- Email: [email protected]
QinetiQ takes Cambridge FFC lead for titanium powder production
news
QinetiQ takes Cambridge FFC lead for titanium powder production THE aerospace and other hitech industries that are increasingly looking to produce more and ever-cheaper components in titanium because of its attractive strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance will take heart from the commercial development of an extraction process developed in Cambridge. QinetiQ, the UK's semi-privatised former Defence Evaluation Research Agency that is the umbrella for a plethora of small businesses and commercial initiatives, has industrialised the FFC Cambridge electrolytic powder production process (See Metal Powder Report, September 2002) and is establishing a dedicated pilot production plant to capture a significant share of the emerging titanium powder metal market. QinetiQ has patented a number of modifi-
cations. Last year it launched a nanopowder production unit (See Metal Powder Report, April 2003). Most titanium components are currently machined from solid ingots, often a costly, wasteful and time-consuming process. However, using titanium powder as the feedstock and adopting powder metallurgy manufacturing processes, complex engineered components can be more competitively produced and with much reduced waste material. Strength and performance are not compromised, and in many cases the cost and time scales of production are reduced. "The existing processes for producing high quality titanium powders start with ingots that cost around £20 per kilogram and significant additional costs are incurred in converting it into powder form," explained Professor Malcolm Ward-Close,
A titanium component with titanium powder and raw white metal oxide feedstock
4
MPR September 2004
Planemakers would like to be able to use nor titanium at the right price. Lighter, more efficient aircraft mean better performance and less pollution. Photograph courtesy Airbus
the QinetiQ lead on the project. "With our process we can go straight to producing titanium alloy powders, from a widely available and inexpensive metal oxide feedstock." The QinetiQ - FFC Cambridge process converts titanium dioxide directly into titanium metal via an electrode oxidation process. It is not confined to producing pure titanium. By mixing other metal oxides with the titanium dioxide during the initial process, a range of alloys, each with specific characteristics, can easily, and cost-effectively be produced. These could include titanium-nickel shape memory and titanium-niobium superconducting alloys. Initial production at QinetiQ's pilot plant is expected to start later this year, with commercial quality powders being available by January 2005. Once fully commissioned, QinetiQ will be able to
supply a wide range of titanium alloy powders at tonnage levels per year. The design of the pilot plant can also be easily scaled with the addition of further units to meet anticipated market demand for affordable titanium alloy powders.
Muscular measurement A new range of wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometers with applications and capabilities tailored to meet the precise needs of specific industries has been introduced by Dutch measurement company PANalytical. The Axios series is robust built to work perfectly in unforgiving, on-site industrial conditions. Consequently, analytical performance is unaffected by heat and dust, assuring users of the precision required, say its makers.
metal-powder.net
QinetiQ takes Cambridge FFC lead for titanium powder production THE aerospace and other hitech industries that are increasingly looking to produce more and ever-cheaper components in titanium because of its attractive strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance will take heart from the commercial development of an extraction process developed in Cambridge. QinetiQ, the UK's semi-privatised former Defence Evaluation Research Agency that is the umbrella for a plethora of small businesses and commercial initiatives, has industrialised the FFC Cambridge electrolytic powder production process (See Metal Powder Report, September 2002) and is establishing a dedicated pilot production plant to capture a significant share of the emerging titanium powder metal market. QinetiQ has patented a number of modifi-
cations. Last year it launched a nanopowder production unit (See Metal Powder Report, April 2003). Most titanium components are currently machined from solid ingots, often a costly, wasteful and time-consuming process. However, using titanium powder as the feedstock and adopting powder metallurgy manufacturing processes, complex engineered components can be more competitively produced and with much reduced waste material. Strength and performance are not compromised, and in many cases the cost and time scales of production are reduced. "The existing processes for producing high quality titanium powders start with ingots that cost around £20 per kilogram and significant additional costs are incurred in converting it into powder form," explained Professor Malcolm Ward-Close,
A titanium component with titanium powder and raw white metal oxide feedstock
4
MPR September 2004
Planemakers would like to be able to use nor titanium at the right price. Lighter, more efficient aircraft mean better performance and less pollution. Photograph courtesy Airbus
the QinetiQ lead on the project. "With our process we can go straight to producing titanium alloy powders, from a widely available and inexpensive metal oxide feedstock." The QinetiQ - FFC Cambridge process converts titanium dioxide directly into titanium metal via an electrode oxidation process. It is not confined to producing pure titanium. By mixing other metal oxides with the titanium dioxide during the initial process, a range of alloys, each with specific characteristics, can easily, and cost-effectively be produced. These could include titanium-nickel shape memory and titanium-niobium superconducting alloys. Initial production at QinetiQ's pilot plant is expected to start later this year, with commercial quality powders being available by January 2005. Once fully commissioned, QinetiQ will be able to
supply a wide range of titanium alloy powders at tonnage levels per year. The design of the pilot plant can also be easily scaled with the addition of further units to meet anticipated market demand for affordable titanium alloy powders.
Muscular measurement A new range of wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometers with applications and capabilities tailored to meet the precise needs of specific industries has been introduced by Dutch measurement company PANalytical. The Axios series is robust built to work perfectly in unforgiving, on-site industrial conditions. Consequently, analytical performance is unaffected by heat and dust, assuring users of the precision required, say its makers.
metal-powder.net