US 6,139,659 A · Titanium alloy made brake rotor and its manufacturing method

Abstract

Modern brake rotors require enhanced resistance to thermal stress in order to withstand vigorous operating conditions. A brake rotor manufactured from (.alpha.+.beta.) titanium alloy will fulfill the thermal stress requirements when an equiaxed grain structure is imposed on the alloy. The equiaxed grains can preferably range from 300 .mu.m to 3 mm in size. The equiaxed grain structure is attained by heat treating the brake rotor at the .beta. phase transformation temperature, followed by quenching. When Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy is used to form the brake rotor, .beta. phase transformation temperature is 1000.degree. C. the heat treatment temperature range is 986-1200.degree. C. The preferable heat treatment for Ti-6Al-4V alloy is 1050.degree. C. for 2 hours.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method of manufacturing a titanium alloy brake rotor having a metal structure composed of a (.alpha.+.beta.) phase and containing equiaxed grains, whereby deformation against thermal stress is reduced, said method comprising the following steps:

providing the brake rotor comprised of the (.alpha.+.beta.) phase titanium alloy;
heat treating the (.alpha.+.beta.) titanium alloy at a .beta. phase-transformation temperature;
and
quenching the (.alpha.+.beta.) titanium alloy to form a metal structure composed of
a (.alpha.+.beta.) phase and containing equiaxed grains, wherein the equiaxed grains are from about 200 .mu.m to 4 mm in size.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

09/121,873Filed 24 Jul 1998 · division

Priority

JP 8-08596115 Mar 1996

Granted

31 Oct 2000

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

C22F 1/183
High-melting or refractory metals or alloys based thereon: of titanium or alloys based thereon
F16D 65/12
Braking members; Mounting thereof: discs; Drums for disc brakes
F16D 65/123
Discs; Drums for disc brakes: comprising an annular disc secured to a hub member; Discs characterised by means for mounting
F16D 65/125
Discs; Drums for disc brakes: characterised by the material used for the disc body

Titanium alloy made brake rotor and its manufacturing method

Life of this patent

Titanium alloy made brake rotor and its manufacturing method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11