QuesTek Innovations (Norsk Titanium G-IVL Rapid Plasma Deposition (RPD) machine)

2019: Printing of a titanic wire of QuesTek

On June 17, 2019 there was information that Norsk Titanium (Norsk) within the cooperation with QuesTek Innovations company announced in July, 2018 performed printing of a special titanic wire of QuesTek in support of initial testing of properties of material.

QuesTek carried out the careful assessment of a microstructure and measurement of qualities in different conditions of thermal influence, including different combinations of removal of tension and processing on solid solution. The qualities exceeding qualities Ti-6-4 were shown.

The highest rates were received as a result of basic hourly processing on solid solution when measurements showed mean value of strength of 147 ksi and an average value of stretching of 18%. Concerning the Ti-6Al-4V standard it means increase in level both durability, and distensibility when preserving fatigue characteristics.

The titanium alloy of QuesTek company having high characteristics allows clients of Norsk to optimize components which are printed using Norsk Titanium RPD process, and opens doors for new applications — the chief technologist of Norsk Carl Johnson noted.

The typical microstructure of Ti-6Al-4V has structure α/β, consisting of packets of parallel α-levels while QuesTek titanium alloy is martensitic structure α' with morphology of "basket weaving" martensitic created α' - plates. It is considered that nonparallel and more distinguished nature of lamellar martensitic structure in QuesTek alloy provides more high strength and plasticity in comparison with more rough parallel α-levels of Ti-6Al-4V Ti-6Al-4V. QuesTek doping element promotes the best reaction to heat treatment that profitable affects characteristics of durability and distensibility.

Norsk and QuesTek are going to hold additional testing, performing interaction with producers of aviation equipment and power units for the best profitability analysis of this alloy.^[1]

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