Ferrous or non ferrous that is the question

[SignWave]

I read somewhere just a couple of days ago that Titanium was listed as a ferrous metal. I belive this is incorrect. Titanium is a transition metal.

My definition of a ferrous metal is that is will be magnetic and contains iron even though some nonferrous metals are in themselves magnetic and some ferrous metal are not magnetic.

My definition of (most) non ferrous metal is that they are not magnetic unless an electromagnetic force is applied and it does not contain Iron.

I beleive that persons definition of titanium to be incorrect.

Anyone here work with Ti ?

[diamondback]

ferrite

SignWave,
You have asked an interesting question which like many welding related questions the answer is yes and no. Titanium in it's pure form is Titanium, just like iron is iron and aluminum is aluminum. The change happens when we alloy the pure element to change it's physical properties. Let's hit a couple popular ones.

An alpha phase stabilizer such as aluminum will actually substitute some of the Titanium in the solution. It's effect pushes the alloy to have a body centered crystaline structure when it is in steel, which means it is a ferrite former. Other ferrite formers are chromium, molybdenum, niobium silicon tungsten, vanadium and manganese. And the list goes on.

Other elements fall into Gamma phase stabilizers and become interstitial or combine with the Titanium without replacing it and they favor the formation of an austenitic steel structure. The elements are carbon, cobalt,nickel, nitrogen and manganese. You may have noticed that manganese made it on both lists the difference while actually lengthy and very detailed I will sum it up by saying the temperature which it is introduced and the amount of chromium present both have large impacts on it's function. Manganese is a great element to use due to it's relatively low cost and it's effect on the final structure in which it makes the material tougher or more resistant to fracture.

So you can see that the answer is sometimes yes and sometimes no. Now how do you as a welder know when it is one over the other. That information must come from the manufacturer and once you get use to identifying the structure and working with it Titanium is a blast.

[SignWave]

Thanks DB.
Now where do I find the knowledge you used to reply to my query.
I'd like to have this information on hand.

Thank you for your detailed answer. Much appreciated.

Rich.

[Propulsion]

I enjoy welding Titanium alot more then forming and machining it.


Pics of 6AL4V hose fittings that I machined and welded up.

[diamondback]

where do I find it.

The information from above was sourced mainly in AWS welding metallurgy by Linnert in volume 1. If you are going to read it have alot of water on hand to pour in your eyes. It will make them feel like arc flash but the information is incredible.

[SignWave]

My guess is...

Thanks once more DB. I'll go to the library armed with fluids.

Propulsion,
nice fittings. I guess that they are quick release hydrualics or fuel.
I dunno. Im pretty sure the application is areospace.
Correct me if im wrong

have you ever seen the likes of this:

[[email protected]]

nice

nice TI work. I enjoy seeing what an artist can do. When I see some of the work displayed here. I feel qualified only to sweep the shop floor.

[SignWave]

nice TI work. I enjoy seeing what an artist can do. When I see some of the work displayed here. I feel qualified only to sweep the shop floor.

hehehe, move over, share the broom