Production

Production of Titanium

The first step in the production of sponge involves the chlorination of titanium-containing rutile-ore, which is derived from Australian beach sand. Chlorine and coke are combined with the rutile to produce titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄), which is then reacted with magnesium in a closed system. The by-products are sponge and magnesium chloride. Using the Vacuum Distillation Process, or Kroll-leach process, the magnesium and mag chloride are removed to be recycled.

The sponge is melted with scrap and/or alloying elements such as vanadium, aluminum, molybdenum, tin, and zirconium in a Vacuum Arc Reduction furnace (to produce VAR ingots) or in an Electron Beam (EB) Cold Hearth furnace, to produce remelt electrodes which can then be VAR melted (typically to meet aerospace requirements) or direct cast to slabs.

VAR ingots (cylindrical shapes weighing up to 17,500 pounds) are forged to slabs or rectangualr shapes) or billets (bar shapes). Ingots are also used for investment casting stock.

Mill products result from the rolling or further processing of forged or cast slab or billet into titanium plate, sheet (which can be cut into strip and then be formed into tube or pipe), bar, rod, and titanium wire forms.

Technical information

Titanium Weight Formulas

Round

Lbs per linear foot = 1.5369 x dia²

Lbs per linear inch – 0.1281 x dia²

Rectangles/Squares (width = thickness)

Lbs per linear foot = 1.9568 x thickness x width

Lbs per linear inch = 0.1631 x thickness x width

Circles (Disks)

Lbs per linear foot = 1.6211 x dia²

Lbs per linear inch = 0.1351 x dia²

Lbs per piece = thickness x input² x 0.128

Rings

Weight of Rings in Lbs =

Sheet/Plate

Lbs/Square Foot = Thickness x 23.472

Weight per piece = Thickness x width x length x 0.163

Pipe/Tubing

Lbs/Square Foot = Thickness x 23.472

W = 6.14 (OD-T)T

Skelp Size: (OD-T) x 3.14

W = weight in lbs/ft

OD = outer diameter in inches

T = thickness of the tube wall in inch