.beta.-annealing of titanium alloys

Abstract

Capitalizing on the unique feature of our induction heating workcell that permits rapid and controlled heating and cooling of a workpiece within a wide temperature range permits combining several manufacturing operations into a single heating cycle to save time, energy, capital, touch labor, and factory space. For example, we can combine superplastic forming (SPF) with brazing, two operations that occur at temperatures that differ by about 150-200.degree. F. (85-105-C.) or more, to produce quality parts. Or, we can combine SPF with .beta.-annealing; of titanium. Finally, we can combine forming, brazing, and annealing into an economical single cycle. Illustrating our combined cycles, we produce multisheet SPF parts with braze joints at selected locations with improved energy efficiency and at lower cost by heating the multisheet pack to its superplastic forming range below the melting point of the braze alloy, superplastically forming the pack to define braze joints having unmelted braze alloy; increasing the temperature to the braze temperature of the braze alloy, and cooling the pack below the superplastic range to freeze the braze alloy in the braze joint.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.