Thermomechanical treatment of Ti 6-2-2-2-2

Claim 1

A method of treating Ti 6-2-2-2-2 alloy to enhance the tensile strength thereof, comprising the steps of: heating a work piece of the alloy to a temperature in the range of between approximately 1500 degrees F. and 1750 degrees F.; and subjecting the heated work piece to mechanical strain in the range of between approximately 1×10 -4 and 1×10 -2 inch per inch per second.

Claim 2

A method of treating Ti 6-2-2-2-2 alloy to enhance the tensile strength thereof, comprising the steps of: heating a work piece of the alloy to a temperature in the range of between approximately 1500 degrees F. and 1750 degrees F.; and subjecting the heated work piece to mechanical strain in the range of between approximately 1×10 -4 and 1×10 -2 inch per inch per second.

Claim 11

A method of enhancing the tensile strength of Ti 6-2-2-2-2 alloy, comprising the steps of; providing a quantity of the Ti 6-2-2-2-2 alloy in the form of a sheet having a thickness of between approximately 0.040 inches and 0.187 inches; placing a die on a bottom wall of an upwardly opening forming chamber having side walls with upper edges; positioning the part blank over the die; providing a cover for closing the chamber, the cover having a peripheral seal extending around a periphery thereof; heating the part blank to a temperature of between approximately 1500 degrees F. and 1750 degrees F. at which it exhibits superplasticity; introducing a pressurized gas into an interior formed between the part blank and the closed cover to press the part blank and form it around the die during which the part blank is subjected to mechanical strain in the range of between approximately 1×10 -4 and 1×10 -2 inch per inch per second; releasing the pressurized gas from between the closed cover and the part blank; lifting the cover and removing the formed part blank from the die; allowing the formed part blank to cool to ambient temperature; subjecting the formed part to a heat treatment to further modify its strength and ductility; and machining the formed part blank to remove any excess portions thereof.

Claim 12

A method of enhancing the tensile strength of Ti 6-2-2-2-2 alloy, comprising the steps of; providing a quantity of the Ti 6-2-2-2-2 alloy in the form of a sheet having a thickness of between approximately 0.040 inches and 0.187 inches; placing a die on a bottom wall of an upwardly opening forming chamber having side walls with upper edges; positioning the part blank over the die; providing a cover for closing the chamber, the cover having a peripheral seal extending around a periphery thereof; heating the part blank to a temperature of between approximately 1500 degrees F. and 1750 degrees F. at which it exhibits superplasticity; introducing a pressurized gas into an interior formed between the part blank and the closed cover to press the part blank and form it around the die during which the part blank is subjected to mechanical strain in the range of between approximately 1×10 -4 and 1×10 -2 inch per inch per second; releasing the pressurized gas from between the closed cover and the part blank; lifting the cover and removing the formed part blank from the die; allowing the formed part blank to cool to ambient temperature; subjecting the formed part to a heat treatment to further modify its strength and ductility; and machining the formed part blank to remove any excess portions thereof.