Development of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Ingot by using 2000kW Electron Beam Cold-Hearth Melting and Refining (EBCHM) Furnace

摘要

The large size Electron Beam Cold-Hearth Melting & Refining (EBCHM) furnace of the Hitachi Plant of Toho Titanium Co is the first of its kind in Japan. It has a power capability of 2000kW and has been used principally to produce CP titanium ingots for sheet, bars etc. The feed is sponge, chips and related scrap. Two mold types are used; 10T 675mmX1370mm and 8.5T 700mmX1000mm. Until recently only CP titanium was produced due to the perceived difficulty in controlling vaporizable elements, such as aluminum. In 2001 it was decided to expand our technology into producing alloys with the purpose of utilizing the advantages of EBCHM in scrap utilization and in the removal of HDI defects etc. We have now to report success in producing alloys with a uniform chemical composition by strict control of operational valuables. It is planned to produce EBCHM alloy ingots following good evaluation results on mill properties obtained by our customers.