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Titanium

TA6V4 - GRADE 5 - HB 135 - 103 HBR - 271 HV

TA6V alloy, known for its low density, superior corrosion resistance, and strong mechanical properties, is the most prevalent titanium alloy. It stands out from grade 23 (TA6V4ELI) due to its increased oxygen content. This alloy is primarily used in manufacturing structural components, engine parts, and aeronautical fasteners. Its exceptional corrosion resistance makes TA6V4 ideal for marine environments, surface treatment, and deck fittings industries.

 STEP 1: CUTTING THE WORKPIECE 

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Wet abrasive cutting stands out as the most suitable method for materialographic cutting due to its minimal impact on the specimen in relation to the processing time. This technique involves the use of a cut-off wheel comprising abrasive particles and a binder.

DURING THE PROCEDURE

 STEP 2: MOUNTING 

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RECOMMENDED

We recommend you to mount your samples the most convenient way, giving attention to the heat resistance of the sample material, although, if a mounting press is unavailable, cold mounting becomes the sole viable option. Conversely, with access to a mounting press, the selection of mounting material can be refined based on specific attributes.

A crucial factor to consider is the abrasion rate, which denotes the speed at which material is ground or polished away. Ideally, the chosen mounting material should closely match the abrasion rate of the sample material. It is essential to recognize that the abrasion rate differs from the hardness of the sample.

As for the resin needs, we recommend the use of Epoxy resin as Epoxies offer a robust mounting solution with high resistance to chemicals and abrasion. Although they typically require a longer setup time compared to other castable materials, they exhibit superior flow and minimal shrinkage properties. For mounting challenging samples, long-cure epoxies are employed, and they can be introduced into a vacuum environment to eliminate trapped air and address voids.

IN THE END

If necessary, calibrate the sample with a coarser grit to make sure flat surface is achieved. The workpiece should be perfectly flat.

 STEP 3: PLANAR GRINDING AND LAPPING 

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RECOMMENDED

When working with a flat sample, the 40 µm abrasive is the first step in the grinding process for Titanium Grade 5.

If the sample is not flat, you should start with a coarser grit in order to get a flat surface. It's crucial to remember that the diameter of the sample determines the amount of force that is used during grinding; in this case, the sample is 30 mm in diameter. It's also advised to turn the plate and sample holder in a clockwise direction to avoid causing the sample undue damage.

Pre-polishing is not neccessairy in this step for this material.

 STEP 4: PRE-POLISHING AND POLISHING 

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A 9 µm abrasive is used as the starting point for the Titanium Grade 5 polishing processes.

Then, after the 9 µm, a 2 µm abrasive is utilized. The sample diameter determines the force that is used during polishing; the sample that is being used has a diameter of 30 mm. It's imperative that every scratch points in the same direction; otherwise, you'll need to go back and redo the previous step.

 STEP 5: FINAL POLISH 

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Finally, a suitable pad with a colloidal silica solution is utilized to clean and execute the last polishing step, providing a mirror-like finish to the Titanium sample.

Materialography

The term materialography used today is a factual extension of metallography, which include many other groups of materials, such as ceramics, plastics and composite materials that are examined in the same way.​ Materialography is the science of examining a material's microstructure, which is its internal composition at a microscopic level. By polishing and analyzing a material's surface, materialography helps engineers understand properties like strength, corrosion resistance, and potential failure points.