Industrial application of titanium hydride powder

A revolutionary new approach for manufacturing the hydrogenated titanium powder was developed by ADMA Products, Inc. in cooperation with PNNL and Ukrainian partners. Its key feature is integration of titanium production and its hydrogenation in one continuous cycle, including reduction of TiCl4, vacuum distillation, and hydrogenation of the sponge block in the same vessel upon cooling from the distillation temperature. The use of hydrogen during the reduction stage significantly shortens successive vacuum distillation stage and allows lower distillation temperature. Distillation is done in such a way that hydrogenation/dehydrogenation steps follow each other several times, resulting in a highly developed porosity and cracking due to an 18% difference in titanium and titanium hydride densities . The use of hydrogenated titanium powder improves the properties of titanium alloy components due to the cleaning effect of hydrogen, activated densification, and homogenization of powder compacts. The combination of excellent mechanical properties achieved through the use of hydrogenated titanium powder will contribute to a wider acceptance of solid state powder metallurgy processes and promote the use of PM titanium alloys in various critical applications.