Iron titanium powder is an engineering material composed of iron and titanium that offers a unique combination of outstanding properties. This in-depth guide covers all key aspects of iron titanium powder – from metallurgy and composition, to critical properties, processing methods, and typical applications across major industries.
Overview of Iron Titanium Powder
Iron titanium powder, sometimes referred as FeTi or iron-titanium alloys, is composed mainly of iron (Fe) and titanium (Ti) metals. It is produced in powder form through specialized atomization processes.
Key attributes that make iron titanium an excellent functional material include:
- Extremely soft magnetic properties
- High saturation induction
- Good temperature stability
- Low coercivity
- High resistivity
- Low eddy current losses
- Excellent oxidation and corrosion resistance
Its unique properties enable usage in electromagnetic, electronic, and electric power applications where high inductance, low losses, stability and strength matter.
Composition of Iron Titanium Powder
| Material | Weight % Range |
|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | 40% – 60% |
| Titanium (Ti) | Balance |
Availability in various iron-to-titanium ratios along with tight powders size distributions allows precise tuning to application requirements.
Properties of Iron Titanium Powder
Understanding key properties aids in materials selection for different operating conditions.
Physical and Mechanical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 4.3 – 5.0 g/cm3 |
| Young’s Modulus | 120-160 GPa |
| Poission Ratio | ~0.32 |
| Tensile Strength | 250-450 MPa |
| Compressive Strength | 500-650 MPa |
Thermal and Electrical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Electrical Resistivity | 70-90 μΩ.cm |
| Thermal Conductivity | 15-25 W/m.K |
| Curie Temperature | 350°C |
| Saturation Induction | 1.7-2.2 T |
Chemical Resistance Properties
Excellent resistance to:
- Oxidation and corrosion
- Acids and alkalis
- Organic solvents
- Humidity and moisture
- High temperatures
This versatility supports use in harsh application environments.
Processing Methods for Iron Titanium Powder
Iron titanium powder is manufactured using water atomization methods. The process involves:
- Induction melting iron and titanium under vacuum
- Pouring the molten alloy stream into high pressure water jets
- Rapid solidification into fine spherical powders
- Screening to tight size distributions
- Annealing for optimal magnetic properties
Precise control over production parameters like melt stream flow rate, water pressure, temperature and atomizing nozzle design allows tailoring powder characteristics.
Typical Size Distribution
Iron titanium powders are available from very fine to coarse particle sizes:
| Mesh Size | Micrometers |
|---|---|
| -635 | 20 μm |
| -325 | 40 μm |
| -100 | 150 μm |
| -50 | 300 μm |
Both standard and custom particle sizes are possible to meet requirements.
Iron Titanium Powder Applications
Key applications taking advantage of iron titanium’s special material properties include:
Electromagnetic Applications
- Solenoid cores
- Linear motor armatures
- Actuators
- Magnetic bearings
- Inductors and chokes
Electronic Applications
- Noise suppression sheets
- EMI/RFI shielding
- Antenna cores
- Flyback transformers
- Switching power supplies
Electric Motor Applications
- Motor laminations
- Rotating machinery
- Generator rotor sleeves
- Ultra efficient motors
- Traction motors
Emerging Application Spaces
- Wireless charging
- Electric vehicles
- Renewable energy
- Smart grid infrastructure
- Defense and aerospace
Both new and mature industries continue finding new ways to implement iron titanium powder in their most demanding components and sub-systems.
Specifications and Grades
Understanding powder characteristics enables proper material selection.
Typical Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Composition | 40-60% Fe , Balance Ti |
| Particle Shape | Spherical |
| Apparent Density | 2.5-3.5 g/cm3 |
| Tap Density | 3.5-4.5 g/cm3 |
| Hausner Ratio | <1.25 |
| Flow Rate | 15-25 s/50g |
| Particle Hardness | 250-450 HV |
Iron Titanium Powder Grades
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| FT-1X | ~Fe-50Ti : General purpose |
| FT-2X | ~Fe-40Ti: High induction |
| FT-3X | ~Fe-60Ti: Improved stability |
| FT-4X | Client specified |
Grades enable balancing magnetic performance, temperature ratings, and cost for intended operating environments.
Suppliers and Pricing
As an engineered advanced material, connecting with specialized suppliers is key to sourcing high performance iron titanium powder.
Leading Iron Titanium Powder Manufacturers & Suppliers
| Company | Location |
|---|---|
| Magnequench | Singapore |
| AMF | United States |
| Hitachi Metals | Japan |
| TDK | Japan |
| Vacuumschmelze GmBH (VAC) | Germany |
Price Ranges
| Powder Grade | Price per Kg |
|---|---|
| FT-1X | $55 – $120 |
| FT-2X | $95 – $180 |
| FT-3X | $135 – $250 |
| FT-4X | Quoted case-by-case |
Pricing varies based on order volumes, particle size distribution, composition targets, and purity levels.
Pros vs Cons of Iron Titanium Powder
Understanding key trade-offs against alternatives aids selection.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely high saturation induction | Lower tensile strength than silicon steels |
| Temperature stable properties | Brittle material behavior |
| Corrosion and oxidation resistant | Susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement |
| Wide range of permeabilities available | Requires protective atmosphere processing |
| Lower cost than amorphous and nanocrystallines | More expensive than ferrites |
For most electromagnetic and electric machine applications, the profoundly soft magnetic behavior at excellent efficiency outweighs the mechanical limitation – making this a material of choice over a range of competing options.
FAQs
Q: Is iron titanium powder compatible with 3D printing?
A: Yes, iron titanium powder can be used in binder jetting and other metal additive manufacturing processes to fabricate complex soft magnetic components without facing limitations of conventional manufacturing.
Q: What is the difference between iron titanium and vanadium iron titanium?
A: Adding a small amount of Vanadium (V) enhances temperature stability further by raising the Curie point. However the saturation magnetization drops slightly. Evaluate trade-offs for the operating environment.
Q: Can iron titanium be drawn into wire?
A: While challenging, specialized wire drawing processes with appropriate lubricants allows creation of ultra-thin iron titanium wire for niche applications. Reduce area reductions per pass and anneal regularly.
Q: Is iron titanium affected by cryogenic temperatures?
A: No, iron titanium maintains consistent magnetic behavior and mechanical integrity without becoming brittle or altered down to extremely cold cryogenic temperatures – making it suitable for special low temperature applications.
Conclusion
With its extremely soft magnetic properties, high induction, temperature stability and excellent corrosion resistance, iron titanium powder provides unique capabilities unmatched by any competing material. It enables next-generation electric machines and power electronic systems to reach groundbreaking dimensions of efficiency, power density and reliability. This technical guide serves as a starting point when evaluating if iron titanium is the right solution for your electromagnetic or electronic design needs. Please connect with an engineering material expert for further insights and assistance tailoring powder characteristics to your exacting application requirements.