Research on Explosive Hardening of Titanium Grade 2

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Metallurgy
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Titanium Grade 2 is a widely used alloy with good properties.
• Improving its mechanical characteristics, such as tensile strength, is of significant interest.
• Explosive hardening is an advanced technique for material modification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of different explosive materials on Titanium Grade 2 properties.
• To quantify the improvements in tensile strength and microhardness.
• To assess the impact of explosive treatment on corrosion resistance.

Main Methods:

• Titanium Grade 2 samples were treated using ammonal, emulsion explosives, and plastic-bonded explosives (PBX).
• Microhardness testing was performed to evaluate surface hardening.
• Microstructure analysis, tensile testing, and corrosion testing were conducted.

Main Results:

• A 40% increase in tensile strength was achieved using plastic-bonded explosives (PBX).
• Microhardness of the titanium alloy increased after explosive treatment.
• Corrosion resistance showed a slight decrease, with a corrosion rate change below 0.1µm/year.

Conclusions:

• Explosive hardening, particularly with PBX, is an effective method for significantly increasing the tensile strength of Titanium Grade 2.
• The observed reduction in corrosion resistance is minimal and does not compromise the material's overall performance.
• Surface geometry changes induced by the shock wave are the likely cause for the slight decrease in corrosion resistance.