Daido Steel Co., Ltd. (President : Takeshi Ishiguro) has registered the vanadium^(*1)-free high-strength titanium alloy DAT57M as Grade 41 in the standard ASTMB348/B348M (Standard Specification of Titanium and Titanium Alloy Bars and Billets) of the American Society for Testing and Materials International. The DAT57M has been highly evaluated for its practical use and mass production, and has been registered this time. This is the first time that the titanium alloy developed by us has been registered in the ASTM standards.
Mechanical properties of DAT57M (Ti-6Al-1Fe : Titanium alloy with 6% Aluminum and 1% Iron) has the same levels compared with those of Ti-6Al-4V (Titanium Alloy with 6% Aluminum and 4% Vanadium) and DAT57M is a low density titanium alloy. This titanium alloy does not contain vanadium as rare metal, so it is expected to be a titanium alloy that contributes to SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) in place of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. With this ASTM standard registration as an opportunity, we will create an environment where DAT57M can be applied to various applications.

1．Background

For many years, we have been supplying titanium and titanium alloy products in the shape of bars and wire rods, and we have been energetically promoting the development of various titanium and titanium alloys. DAT57M was developed in 2005 as a high strength α + β type ^(*2) titanium alloy with mechanical properties equivalent to Ti-6Al-4V alloys, and with lower density alloy than Ti-6Al-4V. It has been used for golf club applications.

2. Features of Grade 41

• Vanadium free : It does not contain vanadium as a rare metal.
  It is composed of titanium, aluminum and iron, which are mainly mined from the crust.
• Low density : The density of Grade41 is 4.39 and is lower than that of Ti-6Al-4V of 4.43.
  It is possible to reduce the weight.
• Mechanical properties : Tensile strength and fatigue strength of Grade41 are same levels compared with those of Ti-6Al-4V.
• Manufacturability : Hot workability and machinability of Grade41 are same levels compared with those of Ti-6Al-4V.

3．Application field of Grade41

• Automotive parts, Fasteners, Plant’s parts, Consumer’s Markets such as sports and leisure, and so on.

4．Contribution to SDGs

12-2. By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

• Rare metal-free titanium alloy without vanadium addition.
• Grade41 is possible to utilize scrap and takes into considering depleted alloying elements.

9-4. By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.

• It is expected that technological innovations such as environmental consideration and high performance of products using Grade41 through engaging in rare metal free, considering resources by utilizing scraps, and providing high-strength and low-density.

DAT is a registered trademark of Daido Steel Co., Ltd.

Glossary

＊1 Vanadium
One of rare metal
By addition it in titanium, hardness and tensile strength increase.
Especially wear resistance is improved.
＊2 α+β type
Titanium alloys are classified in according to composed phase.
α phase is a hexagonal closed pack structure, and β phase is a body centered cubic structure.
Titanium alloys coexisted α-phase and β-phase are called α+β type alloy.
α+β type titanium alloys have heat resistance and good hot-workability