Identifying challenges to the commercial viability of direct powder rolled titanium: A systematic review and market analysis

Abstract

A systematic review of factors affecting the viability of direct powder rolling (DPR) as a process route for producing low-cost titanium metal strips was conducted by consolidating performance and process data from published research. Included is a market analysis that was performed by sourcing price points from powder and wrought product suppliers. As a result of the typical oxygen levels (>0.2 wt %) in low-cost powders, the performance of the DPR product is estimated at best to be comparable to ASTM grade 3 and 4 wrought products. Furthermore, evidence supporting chlorine levels >0.02 wt % in low-cost (non-melt) commercially available powders suggest poor weldability, which restricts the application of DPR titanium strips. A comparison of price points for powder and wrought products showed that the potential for commercial viability is likely to exist only for thin gauge strips of <1 mm thickness, as the cost advantage diminishes as the strip thickness increases. Based on the DPR product profile identified in this study (thin gauge, non-weldable, grade 3 or 4), the potential product applications are severely limited. The inability to reliably meet the properties of grade 2 metal strips excludes many uses of titanium metal strips. Consequently, it is emphasized that efforts need to be directed at improving the quality of low-cost powders and developing rolling practices to produce thicker gauge metal strips with desirable properties.