Investigating Optimum Parameters Required for Coiling Green Titanium Strips

Titanium parts production using conventional processes is unarguably a costly process. Direct powder rolling process has shown its ability to produce titanium metal strips of various thicknesses and lengths. The present investigation aims to study optimum process parameters such as roll gap, roll set width and roll speed, and their influence on the coilability of green titanium strips. The study was conducted for roll gaps of 0.1mm, 0.3mm and 0.5mm for varying roll speeds of 5rpm, 10rpm and 15rpm. The roll set width was varied between 16mm and 50mm. Powders of Ti sponge (-1mm), TiHDH 100mesh, TiH2 CHI 100mesh and TiH2 AG 100mesh were roll compacted. Coiling of the green strips was achieved at a roll gap of 0.3mm, 5rpm roll speed for set widths of 16mm and 50mm in powders of Ti sponge. Powders of TiH2 displayed poor rollability and could not be coiled. TiHDH green strips could not be coiled due to the brittle nature of the strips. At smaller roll gap of 0.1mm, highest densities and HV (Vickers Microhardness) values were realised, followed by 0.3mm and 0.5mm roll gaps. Highest densities and HV values were realised in TiHDH followed by Ti sponge, TiH2 CHI 100mesh and TiH_2 AG 100mesh. The results of the study also indicated that the roll speed has a profound effect on the densities and HV values, with optimum rolling speed being at 10rpm. The densities and HV values at 16mm set width were higher than those at 50mm set width.