, suitable for miniature complex geometry small‑batch parts Micro precision special‑shaped components

Titanium Forging Process Types

  • Open‑die Forging: For heavy and extra‑large blanks, high flexibility, cost‑effective for large mechanical pre‑forms
  • Closed‑die Forging: High‑precision near‑net‑shape parts, high material utilization for aerospace precision components
  • Isothermal Forging: Equal temperature for mold and blank, low deformation stress for complex engine components
  • Segmental Forging: Produce ultra‑large forgings with limited equipment tonnage
  • Extrusion Forging: Forward / reverse extrusion for high‑precision hollow valves and pipe fittings
  • Multi‑Directional Forging: For complex cylindrical pressure‑vessel components
  • Super‑plastic Forging (SPF): For complex thin‑wall aerospace and medical parts
  • Special‑Purpose Forging: Mass‑production for standard fastener parts

High‑temperature protective coatings: Liquid glass, molybdenum disulfide, graphite, boron nitride, ceramic, titanium‑dioxide coatings, preventing oxygen / nitrogen contamination during heating cycles.

Titanium Forging Process & Process Control

Titanium forgings are manufactured in accordance with ASTM B381 / ASME SB-381. The forging process is designed to refine the microstructure, eliminate casting defects, and achieve specified mechanical properties for critical applications.

Forging Process Sequence

  1. Material Selection: High-quality titanium alloys (e.g., Gr5 / Ti-6Al-4V, Gr2, Gr7) are selected based on mechanical and corrosion requirements.
  2. Billet Preparation: Billets are cut to length and inspected for surface integrity prior to heating.
  3. Heating: Billets are heated within the beta or alpha-beta temperature range to achieve optimal ductility while avoiding excessive grain growth.
  4. Forging (Upsetting & Drawing): Multi-pass forging operations refine the microstructure and develop a uniform wrought structure.
  5. Cooling: Forgings are cooled under controlled conditions to prevent thermal shock and residual stress accumulation.
  6. Heat Treatment: Solution treatment and aging (for alpha-beta alloys) or stress relieving (for CP titanium) are performed to meet specified mechanical properties.
  7. Finishing: CNC machining, surface treatment, and non-destructive testing ensure dimensional accuracy and compliance with specifications.

Protective Coatings & Atmosphere Control

Titanium is highly reactive at elevated temperatures. During forging, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen can diffuse into the surface, forming a brittle alpha case that must be removed after processing.

Common protective measures include:

Liquid Glass Primary lubricant; promotes metal flow and reduces die pickup.
MoS₂ / Graphite Reduce friction and extend die life.
Boron Nitride High-temperature lubricant; prevents adhesion to tooling.
Zirconium / Ceramic Excellent oxidation resistance for high-temperature forging.
TiO₂-based Coatings Reduce surface oxidation and improve release characteristics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grade7 titanium alloy UNS designation is R52400, complying with ASTM B338 heat exchanger tube standard.
0.12~0.25% palladium modifies alloy electrochemical property, speeds up passive film self-healing and greatly improves resistance to crevice & pitting corrosion in acid and seawater environments.
Grade2 is standard pure titanium without palladium; Grade7 adds Pd element, with far superior anti-localized corrosion performance for stagnant chloride/acid heat exchange equipment.
Yes, Grade7 is the preferred material for desalination evaporators, it resists crevice corrosion at tube sheet flange joints under long-term seawater circulation.
Complete EN 10204 3.1 MTC including PMI palladium test, chemical, mechanical and full NDT records; SGS/BV third-party inspection available on request.
We provide seamless cold drawn Grade7 tube and continuous TIG welded Grade7 tube with pickled matte surface finish.
The minimum elongation for annealed Grade7 tubing is 20% under 2-inch gauge length tensile test.
Seawater, brackish water, dilute hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, hot brine and other reducing & chloride-containing corrosive fluids.
ASTM B338 / ASME SB338 specification for seamless and welded titanium condenser & evaporator tubing.
The density of Grade7 titanium alloy is 4.51 g/cm³ (0.163 lb/in³).

Titanium Flange Forging Methods

Titanium flanges are manufactured in accordance with ASTM B381 / ASME SB-381. The selection between free forging and die forging depends on geometry complexity, production volume, and dimensional tolerances.

Free Forging (Open-Die Forging)

Suitable for low-complexity geometries, single-piece orders, or low-volume production runs, such as flat-face or raised-face flanges.

Process sequence:

  • Upsetting: Increases cross-sectional area and refines internal grain structure.
  • Drawing: Adjusts billet length and profile to approximate final dimensions.
  • Punching: Forms the central bore of the flange.

