Shot In The Dark Re: Welding Titanium

[Stoney74]

Anyone in here no anything about the feasibility of welding titanium tubing?  I'm assuming TIG is required.  I know there are several different types of alloys out there so looking for one that is comparable to 4130 steel and its properties vs. 4130.  Also, looking for suppliers that sale the stuff retail.  I've got an aircraft project in mind that may lend itself to titanium components if they can be fabricated.

[Roscoroo]

Tig welder and it needs to be fully covered/surrounded with an inert atmosphere .

As in you either need in it a box with  argon (inert gas) flowing in , or with a gas plate underneath ... and doing it this way you have to always hold the torch over the work (welded ) area and let post gas flow go over the weld to keep impurity's out as it cools  ...

This type of welding takes a fair amount of practice and if not done correctly will leave a brittle weld  or a weakened Strength of the Titanium  .


its about the same a welding stainless but more critical .

it goes in grades from 1 - 4 with grade 4 being the strongest.

the 50 other grades are Alloy's ....and i dont recall all them off the top of the head .

Its a pain in the tail to work with , Fabrication /milling of it takes 10 times longer then other metals .

Add ;; here this may help . http://www.msm.cam.ac.uk/phase-trans/2003/titanium.movies/titanium.html

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Unless you are an absolute expert in Titanium welding, you'd do well to avoid trying to use it when building your project. The only book I know of that deals with it in any detail at all is Richard Finch's book "Performance Welding". Finch is regarded as one of the foremost experts in the field, as he is a NASA consultant, and re-wrote the FAA guide to welding for fabricators and inspectors. He has built aircraft and race cars, I have yet to find a better qualified expert. Finch says Titanium is best left to the true experts, and it requires a chamber filled with inert gas, as well as some serious TIG equipment. I'm betting you'll find Titanium to be both cost and labor prohibitive.

[storch]

what the others have said welding titanium requires practice to get it right and the margin for error is great.  it's a good idea to pre and post gas the weld. obtaining proper penetration even on thin walled material takes time.  you need really soft hands and a good eye for this type of work.  I suggest you call the pipe fitters and welder's union and hire someone who has done work with aircraft engine manufacturers or repair shops.  good luck.

[Stoney74]

Thanks Gents