Continuous Production of Pure Titanium with Ultrafine to Nanocrystalline Microstructure

This work deals with the application of the Conform SPD (Severe Plastic Deformation) continuous extrusion process for ultrafine to nanostructured pure titanium production. The process has been derived from the Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) technique but, unlike ECAP, it offers continuous production of high-strength wire. This study describes the Conform SPD process combined with subsequent cold working (rotary swaging technique), its potential for commercial application, and the properties of high-strength wires of pure titanium. High-strength wire of titanium Grade 4 is the product. Titanium Grade 4 reaches ultimate strengths up to 1320 MPa. This value is more than twice the ultimate strength of the unprocessed material. The typical grain size upon processing ranges from 200 to 500 nm. Process development supported by FEM analysis together with detailed microstructure characterization accompanied by mechanical properties investigation is presented.