Forge welding Ti

[Steinerj]

Will titanium forge weld to, say, 1095? Or anything for that matter.

 

[burke531]

yep but if you are going to try it pay up your fire insurance.

 

[deker]

It's possible, but not at all easy. You have to make certain tat everything is ground flat and perfectly clean, and it needs to be done in an atmosphere with no oxygen of any kind. It's probably possible in a can (haven't tried it yet, waiting to get a press. I know how much of a pain forging Ti is. I HAVE done that part.) but I've heard that some folks have done it in a sealed can with fittings to evacuate the air and replace it with argon.

If you get it to work let us know!

-d

 

[mete]

Explosive bonding will do it !! They've been doing that for years for things like heat exchangers.

 

[A C Richards]

Tigress knives used to make a knife using titanium san mai with a 1095 core. They wound up having problems with rust creeping up between the ti and 1095. The process of making timascus was patented by Chuck Bybee and Tom Ferry. They used an evacuation method with fittings to vent the gas. All done in a sealed can. So the answer is yes but practical ????

 

[fitzo]

Here's a good example: Meshejian

 

[fitzo]

...The process of making timascus was patented by Chuck Bybee and Tom Ferry. .....

For completeness' sake, Bill Cottrell's name is on that patent, too. He goes by Plain Ol Bill on forums.

 

[A C Richards]

That one looks like he used a nickel bonding layer like is being done with the SS san mai with the carbon center. This is one way to overcome the melt point difference of ti (3100f) and steel (2700f).

 

[A C Richards]

I knew someone else was on the paten but could not remember who. Thanks Fitz.

 

[Steinerj]

Thanks for the responses and trampling of my dreams.

 

[burke531]

that is the knife that Mardi has in one of the ddd books. I believe it is the art of the knife. anyway he did it in a can and there is no nickle.

 

[A C Richards]

Don't let us stop you..... Go for it and let us know how you do. We will be waiting with baited breath for your results.

 

[Plain ol Bill]

Fitzo thanks for the credit buddy! Yes, TI can be welded to steels - BUT - like Burke said have your fire insurance paid up in full. I have seen streams of liquid titanium fire squirt out of the "can" during the pressing. Believe me Ti burns at 4000 degrees and is a BITCH to put out.