The forging ratio is strictly controlled, typically within 3:1 to 5:1, to ensure optimal mechanical properties and eliminate casting-induced defects.

Die Forging (Closed-Die Forging)

Selected for complex geometries and medium-to-high volume production. Heated titanium billets are placed into precision-machined dies and deformed under high pressure to fill the cavity completely.

Key advantages:

  • High dimensional accuracy and repeatability
  • Improved surface finish, reducing machining allowances
  • Enhanced production efficiency for batch orders

Process considerations: While die forging offers superior consistency, it requires significant upfront investment in die design and manufacturing. Tooling costs are typically amortized over larger production quantities.

Forged Titanium Flange — Specifications

All forged titanium flanges are manufactured in accordance with ASTM B381 / ASME SB-381 and machined to the dimensional requirements of the following international standards.

Category Specifications
Applicable Standards ASME B16.5, ASME B16.47 Series A & B, ASME B16.36, ASME B16.48, BS 10, BS 4504, BS 1560, BS 3293, EN 1092-1, DIN 2527–2656 series, GOST 12820, JIS B2220, KS B1503, UNI 2276, NFE 29203, SABS 1123, AWWA C207, API 6A, API 605, MSS SP-44
Titanium Grades Gr1, Gr2, Gr3, Gr4, Gr5 (Ti-6Al-4V), Gr6, Gr7, Gr9 (Ti-3Al-2.5V), Gr11, Gr12, Gr23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI)
Pressure Ratings ASME Classes: 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500, 2500 LBS
EN / DIN PN: PN6, PN10, PN16, PN25, PN40, PN64
JIS / KS: 5K, 10K, 16K, 20K, 30K, 40K, 63K
Nominal Size Range ASME: ½" (DN15) – 48" (DN1200)
Extended range: up to DN5000 on request
Flange Face Types Raised Face (RF), Flat Face (FF), Ring-Type Joint (RTJ), Lap-Joint Face (LJF), Large & Small Tongue & Groove (T&G), Large & Small Male-Female (LMF / SMF)
Flange Types Plate Flange, Threaded Flange, Socket-Weld Flange, Slip-On Flange, Weld-Neck Flange, Blind Flange, Lap-Joint Flange, Forged Flange, Screwed Flange
Supporting Components Stud bolts & nuts (ASTM F468 / F467 Ti alloy), Spiral-wound & ring-joint gaskets, RTJ ring grooves per ASME B16.20
Mill / Material Origin Korea, Japan, India, USA, Western Europe
Titanium weldinge

Titanium Welding

Titanium Welding

Performed to AWS A5.16 & ASME Section IX. Strict inert gas shielding and surface cleanliness are mandatory.

Process & Materials

Primary Process: GTAW (TIG), DCEN polarity

Common Grades:

  • CP-Ti (Gr1, Gr2, Gr7) – Excellent weldability, no PWHT required
  • Gr5 / Gr9 – Requires post-weld heat treatment
Critical Rules (Non-Negotiable)
  • Cleanliness: Acetone degreasing immediately before welding. Dedicated stainless-steel brush only. No chlorinated solvents.
  • Shielding: Argon purity ≥ 99.995%. Protect weld pool, trailing zone and backside until temperature drops below 425°C.
  • Contamination: Molten titanium reacts instantly with O₂, N₂, H₂. Max tolerable limits: 0.3% O, 0.15% N, 150 ppm H.

Main Application Industries

Medical Implants
Bone screws, dental implants, hip joint components with excellent biocompatibility.
Aerospace
Turbine discs, blades, landing gear, wing spars, engine structural forgings.
Industrial Machinery
High-load bearings, shafts, heavy-duty fastener components.
Sports Equipment
Golf club heads, bicycle frames, high-performance ski components.
Marine Hardware
Propeller shafts, seawater valves, marine corrosion-resistant fittings.
Automotive
Wheel hubs, turbocharger parts, exhaust systems, steering knuckle forgings.
Chemical & Petrochemical
Reactors, heat-exchanger parts, corrosion-resistant pump & valve forgings.
Military & Defense
Tank structures, submarine components, missile casings, gun-system parts.
Titanium Unique Properties

The Unique Properties of Titanium

Titanium is a transition metal valued for its high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. It is widely used in aerospace, chemical processing, marine and medical applications.

Titanium uses chemical symbol Ti, atomic number 22 and atomic weight 47.90. It ranks as the 9th most abundant element and 4th most abundant metallic element within the Earth’s crust. The main natural mineral deposits containing titanium are rutile and ilmenite, which are mostly mined in Australia and South Africa.

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